Acute Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist

University Hospitals Sussex Nhs Foundation Trust; Worthing; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust in Worthing is seeking a motivated Band 7 CNS for the Acute Oncology team, based at Worthing Hospital in a structured rotation. You will provide individualised, patient-centred cancer care for acutely unwell patients and lead service development across sites.

The role emphasizes senior clinical leadership, MDT collaboration, teaching, and supporting families through complex conversations, with flexible working options and visa sponsorship where

Qualifications

• Current NMC registered nurse with appropriate nursing qualification.
• Experience in Oncology/SACT and in senior or lead roles.
• Proven track record in teaching, presentation, and service development.
• Experience of leading on service development and MDT collaboration.
• Demonstrable enhanced communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Acute Oncology service across Worthing Hospital.
• Assess cancer patients presenting acutely and manage care.
• Lead service development and MDT collaboration.
• Support training and line-management of junior staff.
• Maintain effective communication with MDTs and partners.

Skills

Oncology/SACT experience

Leadership in practice

Teaching and presentation skills

Service development

Communication skills

Education

NMC registration

Nursing degree or diploma

Oncology nursing qualification

Job description

Job overview

****** THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST EMPLOYEES ******

The Acute Oncology team is looking for a motivated, flexible and resilient band 7 CNS to join our team. The role is based at Worthing Hospitals in a structured rotation.

The post holder will:

• Provide individualised patient-centred care for those who have a cancer diagnosis and have presented acutely unwell as a consequence of their cancer or treatment.
• Support patients presenting with a suspected new diagnosis of cancer, as well as managing toxicities both in the inpatient and outpatient setting.
• Lead service development at Worthing Hospital sites and working collaboratively across the Trust to ensure parity of care across all sites.
• Support educational requirements both within the team and in the wider MDT.
• Review and support improving communication and pathways between the multidisciplinary teams involved in patient care and management.

We are a dynamic, motivated, and supportive team who work flexibly to meet the needs of the whole service whilst supporting each other.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination, of the Acute Oncology Service across the local site. Working as a Band 7 senior nurse
• Assessment of cancer patients admitted as an emergency within 24 hours of presentation.
• Perform comprehensive assessment of patients’ nursing and medical needs.
• Assess complex situations and make clinical decisions regarding care.
• Support patients and colleagues at breaking bad news for new diagnoses or progression of disease.
• Support work up and management of patients under the Cancer of Unknown Primary pathway.
• Supporting inpatients with the management of toxicity.
• Contribute to the personalised care of the patient group.
• Provide appropriate information and advice to patients and others affected by cancer.
• Signpost and refer to AHP services
• Provide support and line management to junior members of the team.
• Liaise effectively with members of the multi-disciplinary teams.
• Work effectively and collaboratively with the CNS teams across UHSx and with our partner organisations.
• To actively lead on and contribute to service development

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To include but not limited to:

• Triage, assessment and management of acutely unwell cancer patients.
• Management and co-ordination of treatment for cancer emergency presentations including neutropenic sepsis, metastatic spinal cord compression.
• Support and advise on the diagnosis of suspected cancer.
• Support the work-up, diagnosis and management of patients under the Cancer of Unknown Primary pathway.
• Attendance at the multidisciplinary meetings and clinics
• Management of patients presenting with immunotherapy toxicity and on‑going assessment of response to treatment.
• Collaborative working with all members of the MDT, including acute medical teams, site‑specific CNS teams.
• Signposting and making appropriate referrals
• Lead on the service development of cancer CNS teams
• Present at breaking bad news as required
• Delivering and supporting patients when receiving life‑altering / limiting news
• Demonstrate effective and compassionate enhanced communication skills
• Ensuring pathways for investigations and treatments are timely - managing and escalating as required any concerns that may impact the diagnostic and treatment target dates
• Working clinically autonomously to provide advice in response to unscheduled contacts from patients and professionals
• Reviewing current practice and working collaboratively to improve,
• Be an influential leader to all grades and disciplines of staff
• Promote effective teamwork
• Conduct audit - including design and data analysis
• Working in line with trust values and the NMC code of conduct

Please see JD and person spec for full details

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• NMC registration
• Oncology/SACT Experience
• Evidence of band 6 or 7 working
• Experience at teaching and presentation skills
• Experience of service development
• Degree/diploma in Adult Nursing Cancer Nursing Pathway or equivalent
• Evidence of leadership in practice

Desirable criteria

• Acute Oncology experience
• Mentorship
• Advanced communications training
• Leadership course
• Leadership qualification
• Professional Nurse Advocate qualifications
• Chemotherapy module or equivalent “in service training” course/SACT passport.
• Physical assessment course

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria

• Management of oncology patients and identification of acute presentations
• MDT / cross-boundary working - at senior level
• Service development and change management experience including audit and data analysis
• Demonstrates commitment to personal and professional development
• Demonstrable enhanced communication skills
• Conflict management and resolution

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications

UHSussex values authenticity and encourages applicants to ensure that all application materials accurately reflect their own skills, experience, knowledge and motivations. Candidates may use AI and digital tools to support the preparation of applications, for example to assist with spelling, grammar, structure or accessibility needs. However, applicants remain responsible for the content submitted and should ensure that it genuinely represents their own abilities and experience. Where there are reasonable concerns that an application does not authentically reflect the applicant's own knowledge, skills, experience or suitability for the role, the Trust reserves the right to explore this further and, where authenticity cannot be satisfactorily demonstrated, to reject the application.

Bank Workers:

Bank workers are welcome to apply for any of our vacancies but please note if you are successful at interview there will be a delay in confirming a start date due to the Trust's current financial controls.

Closing Adverts Early:

In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working:

If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks:

As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa:

Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications