Paediatric Nurse | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust in Manchester is seeking a full-time Paediatric Radiation Oncology Coordinator to manage patient pathways and ensure continuity of care. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in treatment management, communication skills, and patient advocacy. This position involves working closely with clinical teams and participating in multidisciplinary tasks to enhance patient care. The role offers a fixed-term contract covering maternity leave.

Qualifications

• Knowledgeable in managing treatment pathways and acute toxicity.
• Experience in patient care and advocacy.
• Ability to communicate complex information effectively.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate patient treatment pathways and manage care transitions.
• Provide expert advice on treatment and symptom management.
• Participate in MDTs and ensure effective communication of patient care.

Skills

Expertise in radiation oncology

Patient advocacy

Coordination of care

Communication skills

Education

Relevant healthcare qualification

Job description

This is a full‑time, fixed‑term (1 year maternity leave cover) role in Paediatric Radiation Oncology. The role will be key to coordinating the patient pathway, ensuring continuity of care, and managing the transition of care between local treatment centres, RMCH, Alder Hey and The Christie. The successful candidate will be a knowledgeable expert in pathway stages and provide advice and support in symptom and treatment toxicity management.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan and manage own workload and the workload of the service, ensuring that service provision meets patient needs.
• Work with the clinical team to formulate clinical decisions and complex treatment plans to manage acute radiotherapy toxicity and psychosocial issues.
• Oversee and coordinate the referral and treatment pathway for patients referred for proton beam therapy (PBT), including those who require general anaesthetic.
• Accept and make appropriate referrals from/to other professional colleagues.
• Contribute to the coordination and effective management of the admission and discharge process.
• Liaise with RMCH to coordinate treatment during inpatient admissions for chemotherapy and acute episodes of illness.
• Act as an expert resource and provide advice to ward/departmental areas and the wider community.
• Attend and participate in all relevant MDTs and clinics, ensuring relevant information relating to patient treatment and care is communicated and received.
• Act as a patient advocate with clear feedback systems in place to the MDT and referring hospitals.
• Manage the transition of care of paediatric patients between care settings.
• Serve as the named key worker for paediatric proton therapy patients at the point of eligibility at the paediatric radiation oncology MDT meeting.
• Lead on developing and updating patient and carer information.
• Assist in the development of relevant protocols within the radiotherapy quality system.
• Review current paediatric protocols in the Trust and develop new protocols/policies where appropriate.
• Communicate with the patient’s referring specialist, GP and other community and hospice‑based services at regular intervals.
• Contribute to the clinical governance process, including adverse incident reporting/investigation and the management of complaints.
• Attend meetings at managerial, Trust committee and local Trust partnership level, acting as advocate for area of work and profession.
• Participate in national oncology/radiotherapy advisory boards and relevant working groups as invited.
• Identify gaps in service provision and work with the MDT and cancer network to implement necessary changes.

CLINICAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in the direct clinical management of patients – history taking, systematic physical examination, requisition of appropriate investigations, formulation of clinical management plans and re‑evaluation of implemented treatment plans.
• Contribute to the coordination and effective management of the admission and discharge process.

PATIENT CARE

• Develop a relationship that recognises the patient/family member/carer as an individual.
• Give information at an appropriate level of understanding to ensure the patient is fully informed at all stages of the patient pathway.
• Develop and update patient‑specific information which is age appropriate.
• Coordinate the patient journey, ensuring appointments and information are communicated in a timely fashion.
• Act as a patient advocate with clear feedback systems in place to the MDT and referring hospitals.
• Communicate highly complex, sensitive or contentious information to patients and carers, including diagnosis, scan results, management options and prognosis.
• Assess regularly whether more support or advice is needed, and offer it where appropriate.
• Provide an important point of contact for the patient and those around them both during and after completion of treatment, ensuring continuation of care.
• Identify vulnerable children and children of vulnerable adults and work with the Trust named nurse for safeguarding.
• Cover other appropriate disease groups as required.

TRAINING AND EDUCATION

• Develop and maintain competencies relevant to professional title and role.
• Be present and involved in training days and conferences.
• Participate in the education of pre/post registration students.
• Contribute to educational programmes within the Trust and referring/associated centres.
• Educate patients and their carers on issues surrounding health promotion and illness prevention.

RESEARCH AND AUDIT

• Facilitate relevant paediatric radiation oncology research and audit, maintaining competencies to record and contribute to research and trials.
• Keep up to date with current research and publications.
• Initiate and support clinical audit to evaluate service effectiveness and future developments, developing and managing strategies to address any shortfalls.
• Disseminate relevant research findings to colleagues and members of the health professions via presentation and publication.

This advert closes on Thursday 13 Nov 2025.