Clinical Nurse Specialist

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust seeks an experienced Band 6 Clinical Nurse Specialist to join the Rapid Investigation Service (RIS). The role is fixed-term until December 2027, with remote working options and on-site elements at Aldermoor Health Centre.

You will triage referrals, take full histories by telephone, present cases at the virtual MDT, and coordinate onward referrals while receiving full training and support from the senior nursing team.

Qualifications

• Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register.
• Degree qualification or equivalent 120 credits at Level 6.
• Post registration qualification within area of speciality or equivalent experience.
• Completion of all Band 5 (preceptorship) competencies.
• Evidence of supporting/ managing a range of learners in practice.
• Extensive post registration experience within specialist area.
• Knowledge of current issues within the acute health service.

Responsibilities

• Triage referrals and coordinate care for patients via the Rapid Investigation Service (RIS).
• Clerks patients virtually, taking a full systems history and requests CT scans where appropriate.
• Present patients at the virtual MDT and coordinate onward referrals as required.
• Provide specialist advice, education and support to patients, carers and other health care professionals.
• Practice clinically within agreed care protocols with extended scope for radiology imaging.
• Work across professional, departmental and Trust boundaries to deliver patient-centred care.

Skills

Typing skills

IT skills

Clinical skills

MDT working

Communication skills

Education

Degree qualification or equivalent 120 credits at Level 6

Post-registration qualification within area of speciality

Completion of Band 5 competencies

Job description

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Title: Clinical Nurse Specialist

Contract Type: Fixed Term - Short term funding

Fixed Term Contract End Date: December 2027

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced band 6 nurse to join the Wessex Rapid Investigation Service (RIS).

RIS is a fully virtual service, covering the Wessex region (Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight), offering a cancer fast-track pathway to patients experiencing non site-specific symptoms which might be explained by an underlying diagnosis of cancer.

In conjunction with the senior nursing team and GP colleagues, you will be responsible for triaging referrals, completing a full patient history via the telephone, deciding on most appropriate next steps, and coordinating care as appropriate.

You will be responsible for independently presenting your patients at the virtual MDT, and making onward referrals where required.

The successful candidate will be given full training to enable a rapid and seamless approach, so that all patients are cared for as effectively and efficiently as possible. You will be well supported in this role.

Please note: proficient typing skills are essential, and will be tested at interview. Owing to service demand and a small team you must be able to commit to working on both a Monday and a Friday.

The Rapid Investigation Service team are based off-site at Aldermoor Health Centre (half a mile from the main hospital site).

You will be provided with a laptop and mobile phone. Once fully trained, there will be the opportunity for flexible working from home at times. The service requires cover from Monday to Friday, and your shift pattern will need to reflect the needs of the service.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

You will practice independently as a core member of the Rapid Investigation Service Team; you will have responsibility for the medical management of a defined patient group under guidance of the Consultant responsible for the care episode.

You will work clinically to triage referrals and re-direct if a more suitable pathway is indicated. Clerk patients virtually, taking a full systems history and request a CT scan where appropriate.

Discuss with the MDT in cases of uncertainty. Present patients at a virtual MDT and contact them with the outcome, making onward referrals as required.

You will demonstrate a high level of competence in health assessment and clinical decision-making.

You will provide specialist advice, education and support to patients, their carers and other health care professionals.

You will practice clinically within agreed care protocols – extended scope of practice for requesting radiology imaging.

You will work across professional, departmental and Trust boundaries as required, to develop and support patient-centred seamless care as part of delivery of this regional service.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who is experienced working as a band 6, and is capable of working in a fast-paced environment, with good clinical skills, outstanding communication skills, and excellent IT skills.

You must be proficient at typing, and be able to type and talk to take down a full medical history.

We are seeking someone who is caring, motivated and enthusiastic, with demonstrable skills in MDT working.

You will need to be comfortable / confident in discussing cancer with patients in a virtual setting.

We are a forward thinking service made up of a multidisciplinary team including nurses, GP’s, hospital consultants and administrative staff.

We encourage the development of our staff, and expect them to keep up to date with current practices, making every contact count.

An informal discussion / visit is expected from those wishing to apply, and we look forward to receiving your application.

For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for.

Interviews will take place on 13th and 20th October 2026.

Person specification

Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience

Essential criteria

• Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
• Degree qualification or equivalent 120 credits at L6
• Post registration qualification within area of speciality or equivalent experience.
• Completion of all Band 5 (preceptorship) competencies
• Provide evidence of supporting/ managing a range of learners in practice
• Provide evidence of supporting colleagues to promote effective learning in practice
• Extensive post registration experience within specialist area.
• Knowledge of current issues within the acute health service

Desirable criteria

• Registered on MSc Pathway – completion of HTPA Competencies
• Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners / supporting challenges as needed
• Counselling qualification
• Palliative care course
• IT training
• Change Management, clinical practice development

Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together