Head, Neck and Thyroid Specialist Nurse

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Service Manager - Head, Neck and Thyroid Specialist Nurse to lead specialist nursing care for patients with complex cancer. The role involves coordinating care, supporting shared decision-making, and working within a multidisciplinary team to improve pathways and patient experience.

You will contribute to pathway development, audit and innovation while reporting to the Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist for Head & Neck and Thyroid.

Qualifications

• Registered nurse on the NMC register.
• Degree qualification, 120 credits at L6 or equivalent.
• Significant post-registration experience in the relevant specialty.
• Completion of Band 5 preceptorship competencies.
• HEI approved course in supporting learners in practice or equivalent.
• Extensive post-registration experience within specialist area.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert clinical care to patients with cancer in Head, Neck and Thyroid pathways.
• Coordinate care across the pathway and MDT activities.
• Support shared decision-making and ensure patients/families are informed.
• Available on Tuesdays for core MDT activity day.
• Contribute to pathway development, audit and service improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Critical thinking

Teamwork

Negotiation skills

Prioritisation

Organisational skills

Working under pressure

General IT skills

Learn quickly

Education

NMC registered nurse

Degree qualification (L6)

Supporting learners in practice course

Job description

Job Overview

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

Job Title: Service Manager -Head, Neck and Thyroid Specialist Nurse

Contract Type: Permanent

Main duties of the job

Join a service where your specialist skills make a real difference. As a Head, Neck and Thyroid Specialist Nurse, you’ll provide expert clinical care and personalised support to patients with complex cancer, helping to deliver safe, timely and compassionate care across the pathway.

You’ll play a key role in coordinating care, supporting shared decision‑making and ensuring patients and families feel informed and supported throughout their treatment journey. Your contribution will strengthen service quality, enhance patient experience and support ongoing improvements across our Head & Neck and Thyroid pathways.

Working closely with consultants, CNS colleagues, AHPs and cancer support workers, you’ll be part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team committed to delivering high‑quality, evidence‑based care. You will report to the Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist for Head & Neck and Thyroid, with opportunities to contribute to pathway development, audit and innovation across UHS

Working for our organisation

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

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.

At UHS, we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti‑racist, anti‑discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

The ideal candidate will have experience in cancer care or head and neck surgery, with the confidence to support patients with complex needs.

Must be available on Tuesdays, as this is a core clinical and MDT activity day for the service.

Able to prioritise and work autonomously while managing a varied caseload, using advanced communication and assessment skills to support patients throughout their pathway.

Demonstrates strong collaborative working, contributing effectively to the multidisciplinary team and supporting pathway development, audit and service improvement.

Person specification

Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience

Essential criteria

• Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
• Degree qualification, 120 credits at L6 or possess an equivalent knowledge to be assessed through evidence of relevant specialist training, experience or portfolio
• Significant post registration experience / qualification / training, including experience and knowledge within relevant speciality
• Completion of all Band 5 (preceptorship) competencies
• Higher Education Institute approved course in supporting learners in practice or evidence assessed to be of equivalent experience, demonstrating support to a range of learners in practice. Provide evidence of both supporting a range of learners in practice and supporting colleagues to promote effective learning in practice
• Extensive post registration experience within specialist area.
• Knowledge of current issues within the acute health service.
• Understanding of personal accountability.

Desirable criteria

• Change Management, clinical practice development.
• Multidisciplinary team working.

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Ability to learn and assimilate information quickly
• Communication
• Critical thinking
• General IT skills
• Leadership
• Negotiation skills
• Organisational skills
• Prioritisation
• Teamwork
• Working under pressure

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together