Acute Oncology Team Leader

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Manchester is seeking a Band 7 Senior Sister/Charge Nurse to lead the Acute Ambulatory Care Unit. The role involves providing high-quality clinical care and managing a team to ensure efficient patient flow and adherence to safety standards. Ideal candidates should have strong oncology experience and showcased leadership skills. This position offers opportunities for professional growth and training.

Benefits

Continuous professional development

Supportive multidisciplinary team

Inclusion commitment

Qualifications

• Experience in oncology and acute care settings.
• NMC registered nurse with a degree in nursing.
• Strong visible leadership and clinical expertise.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the Acute Ambulatory Care Unit.
• Conduct assessments and provide clinical care.
• Manage and educate a multidisciplinary team.
• Ensure patient safety and compliance with guidelines.

Skills

Oncology experience

Acute or emergency care experience

Management experience

Strong leadership

Effective communication

Education

Nursing degree and NMC registration

Job description

Overview

The Acute Ambulatory Care Unit (AACU) is a nurse-led unit providing rapid assessment and same-day urgent treatment for oncology patients presenting with acute complications related to systemic anti‑cancer therapy (SACT) or their disease. The unit comprises 6 stretcher spaces and 5 chair spaces, operating 08:00–21:00, 7 days per week. Patients are referred via the oncology hotline or by other clinical teams across the Trust. The Band 7 Senior Sister/Charge Nurse will lead the day‑to‑day running of the unit, ensuring the delivery of safe, efficient, and high‑quality care in collaboration with Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) and the Acute Oncology Consultant team. The post holder will provide strong visible leadership, clinical expertise, and professional management for a multidisciplinary team consisting of Band 5 and 6 nurses, Band 2 and 3 Healthcare Assistants, and administrative staff. They will work closely with the Acute Assessment Unit and the Hotline Triage Team to ensure high quality patient care, seamless patient flow, continuity of care, and effective communication across services. Oncology experience is essential, acute or emergency care experience and management experience are desirable.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide high‑quality, evidence‑based nursing/clinical care to patients attending the Acute Ambulatory Care Unit.
• Conduct timely assessments, observations, and interventions in accordance with local and national clinical guidelines.
• Support rapid diagnostics (e.g. point‑of‑care testing, ECGs, venepuncture, cannulation) and assist with minor procedures.
• Work collaboratively with medical and allied health professionals to develop and implement individualised care plans.
• Safely manage deteriorating patients, escalating appropriately to senior staff and the medical team.
• Contribute to patient education, health promotion, and self‑management strategies.

Operational Responsibilities

• Maintain efficient patient flow through the unit in line with national performance targets.
• Ensure accurate documentation and data input into electronic systems.
• Support and adhere to infection prevention, safeguarding, and medicines management policies.
• Participate in the safe handover of care between departments and community teams.
• Assist in the development and implementation of new care pathways and service improvement projects.
• Provide management support for the AACU team.
• Liaise closely with ward managers and nursing teams across inpatient and outpatient settings to promote best possible care for patients requiring urgent review.
• Work closely with the infection prevention and control team to reduce patient risk of infection.
• Liaise closely with critical care team to understand needs and prioritise care of acutely unwell patients.
• Be a point of call for acute oncology management service escalation policy to ensure safe waiting times for emergency admissions and for calls to the hotline.
• Liaise with acute oncology consultant colleagues and from all clinical specialities to advise and escalate where necessary.
• Foster and demonstrate creativity, energy and inspiration into ward team to improve patient care.
• Assure patient records are maintained and up to date.
• Be aware of Health and Safety issues and undertake relevant risk assessments.
• Report and record all accidents and complaints according to policy, investigating speedily and compassionately.
• Ensure adherence to all Trust policies and procedures, and implement new ones as necessary.
• Ensure each staff member participates in a personal development plan and works to maximise potential of others.
• Assist in nursing recruitment process when required.
• Take a progressive approach to sickness/absence management in collaboration with the Department manager/Senior Nursing team.
• Continuously review the service and implement change to support ongoing improvements.
• Participate and lead daily staffing and bed capacity meetings, gathering concise information.
• Ensure effective communication between patients, families and healthcare team to maintain continuity of care.
• Maintain links with specialist nurses, GPs and nursing teams in the community to ensure continuity of care.
• Be innovative in approach to move service forward in line with Trust and National frameworks.
• Work as a professional role model, providing leadership at all times and acting as patient advocate.

Training & Education

• Complete appropriate clinical skills and mandatory training as directed by management.
• Supervise clinical staff and disseminate knowledge and current developments; ensure all staff have an appropriate level of training and are offered support.
• Present at training days and conferences.
• Supervise and appraise nominated staff by establishing objectives and facilitating development through personal development plans.
• Participate in research and audit influencing practice.
• Maintain competence in IV training, medicines management, moving and handling, assessment of critically ill patient, and ECGs.
• Attend all mandatory study days.
• Implement national and regional initiatives into practice.
• Take responsibility for training and education of the team and ensure equal opportunities for development.
• Maintain professional accountability.

Professional Leadership

• Maintain a high‑profile visible presence across wards and department areas, ensuring the highest standards.
• Serve as a professional role model and patient advocate reflecting the Trust's values and behaviours.
• Contribute to resolution of complaints and undertake follow‑up action as required.
• Provide leadership to promote patient flow and operational agenda.
• Participate in professional forums where appropriate.
• Act as a role model and resource for junior staff, students, and new starters.
• Engage in professional supervision, training, and continuing professional development.
• Contribute to audit, governance, and quality improvement initiatives within the unit.
• Maintain registration and compliance with professional codes of conduct (e.g., NMC).

Communication & Professional Relationships

• Act as a resource giving advice and support to nursing staff regarding emergency admissions and related issues.
• Provide and receive highly sensitive confidential information concerning patients requiring empathy and reassurance.
• Analyze complex situations requiring comparison of options.
• Liaise closely with the medical team and other MDT members to promote the highest standard of care.
• Develop and maintain professional interests in nursing and associated research.
• Highlight areas of improvement within the department and undertake relevant projects.
• Foster creativity, energy and inspiration within ward teams towards efficient workflows and pathways.

Planning & Organisational

• Plan and organise complex activities or programmes requiring formulation and adjustment.
• Provide specialised advice on trust status.
• Hold delegated budget authority for patient flow and oversee financial and physical resources.
• Day‑to‑day management of staffing levels for the team and the division.
• Support the team through challenging circumstances with empathy.

Personal

• Demonstrate a pleasant and approachable manner and promote good working relationships.
• Show professional and courteous manners whilst practising excellent communication skills at all levels.
• Undertake relevant projects and represent the team at trust‑wide forums.
• Keep abreast of issues influencing the Trust both internally and externally.
• Participate in policy writing for the department and Trust.
• Understand and endorse the Trust's corporate plan and divisional objectives.
• Maintain confidentiality and adherence to NMC Professional Code of Conduct.
• Cooperate in own performance review, indicating learning goals and support needs.
• Actively seek mentorship/supervision to enable reflection and development.
• Ensure all patient information is kept confidential.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Christie welcomes applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. The appointment will be based on merit alone. We are committed to fostering inclusion and tackling health inequalities in cancer care.