Acute Oncology Nurse Specialist

Barnsley Hospital Nhs Foundation Trust; Hanley; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnsley Hospital NHS FT is seeking an experienced Band 7 Acute Oncology Nurse Specialist to join the Cancer Services team on a full-time, permanent basis. The role involves providing expert nursing support for acute oncology needs and coordinating care across MUO/CUP pathways.

You will triage referrals, conduct specialist assessments, and work with the MDT Lead and multidisciplinary teams to deliver timely, high-quality patient-centered care.

Qualifications

• Current NMC registration first level nurse essential.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
• Significant post registration experience with demonstrable evidence at Band 6 or above.
• Post registration experience in the care of oncology patients.
• Possession of a post graduate Acute Oncology qualification or willingness to work towards.
• Assessing and mentoring qualification.
• Evidence of on‑going CPD.
• Effective communicator able to communicate difficult and sensitive information.
• Ability to prioritise own workload and effective time management.

Responsibilities

• Triage AO, MUO and CUP referrals from primary care and internal hospital teams, supporting timely assessment, investigation and onward referral.
• Undertake specialist assessment of acute oncology patients, identifying their clinical and holistic needs and developing appropriate care plans.
• Manage and coordinate a patient caseload, using autonomous clinical decision-making and referral to other services as required.
• Work closely with the MDT Lead and wider multidisciplinary team to coordinate AO, MUO and CUP pathways and ensure continuity of care.
• Work collaboratively with chemotherapy, haemato-oncology, specialist palliative care and site‑specific cancer teams.
• Provide specialist advice and support to patients, families and healthcare professionals.
• Provide education and support to clinical teams to improve knowledge and confidence in managing acute oncology patients.
• Contribute to audit, quality improvement and service development across Acute Oncology, MUO and CUP pathways.

Skills

NMC registration

Oncology nursing

Time management

Communication skills

CPD ongoing

Clinical decision-making

Mentoring

Education & training

Education

Degree level education

Postgraduate Acute Oncology qualification

Assessing & mentoring qualification

Job description

Job summary

We anticipate interviews to take place week commencing 23rd November 2026.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Band 7 Acute Oncology Nurse to join the Cancer Services team at Barnsley on a full-time, permanent basis, working Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated nurse with relevant oncology experience, alongside excellent organisational, time management and communication skills.

This is a specialist role providing high-quality nursing support and expertise to patients presenting with acute oncology needs. The post holder will work closely with the MDT Lead, Acute Oncology team and wider multidisciplinary teams to support timely assessment, effective communication and the coordination of individualised patient care.

The current Acute Oncology Service also supports patients with Malignancy of Unknown Origin (MUO) and Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP). The job description is currently under review to ensure it reflects the evolving scope and requirements of the service, including the management and coordination of patients across these pathways.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to play an important role in the ongoing development of the Acute Oncology Service, working collaboratively across the Trust to support the delivery of safe, timely and high-quality patient-centred cancer care.

Main duties of the job

As an Acute Oncology Nurse Specialist, you will provide specialist assessment, advice and support to patients with acute oncology needs, helping to ensure timely, coordinated and high-quality care.

The role also includes supporting patients referred with Malignancy of Unknown Origin (MUO) and Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP). You will:

• Triage AO, MUO and CUP referrals from primary care and internal hospital teams, supporting timely assessment, investigation and onward referral.
• Undertake specialist assessment of acute oncology patients, identifying their clinical and holistic needs and developing appropriate care plans.
• Manage and coordinate a patient caseload, using autonomous clinical decision-making and referral to other services as required.
• Work closely with the MDT Lead and wider multidisciplinary team to coordinate AO, MUO and CUP pathways and ensure continuity of care.
• Work collaboratively with chemotherapy, haemato-oncology, specialist palliative care and site‑specific cancer teams.
• Provide specialist advice and support to patients, families and healthcare professionals.
• Provide education and support to clinical teams to improve knowledge and confidence in managing acute oncology patients.
• Contribute to audit, quality improvement and service development across Acute Oncology, MUO and CUP pathways.

About us

Barnsley is a place of real warmth and community spirit. With a proud industrial past, the town offers affordable living, great transport links, rich culture and many green spaces.

At Barnsley Hospital, we are a close‑knit, ambitious team delivering outstanding care in the heart of South Yorkshire. Our aim is to be the best place to work and we have been consistently rated by our people as being amongst the very best Trusts in the country in areas such as compassionate leadership, teamwork and supporting colleague wellbeing.

We offer a friendly working environment where you will be recognised and valued for what you do, led with compassion and integrity and have your career and wellbeing supported.

Essential qualifications and experience

• Current NMC registration first level nurse essential
• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
• Significant post registration experience with demonstrable evidence at Band 6 or above.
• Post registration experience in the care of oncology patients.
• Possession of a post graduate Acute Oncology qualification or willingness to work towards.
• Assessing and mentoring qualification.
• Evidence of on‑going CPD.
• Effective communicator able to communicate difficult and sensitive information.
• Ability to prioritise own workload and effective time management.

Desirable

• Advanced communication skills qualification.
• Non Medical Prescriber qualification or willingness to work towards.
• Advanced physical assessment and consultation skills.
• Venipuncture and cannulation skills.
• Experience of working in a critical care environment e.g. Emergency Department.
• Evidence of publications and presenting at local and regional level.

Details

Band: Band 7

Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year pro/rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number: C9163-2697E-10-2026

Employer contact

For questions about the job, contact Becky Hoskins, Deputy Director of Nursing, Midwifery & AHPs, at [e-mail] or 01226431806.

Barnsley Hospital NHS FT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and fair treatment to all applicants. Visa sponsorship is only available to applicants who meet UK Skilled Worker eligibility requirements, including salary thresholds. The cost of the DBS (criminal records check) for Band 6 and above roles will only be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. Please note we reserve the right to close positions early.