Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
References
Accomplishments
Training
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Rachel King

Horsham,West Sussex

Summary

I have been a nurse for nearly 16 years working across the acute and charity sector. Over the past 11 years I have worked in the palliative care setting in both nursing and senior leadership roles

I have strong clinical skills and deep understanding of patient care. I have exceptional communication abilities and problem-solving expertise. Dedicated to improving patient outcomes and fostering supportive healthcare environment.

I am passionate about improving patient care through evidence based practice and research.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work history

Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist

St. Barnabas House Hospice
Worthing, West Sussex
10.2023 - 07.2025
  • Delivered palliative and end-of-life care to patients in home settings across West Sussex.
  • Supported patients and families in managing complex physical, psychological, and spiritual needs.
  • Conducted high-level assessments to develop management plans, including medication change recommendations to GPs.
  • Completed independent prescribing course, enabling future medication prescription capabilities.
  • Liaised with multidisciplinary teams, including oncology, GPs, community nursing, and social care professionals.
  • Collaborated with senior leadership to formulate and implement service development initiatives.
  • Mentored junior staff and supported individuals in development roles to enhance skills.

Head of Service

St. Barnabas House Hospice
Worthing, West Sussex
08.2023 - 10.2023
  • Delivered compassionate and strategic senior leadership support to hospice in-patient unit and family support team.
  • Managed a team of approximately 50 staff across nursing, social work, counselling, and chaplaincy.
  • Conducted performance management processes, including addressing sickness issues.
  • Ensured patient safety through collaboration with quality and risk teams.
  • Coordinated training programs for staff development.
  • Fostered a positive, kind and compassionate work environment, boosting team morale.
  • Strengthened partnerships with external stakeholders to enhance patient care.

Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (Band 7)

Surrey and Sussex NHS Foundation Trust – East Surrey Hospital
08.2021 - 08.2023
  • Provided specialist palliative input across hospital wards
  • Supported education and mentorship of junior staff
  • Actively pursued leadership opportunities while transitioning to a new region

Lead Nurse – Palliative Care (Band 8a)

St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
01.2018 - 08.2021
  • Led the palliative care service at a large London teaching hospital
  • Oversaw staffing, appraisals, performance management, and service planning
  • Managed EOL complaints, risk reporting, audits, and governance processes
  • Represented palliative care at senior leadership briefings

Palliative Care CNS (Band 7)

St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
10.2015 - 01.2018
  • Managed a diverse caseload, advising on complex pain and symptom management
  • Promoted due to strong clinical leadership and patient advocacy

Palliative Care CNS (Band 7)

West Middlesex University Hospital
10.2014 - 10.2015
  • Worked in a small CNS team delivering high-quality care in a general hospital
  • Built partnerships with local hospices and community teams

Staff Nurse – Inpatient Unit

Royal Trinity Hospice
12.2013 - 10.2014
  • Provided palliative and end-of-life care in a specialist hospice setting
  • Shift lead responsibilities and coordination of multidisciplinary care

ICU Nurse

King’s College Hospital, London / Freeman Hospital, Newcastle
11.2011 - 07.2013
  • Delivered high-acuity care for critically ill patients

Staff Nurse – Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery

Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle
08.2009 - 11.2011
  • Provided pre and post-operative nursing care on a surgical ward

Education

V300 Non-Medical Prescribing (Level 7) -

University of Surrey
01.2025 -

Health Assessment Module (Level 7) -

University of Surrey
03.2024 - 09.2024

Diploma in Hypnotherapy - Hypnotherapy

Chrysalis
09.2022 - 09.2023

Mary Seacole Leadership Course -

NHS Leadership Academy
London
09.2018 - 03.2019

Leadership Development (level 7) -

Royal Marsden School

Palliative Care and Symptom Control Level 7 module -

Royal Marsden School
London
03.2015 -

Post Graduate Certificate - Health and Social Care

Teesside University

BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing - undefined

Northumbria University

Advanced Diploma in Adult Nursing -

Northumbria University
Newcastle upon Tyne
08.2006 - 08.2009

Skills

  • Strategic, Clinical Compassionate Leadership
  • Service Development & Governance
  • Complex Symptom Management
  • Budgeting & Workforce Planning
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Complaint & Risk Management
  • Training & Supervision
  • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) – Intermediate


References

Available on request.

Accomplishments

  • Led a hospital-wide End-of-Life Care Strategy at St George’s Hospital as Lead Nurse
  • Developed and implemented a trust-wide EOL Care Plan and Champions Programme
  • Managed multidisciplinary teams, budget responsibilities, and quality KPIs at Band 8a level
  • Played a key role in a pan-London project to standardise anticipatory medication prescribing
  • Successfully transitioned from acute to community palliative care services

Training

  • Advanced Communication Skills – Macmillan/The Christie
  • Train-the-Trainer: Advanced Communication – Macmillan
  • SIMS Train-the-Trainer (CAMHELS) – St. George’s Hospital
  • Mary Seacole NHS Leadership Programme

Affiliations

  • I am a mum to 3 small children and I enjoy reading, running and gardening. I particularly enjoy reading books with strong female characters and Irish literature, if the two a entwined that is ideal!

Timeline

V300 Non-Medical Prescribing (Level 7) -

University of Surrey
01.2025 -

Health Assessment Module (Level 7) -

University of Surrey
03.2024 - 09.2024

Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist

St. Barnabas House Hospice
10.2023 - 07.2025

Head of Service

St. Barnabas House Hospice
08.2023 - 10.2023

Diploma in Hypnotherapy - Hypnotherapy

Chrysalis
09.2022 - 09.2023

Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (Band 7)

Surrey and Sussex NHS Foundation Trust – East Surrey Hospital
08.2021 - 08.2023

Mary Seacole Leadership Course -

NHS Leadership Academy
09.2018 - 03.2019

Lead Nurse – Palliative Care (Band 8a)

St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
01.2018 - 08.2021

Palliative Care CNS (Band 7)

St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
10.2015 - 01.2018

Palliative Care and Symptom Control Level 7 module -

Royal Marsden School
03.2015 -

Palliative Care CNS (Band 7)

West Middlesex University Hospital
10.2014 - 10.2015

Staff Nurse – Inpatient Unit

Royal Trinity Hospice
12.2013 - 10.2014

ICU Nurse

King’s College Hospital, London / Freeman Hospital, Newcastle
11.2011 - 07.2013

Staff Nurse – Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery

Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle
08.2009 - 11.2011

Advanced Diploma in Adult Nursing -

Northumbria University
08.2006 - 08.2009

BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing - undefined

Northumbria University

Leadership Development (level 7) -

Royal Marsden School

Post Graduate Certificate - Health and Social Care

Teesside University

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