Acute Oncology and MUO/CUP Nurse Specialist

NHS; Harlow; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in England is seeking an Acute Oncology and MUO/CUP Nurse Specialist to provide expert care and support for oncology patients. This position involves working in various hospital settings, offering guidance to medical staff, and ensuring high-quality patient care. Candidates should have a relevant nursing registration, advanced qualifications in oncology, and a commitment to professional development. The role offers the chance to influence cancer pathways and integrate services effectively, with flexible working opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Educational development programs

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Level 1 Registered Nurse (Adult Branch) on part 1 of the live NMC register.
• Masters Degree (or evidence of study at level 7).
• Qualification in cancer/palliative care or relevant subject.
• Advanced communication skills training.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality cancer care to patients in diverse settings.
• Provide expert advice and education to healthcare professionals.
• Organize cancer-related audits and service improvements.
• Maintain accurate patient records and uphold confidentiality.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Expert knowledge in oncology

Advanced communication

Holistic approach

Education

Level 1 Registered Nurse (Adult Branch)

Masters Degree

Qualification in cancer/palliative care

Recognised Teaching Qualification

Job description

Acute Oncology and MUO/CUP Nurse Specialist

The closing date is 23 December 2025

The post holder will join the Acute Oncology service, reporting to the Advanced Nurse Practitioner for Acute Oncology and working with the support and direction of the Clinical Leads for both Acute Oncology and Cancer of Unknown Primary to ensure seamless delivery of care for patients and their families referred to these services.

Main duties of the job

As a core member of the Acute Oncology service and MUO/CUP team, the post holder will work autonomously within the Emergency Department, Outpatients and Inpatient wards, ensuring equitable, standardised, high‑quality care for patients who present to PH with cancer treatment or disease‑related complications. Working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, providing specialist advice in all aspects of Acute Oncology to support seamless delivery of care and integration of services. The post holder will act as an educational resource and support education provision to the wider Trust. In addition, they will facilitate innovative and evidence‑based nursing practice through professional leadership; participating and leading on clinical audits undertaken in relation to Acute Oncology and CUP and taking part in ongoing service development with support from senior colleagues.

About us

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high‑quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave, a national programme changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined‑up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives. We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal‑opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Job responsibilities

• Demonstrate a high level of interpersonal and holistic skills in caring for Oncology patients
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of AO presentations, their causes and their treatment; provide expert advice to colleagues both internally and externally
• Contribute specialist knowledge and act as a resource in the diagnosis, treatment and care for patients with cancer, to all healthcare professionals within both the acute and primary healthcare setting
• Receive direct referrals, triage/undertake differential diagnosis and assessment within a risk‑management framework
• Attend ED if contacted between working hours for urgent clinical advice and management, escalation planning, onward referrals & advice on appropriate place of admission and/or support admission avoidance
• Attend ward rounds with the AO clinician or participate in nurse‑led ward rounds; assist in the triage of patients, advising ward teams on care and management of disease and/or treatment‑related complications
• Act as the Key Worker for patients referred on a 2‑week wait CUP pathway or as a consultant upgrade; supporting diagnostic work‑up of these patients and attending breaking‑bad‑news clinics
• Undertake assessment of physical, psychological, social, emotional and spiritual issues at key points in the pathway using a Holistic Needs Assessment tool and develop/advise on appropriate management plans
• Provide structured telephone advice and ongoing support for patients, carers/relatives and other healthcare professionals using the established UKONS triage toolkit
• Interpret, analyse and respond to test results whilst ensuring patient safety
• Challenge professional and organisational boundaries in the interest of patient care
• Obtain patients and their relatives/carers views on resuscitation and provide counselling as/when necessary; participate in team decisions regarding ceilings of care
• Provide guidance, support and counselling to patients and their families/carers, liaising effectively and appropriately with other healthcare professionals; act as the patient’s advocate at Multidisciplinary Team meetings, respecting privacy, confidentiality and cultural diversity
• Attend and support the weekly MUO/CUP pre‑MDT/streaming meeting
• Attend the weekly MUO/CUP MDT and ensure outcomes are actioned and communicated with patients and their relatives
• Provide ongoing support for confirmed CUP patients in outpatient oncology clinics and on the wards
• Deal appropriately with highly distressing information/news and support patients, relatives and staff through the bereavement process
• Support the development of/participate in the provision of a 7‑day per week CNS AO Service
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date records in line with the Trust’s policy
• Arrange appropriate follow‑up appointments and onward referrals to other disciplines as necessary
• Work collaboratively with other agencies/professionals to ensure patients’ needs are met
• Ensure robust handover processes are in place between Key Workers, when care is transferred between teams/organisations
• Be responsible for ensuring patients are aware of how to contact the Key Worker and this relationship is recorded in the medical records
• Work directly with nurses and medical colleagues in generalist settings, supporting and developing their skills in caring for Oncology patients
• Educational and Research
  • Develop appropriate information and educational literature, ensuring it is available to help patients make informed choices as to their treatment plan and continuing management
  • Develop and deliver programmes of education and training according to the identified needs of service users
  • Identify opportunities for nursing research within own speciality and work with team members to facilitate objectives
  • Contribute to the development of nursing practice within the Trust
  • Participate in educational events provided by the Trust and primary care sector
  • Establish and maintain effective communication with patients, family and carers to assess needs to provide relevant support, information, education, advice and counselling as required
  • Promote and facilitate evidence‑based practice and clinical audit within the Trust, raising the profile and enhancing the contribution of nursing to patient care and informing business and service development plans
  • Assist with any appropriate/relevant Trust‑approved research projects conducted within the department
  • Promote nursing research and evidence‑based practice relevant to AO
  • Publish and present relevant clinical practice and service developments initiatives; sharing outcomes and recommendations
• Audit and surveillance
  • Continuously monitor and review standards of care to ensure clinical practice is evidence‑based and in line with local and national guidance/policies
  • Participate in audit of the current service and contribute to developing action plans for service improvement; sharing outcomes, learning points and improvement initiatives
  • Instigate and implement research and evidence‑based recommendations that demonstrate an improvement in patient care
  • Develop patient information; ensure information is up to date and research‑based; this may involve working in collaboration with external agencies
  • Actively contribute to the AO Service and CUP Service Annual Reports
  • Ensure service activity is recorded, in line with cancer outcomes and service dataset (COSD); maintain accurate records and adhere to Information governance
• Management and Leadership
  • Act at all times in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Professional Conduct (NMC)
  • Demonstrate strong clinical and professional leadership skills; enabling a professional culture of continuous learning and practice development
  • Create and encourage an environment which is creative & motivational to help maximise the potential of all team members
  • Actively participate in clinical supervision
  • Support the strategic development of the AO Service and MUO/CUP pathway
  • Support the AO and MUO/CUP peer review process
  • Ensure the implementation of the Trust objectives related to acute cancer care
  • Ensure the implementation and enhance continuity of care for patients referred for specialist treatment
  • Contribute to the development of new nursing practices and roles
  • Contribute to the development of guidelines and protocols at a local level
  • Demonstrate commitment to the implementation of evidence‑based practice
• Personal Development
  • Maintain effective registration with the NMC
  • Work in line with the Trust’s core values
  • Act as a senior role model for nursing practice within the Trust
  • Participate in the Trust’s appraisal and personal development schemes; meet with direct line manager for one‑to‑one support and at least annually to discuss personal and professional development
  • Identify and be responsible for own professional development; advance and develop theoretical knowledge and maintain a high standard of clinical competence by actively seeking networking opportunities, academic and practical courses and conferences

Qualifications

• Level 1 Registered Nurse (Adult Branch) on part 1 of the live NMC register
• Masters Degree (or evidence of study at level 7)
• Study to Degree Level (level 6)
• Qualification in cancer/palliative care or relevant subject
• Recognised Teaching Qualification/experience of student supervision
• Advanced communication skills training
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Physical Assessment & Clinical reasoning/Advance Physical Assessment course
• Non Medical Prescribing course

Experience

• Experience at Band 6 in Oncology/Haemato‑oncology speciality
• Experience of Multi‑professional working
• Experience in the administration of chemotherapy
• Experience in venous access and with central venous access devices
• Demonstrate achievements in improving patient care; being forward thinking and innovative
• Demonstrate an understanding of all aspects of clinical governance and share experience of participation in research and audit, quality issues and risk management

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust