We are looking for an exceptional and dedicated professional leader to join our Inpatient Unit. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate professional to lead, inspire, and shape a team of Registered Nurses and Healthcare Assistants, delivering outstanding care to patients and their families.

As a key leader within our service you will bring extensive post registration experience, including a previous leadership/ management role in Palliative or a related Community setting, with knowledge of hospice philosophy and the bereavement process. 

You will combine excellent clinical expertise with confident leadership skills, ensuring the safe and effective assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of high standards of patient care. In addition, you will inspire, lead and manage the Inpatient Unit team, encouraging multi-disciplinary teamworking and providing supervision, support and facilitating staff professional development and learning.

Who are we and what do we do?

We are Garden House Hospice Care, the Hospice for North Hertfordshire. We are a multi award-winning hospice that puts the patient at the heart of everything we do. Patients on our inpatient unit are looked after by our specialist team 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We provide support and care to patients with a wide range of symptoms associated with a life-limiting illness, as well as their families. We support our patients by providing symptom control, psychological support and end of life care. Our high nurse-to-patient ratio ensures that patients are able to get the dedicated support that they might need.

What does the Inpatient Unit Manager role involve?

You will play a pivotal role in leading the delivery of safe, high-quality, and compassionate care. You will provide both clinical and operational leadership, ensuring the service runs effectively while supporting patients, families, and staff.

• Responsible for patient safety for those referred and receiving care
• Manage budgets and resources effectively 
• Inspire, lead and manage the IPU team
• Be committed to the overall strategies of the hospice and use these to inform the work plan for the IPU
• Implement national and local guidance, legal frameworks and initiatives, new policies, standards and best practice into clinical practice as agreed and required.
• To be responsible for the management of the 24-hour advice line
• To support with the coordination of referrals within the MDT
• Handle safeguarding, incident management and risk mitigation 
  

What skills do I need for the Inpatient Unit Manager role?

• A valid NMC registration and the right to work in the UK (no visa sponsorship available)
• First level Registered Nurse
• Degree or Masters in leadership or practice knowledge gained in a specialist palliative care setting/related Community setting.
• Extensive post-registration experience, including leadership/management within a palliative care or related community setting
• Experience in specialist palliative and end-of-life care, with a strong understanding of hospice philosophy and the bereavement process
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and support multidisciplinary teams
• Experience in supervision, staff development, and working collaboratively across services, including with volunteers
• Knowledge of clinical governance, patient safety frameworks, and current legislation (e.g. safeguarding, MCA, best interests)
• Experience in the safe management of medicines, including controlled drugs
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines
• Experience of budget and resource management
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a calm, emotionally intelligent, and non-judgemental approach
• A commitment to continuous professional development
  

You will also be:

• A positive role model and supportive leader
• A flexible and adaptable team player
• Confident using IT systems (including electronic patient records such as SystmOne, email, and Microsoft Office)
  

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Why work for Garden House Hospice Care?

• We offer continuation of Pension & Long Service for those transitioning from the NHS, ensuring your career with us is fulfilling both personally and professionally
• We will invest in your development, we believe in nurturing talent! With our strong commitment to training and development, you will receive unparalleled support to thrive in this rewarding role
• We are an award-winning team. We proudly won the Palliative Care Team Award at the Palliative and End of Life Care Awards. This accolade recognises our extraordinary efforts to enhance quality of life for those we serve - join a team that is truly making an impact
• You will work alongside motivated multi-disciplinary teams in a supportive atmosphere. Our low patient-to-nurse ratio means you can focus on providing the highest standards of individualised care.

Interested?

When applying you should read the Job Description carefully and in your cover letter, explain where you meet our requirements. 

Closing date for applications: 22nd May 2026. Please note that we are actively reviewing applications and interviews will be held on a rolling basis. The ad may close early if a successful candidate is found. Whilst we’d love to get back to everyone who applies to our roles, we will only be in touch if your application is successful, if you have not heard from us within 28 days, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Garden House Hospice Care are proud to be committed to be disability confident and reasonable adjustments will be made for applicants with disabilities.

We can only accept applications from candidates with the Right to Work and already living in the UK. Safeguarding is of paramount importance to us; all successful candidates are required to undergo a DBS check and pre-employment checks regardless of role.