Job Description
This is an exciting opportunity for a nurse with experience in palliative care to join a growing team dedicated to helping people be in control of the end-of-life decisions.
About Compassion in Dying and the information line service
At Compassion in Dying, we want people to be in control of their end-of-life decisions because no one is better to make them. We support people to make informed decisions, start honest conversations about death and dying with loved ones, and record and revisit their wishes whenever they want to.
Many people tell us they want to be in charge of decisions about their care and treatment, but struggle to access clear information or encounter reluctance to have open conversations about death and dying. Our nurse-led information line exists to change that. We enable people to plan ahead and to be in control of their end-of-life decisions, including in situations where they may no longer be able to make decisions for themselves.
Demand for the service consistently exceeds capacity. We are therefore expanding our clinical team and are looking for two experienced nurses to provide verbal and written information and support that is accurate, clear and practical.
This is an exciting opportunity for a nurse with experience in palliative care and excellent communication skills, able to convey complex information in a straightforward and sensitive way by phone and email. This new permanent role offers the opportunity to contribute to the growth of an expanding information service that delivers direct support and drives improvements in practice.
Role purpose
Respond to enquiries to Compassion in Dying s information service, using clinical knowledge to provide appropriate information and support.
Promote patient choice and autonomy by enabling people to make informed decisions about their care and treatment, now and in the future, or to advocate for someone close to them.
Provide specialist information on advance care planning, supporting people to plan ahead and record their wishes for end-of-life care and treatment.
Contribute to the development of information resources for the public and professionals.
Key responsibilities
Information service
Respond promptly to enquiries to Compassion in Dying s information line by phone, email and letter.
Provide clear, accurate information in plain English.
Support people to complete advance care planning documents, including Advance Decisions, Advance Statements and with queries about Lasting Powers of Attorney for Health and Welfare.
Equip people with an understanding of the law and best practice to enable them to advocate for themselves or loved ones in best-interest decision-making meetings.
Manage casework, including arranging and responding to follow-up calls and emails for people requiring ongoing support.
Listen carefully to people s experiences, ensuring they feel heard, understood and acknowledged.
Support people to feel confident asking relevant questions and discussing care options with health professionals, or doing so on behalf of someone who lacks capacity.
Be comfortable discussing end-of-life issues and respond to enquiries in a professional and sensitive manner.
Maintain awareness of other organisations services and sources of support.
Share learning from the people we support across the organisation, including with policy, media, and marketing and fundraising teams.
Identify callers who may be appropriate and willing to act as case studies.
Act in accordance with all relevant Compassion in Dying policies, including safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion and data protection.
Information quality and continuous improvement
Ensure responses are based on the latest guidance and best practice, acting as a subject expert for other teams.
Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge of end-of-life care and decision-making, including patients rights under the mental capacity legislation across the U.K.
Proactively contribute ideas and initiatives that ensure the people we support remain central to organisational development and service delivery.
Professional development
Proactively identify and attend relevant training, study days and conferences, sharing learning across the organisation.
Maintain professional registration and meet revalidation requirements, ensuring ongoing clinical and professional development.
Comply with mandatory training and attend team clinical supervision sessions.
Representing Compassion in Dying externally
Write regular reflections on the role and on themes emerging from the experiences of the people we support, to help inform and improve practice.
Deliver talks and presentations to stakeholders and members of the public, both online and in person.
Raise the profile of Compassion in Dying s Information Service.
Provide teaching and learning sessions to other helpline teams and health and/or social care professionals.
General
Participate in staff meetings, supervision and annual appraisal processes.
Support the Deputy Director of Services, Clinical Lead and Education Lead with team monitoring, training and other tasks as required.
Undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by the Directors of Compassion in Dying.
Act, at all times, in the best interests of Compassion in Dying
Person specification
Experience: Essential
Registered nurse with experience in specialist end-of-life or palliative care.
Commitment to pro-choice principles for all individuals.
Experience of writing complex information for a lay audience.
Experience: Desirable
Experience providing information and support via telephone, email or webchat.
Experience developing policies and procedures for an information line or related service.
Experience of monitoring, recording and analysing data.
Experience of report writing.
Knowledge
Good understanding of the mental capacity legislation across the U.K.
Good understanding of different types of advance care planning documents.
Clear understanding of the boundaries of an information and support role.
Excellent knowledge of current end-of-life healthcare systems and treatment options.
Understanding of confidentiality best practice and data protection.
Skills and Abilities
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and sensitively in plain English.
Ability to manage challenging helpline calls from distressed, anxious, confused or angry individuals with tact and empathy.
Ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team.
Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise work and manage competing demands.
Good IT skills, including databases, spreadsheets, word processing, email and internet use.
Ability to search for, assess and critique scientific and medical evidence.
Willingness to give and receive constructive feedback and to have work peer reviewed.
Values
Commitment to Compassion in Dying s vision and mission.
Commitment to Dignity in Dying s vision and mission.
Organisational behaviours
Leading by example: Motivates others through a professional and positive approach to work.
Trust and respect: Treats others with kindness and respect, values diversity, and listens to understand different perspectives.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively, shares information and supports colleagues to achieve shared goals.
High standards: Strives to deliver work of a consistently high quality.
Responsibility and initiative: Takes ownership of work, uses initiative and takes pride in achievements.
Interview dates: 12th & 13th March 2026
