Skin FDS Clinical Nurse Specialist | Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Trust; East Grinstead; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in East Grinstead is seeking a Faster Diagnosis Clinical Nurse Specialist to streamline diagnostics for patients under the cancer pathway. The role involves providing clinical leadership and emotional support, coordinating care, and ensuring the timely process of diagnostics in line with national standards. Ideal candidates will be registered nurses with experience in cancer care and strong assessment skills.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse experienced in cancer care.
• Ability to support patients through complex pathways.
• Strong assessment and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic care to patients and families throughout diagnostics.
• Conduct thorough patient assessments and triage referrals.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams for optimal patient care.

Skills

Compassionate care

Clinical leadership

Communication skills

Patient advocacy

Education

Registered Nurse qualification

Specialist training in cancer care

Job description

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and passionate Faster Diagnosis Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) to join our team on a one-year fixed-term contract. This role streamlines the diagnostic process for patients referred under the cancer pathway, providing specialist clinical leadership, ensuring timely diagnostics in line with Faster Diagnosis Standards (FDS), and offering tailored care and emotional support. The post holder will work to enhance patient experience, minimise delays, and improve clinical outcomes through collaboration, education, and quality improvement initiatives within QVH and externally.

The FDS CNS role is within the skin cancer care pathway, ensuring patients referred with suspected cancer are supported through timely, efficient, and patient-centred diagnostic processes. The CNS acts as a key liaison between patients, multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), and external agencies to meet national Faster Diagnosis Standards, particularly the 28-day diagnostic target. The role encompasses clinical leadership, pathway coordination, and the provision of tailored emotional and practical support, improving patient outcomes and experience.

Clinical duties

• Provide specialist, holistic, and compassionate care to patients and families throughout their diagnostic pathway.
• Act as a key contact and advocate for patients, particularly those who are vulnerable or experiencing delays.
• Conduct thorough patient assessments, triage referrals, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Communicate results and care plans clearly to patients and the multidisciplinary team (MDT).
• Use expert clinical judgment to identify red flags and tailor care pathways to individual needs.
• Promote shared decision-making and patient empowerment.
• Collaborate across internal and external services to ensure seamless and timely diagnostic care.
• Engage in clinical audits, research, and service improvement to enhance outcomes.

Education & Training

• Act as a specialist resource and educator for staff, patients and families.
• Develop and deliver training for staff and produce patient education materials.
• Mentor students and new staff members.
• Promote health education and professional development within the team.

Managerial responsibilities

• Lead and improve 28 FDS pathways and services.
• Participate in MDT meetings, focusing on patient-centred decision-making.
• Work with external partners to enhance referral processes and service delivery.
• Drive pathway redesign and service development initiatives.

Engagement & external collaboration

• Collaborate with other NHS providers to determine service improvements for the skin service at QVH and associated pathways, including primary care and wider Macmillan team.
• Collaborate with all operational teams to meet KPIs, such as the 28-day FDS target.
• Engage with external agencies to coordinate care for complex specialist cases and update care pathways as required.

Education and development

• Act as a specialist resource for staff education, sharing expertise and promoting professional development.
• Provide education and health promotion to staff, patients and families in the skin cancer speciality.
• Develop educational materials for patients to improve understanding and self-management.

Resource use & professional development

• Ensure chargeable episodes are appropriately documented and resources are used cost-effectively.
• Maintain clinical expertise, participate in professional development, and adhere to the NMC Code and trust policies.
• Participate in the Trust’s appraisal and pay progression processes as applicable, and keep mandatory training up to date.

General

• Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the post holder’s skills, knowledge and experience.

This advert closes on Sunday 21 Sep 2025