Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Nottingham is seeking a Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist to deliver high-quality patient care across a continuum from diagnosis to palliative support. The role involves working closely with multidisciplinary teams and advocating for patient needs throughout the cancer treatment pathway. Ideal candidates should have experience in respiratory care and excellent communication skills, alongside a dedication to continuous professional development.

Benefits

Extensive professional development opportunities

Participation in lung cancer conferences

Supportive and diverse work environment

Qualifications

• Experience in Respiratory Medicine, Oncology, Palliative Care, Thoracic surgery or community settings.
• Excellent communication skills and a patient-centered approach.
• Interest in lung cancer with willingness to engage in continuing education.

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic support to patients from pre-diagnosis to palliative care.
• Attend MDT meetings and advocate for patient needs.
• Facilitate patient discharge and support families.

Skills

Communication Skills

Patient-Centered Approach

Experience in Lung Cancer Treatment

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity to work as a Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist (LCNS). This is an established post with an established large LCNS team. You will work closely with a dedicated lung cancer MDT or 'team lung'.

We are looking for a kind, dedicated team player with excellent communication skills and an interest in lung cancer to join our warm and highly skilled LCNS. You would need to embrace change and enjoy service development.

The LCNS covers a large cancer pathway, providing advice, social and emotional support and information to patients and their loved ones throughout their pathway. We meet patients from pre-diagnosis, diagnosis, treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy) and palliative care. The work will cover clinics, wards and telephone consultations Monday to Friday 9-5.

We provide a one month supernumerary induction along with ongoing continuous education, and there is an opportunity to attend a lung cancer conference each year with LCNUK or BTOG. You will also be part of a wider network of LCNS throughout the East Midlands allowing for shared experiences and best practice. The LCNS cover two MDTs, and you will be expected to attend one of these each week and act as the patients\' advocate, advising the wider MDT regarding patient and family wishes and informing them of the patient\'s physical and social issues which may affect treatment plans.

You will attend Thoracic, Oncology and Respiratory clinics, supporting patients through the pathway and sharing patient care with other CNS colleagues such as palliative care, lung oncology and thoracic nurses.

You will identify delays to treatment and facilitate optimal symptom control. The LCNS address prehabilitation for patients at set intervals to optimise their tolerance to treatment and improve their ability to live well with and beyond cancer. This includes physical activity, nutrition, smoking cessation and psychological wellbeing.

You will meet patients on the wards who have a likely or actual lung cancer diagnosis, facilitating their discharge, educating nurses and junior doctors and ensuring next steps and tests are requested promptly in order to facilitate the National Optimal Lung Cancer Pathway (NOLCP).

You will be allocated the incoming patient phone each day at set intervals. You will be expected to organise admissions for sick patients and use your initiative to organise social care or liaise with community colleagues to address symptom control while supporting the families of lung cancer patients.

If you have experience working in Respiratory Medicine, Oncology, Palliative Care, Thoracic surgery or community this would be a great new opportunity for you.

With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.

Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice, social and emotional support and information to patients and their loved ones throughout the pathway, from pre-diagnosis to palliative care.
• Meet patients in clinics, wards and via telephone consultations (Mon–Fri, 9–5).
• Attend two MDTs (one per week) and act as the patient advocate, informing the MDT of patient and family wishes and any physical or social issues affecting treatment plans.
• Attend Thoracic, Oncology and Respiratory clinics and collaborate with palliative care, lung oncology and thoracic nursing colleagues.
• Identify delays to treatment and facilitate optimal symptom control; address prehabilitation to optimise treatment tolerance, including physical activity, nutrition, smoking cessation and psychological wellbeing.
• Facilitate discharge for ward patients, educate nurses and junior doctors, and ensure next steps and tests are requested promptly to support the National Optimal Lung Cancer Pathway (NOLCP).
• Manage the incoming patient phone line at set intervals, organise admissions for sick patients, and coordinate social care or liaise with community colleagues to support families.
• Leverage experience in Respiratory Medicine, Oncology, Palliative Care, Thoracic surgery or community as appropriate to the role.

Qualifications/Experience

• Experience in Respiratory Medicine, Oncology, Palliative Care, Thoracic surgery or community settings.
• Excellent communication skills and a patient-centered approach.
• Interest in lung cancer and ability to work in an MDT environment; openness to service development and change.
• Willingness to participate in continuous education and professional development; attendance at related conferences when available.
• Ability to coordinate across clinics, wards and community services, and to support families of lung cancer patients.

Benefits & Additional Information

NUH is a large employer with a focus on research, education and innovation. We offer extensive personal development opportunities and aim to turn your job into a career. We welcome applicants who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, to improve representation at NUH.