Acute oncology Associate CNS

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Dorchester; Sur place; GBP 34 000 - 42 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Dorchester is seeking an Acute Oncology Associate CNS (Band 6) to join the Acute Oncology Team. You will triage and support acutely unwell oncology patients, providing expert guidance to clinical colleagues and ensuring timely, patient‑centred care.

The role involves cross‑department liaison, investigations and pathway management, and opportunities to lead service improvement and CPD, with UKVI sponsorship available for eligible applicants.

Qualifications

• Registered adult nurse with ongoing professional development.
• Post-registration qualification in oncology/haematology or acute oncology.
• Chemotherapy administration qualification.
• Evidence of CPD and teaching qualification preferred.
• Advanced communication skills qualification or willingness to undertake.

Responsabilités

• Provide triage and assessment for patients via triage line and ED.
• Liaise with Acute Oncology CNS and consultants to deliver evidence-based care.
• Support investigations and management within acute oncology pathways.
• Lead communication with patients, carers and multidisciplinary teams to improve patient experience.
• Contribute to service improvement, audits and CPD activities.
• Work within Band 6 expectations and support Band 7 CNS team.

Connaissances

Communication

Telephone manner

Resilience

Care planning

Empathy

Formation

Registered adult nurse

Oncology/haematology qualification

CPD evidence

Chemotherapy administration

Advanced communication skills qualification

Teaching qualification

Description du poste

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Acute oncology Associate CNS

The closing date is 01 November 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dedicated and enthusiastic nurse to join our Acute Oncology Service.

Do you pride yourself on providing excellent care and wish to continue this within a team of like minded health care professionals. If that's you please get in touch to discover more of the role.

As an acute oncology associate CNS you will work as part of the team to give advice, both via the triage line and face to face to support managing acutely unwell oncology patients presenting to the trust as result of cancer treatment, disease progression or symptoms of previously undiagnosed cancer.

The post holder in conjunction with the Acute Oncology Nursing Tam and Consultant will be involved in the care of patients contacting or attending the hospital utilising local, national and network wide treatment protocols and pathways, including the UKONS initial management tool. The post holder will provide expert knowledge and support to patients and staff with support from the Acute Oncology wider team.

The post holder will provide essential cross department liaison and communication to improve the patients' journey and experience, supporting reduction of length of stay and when possible, with support, avert hospital admissions.

The team are looking for applicants with experience in cancer, oncology or haemato-oncology nursing and be familiar with the management of oncological emergencies. We will offer training and support to the successful applicant.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to work within the team and be able to prioritise calls/workload and time appropriately.

Provide triage and assessment of patients who call the triage phone line and be part of the team reviewing patients who attend ED in addition to those who are admitted to inpatient wards.

With support, provide advice and support to clinical colleagues on the investigation, care, and management of patients within the remit of Acute Oncology leading to faster and better care of patients with complications of cancer e.g. early recognition, appropriate treatment, rapid referral to other specialist teams including palliative care

Provide essential communication to improve patient experience and quality of care.

Liaise and update oncologists and the wider multidisciplinary teams to promote coordinated care.

Provide support as part of the team for patients with suspected cancer of unknown primary (CUP) or malignancy of unknown origin (MUO) and patients with first presentation primary brain lesion. Support and advise as part of the team regarding investigations and information needed to ensure a smooth pathway.

As part of the team ensure the quality of the Acute Oncology service through the application of audit and research evidence-based practice.

Maintain own CPD including ACCEND pathway and Acute oncology passport.

About us

At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate's individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

Our Mission is to provide outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them, and our vision is Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.

Job responsibilities

The post holder is designated an Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist within the hospital and will liaise within the health community to provide specialist advice to the following:

• patients and their relatives
• other health professionals within the Trust and community, tertiary settings.

The post holder will work closely with the Acute Oncology CNS, Lead Acute Oncology Nurse, the Acute Oncologist and Medical colleagues to deliver a high-quality service to patients at Dorset County Hospital.

To provide high standards of evidenced-based patient centred care to patients who present with acute problems relating to their cancer or cancer treatments. At Band 6 the role requires ensuring practices are delivered to the highest standard. An element of this there will be a requirement to complete the ACCEND pathways with an expectation that the post holder will demonstrate capabilities in practice (CiPs) at enhanced level.

To enhance the patient experience by administering a holistic approach to patient care, providing leadership and clinical support to medical and nursing staff, acting as a role model within the scope of professional practice.

To ensure patient safety remains paramount at all times, supports the Band 7 CNS team by undertaking and relevant assessments and making appropriate referrals.

To use highly developed nursing knowledge and skills to provide high standards of evidence-based patient centred care respecting dignity and privacy.

At Band 6 to work as part of the Acute oncology team, taking an active role in developing the service fit for the future, supporting development of the service.

To contribute to service improvement programs and quality improvement initiatives, whilst demonstrating an ability to lead and implement new initiatives in line with local and national direction.

UKVI Sponsorship: This role is eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). We welcome applications from individuals who require sponsorship to work in the UK. Sponsorship will be offered subject to meeting UKVI eligibilitycriteria.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

• Registered adult nurse
• Post registration specialist qualification e.g. oncology/haematology or acute oncology
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Chemotherapy administration qualification
• Recognised advanced communication skills qualification or willingness to undertake
• Relevant teaching qualification

Knowldge and Experience

• Significant and recent post registration experience
• Recent experience of looking after patients with cancer and those undergoing chemotherapy
• Experience of care of central venous catheters
• Experience in a nursing role of managing complex patients
• Understanding of clinical governance and its requirements
• Demonstrate an area of special interest

skills and abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively
• Excellent telephone manner
• High levels of resilience in the workplace
• Ability to assess and plan individual care needs in partnership with patients/their carers
• Ability to handle distressing situations with sensitivity and empathy
• Venepuncture and cannulation skills (or willingness to undertake)
• Experience of care of central venous catheters
• Able to demonstrate utilisation of negotiating skills
• Able to demonstrate motivation of self
• Ability to work across the multidisciplinary health and social care team
• Experience in a nursing role of managing complex patients

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.

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust