Specialist Nurse - Acute Oncology

The Methodist Church in Britain; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fitness centre (SRH)

Library access at both hospital sites

Chaplaincy support

Care Co-ordinator to help with child‑m

Flexible working under Policy

Education and career progression

Health and wellbeing support

Job summary

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Specialist Nurse for the Acute Oncology Service. The role focuses on assessment and management of acutely unwell cancer patients with emphasis on triage, autonomous practice, and clinician support.

You will contribute to service development, education, and research while coordinating multidisciplinary care and ensuring timely discharge from hospital.

Qualifications

• NMC/HCPC registration as applicable
• Ability to work autonomously within a defined scope
• Strong interpersonal and IT skills
• Experience in oncology or acute care settings

Responsibilities

• Assess, triage and manage acutely unwell oncology patients via ED, AMU and wards
• Provide autonomous assessment, diagnosis and treatment within a scope
• Coordinate multidisciplinary care pathways for complex needs
• Run nurse-led clinics and support staff with specialist advice
• Facilitate timely discharge and reduce length of stay
• Deliver education and training to clinical staff
• Contribute to service improvement and quality initiatives
• Represent the service nationally and engage in research

Education

Degree in nursing studies or a relevant clinical degree, UK equivalent

Mentorship certificate or practice assessor training

Non-medical prescribing or working towards it

N59 / SACT qualification or equivalent

Job description

Specialist Nurse post in the Acute Oncology Service (AOS) team at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, for patients acutely unwell with cancer-related complications or treatment toxicities. Work centres on assessment, triage and management for patients arriving through the Emergency Department, acute medical unit and wards. Autonomous practice within an agreed scope sits alongside nurse-led clinics, specialist advice to staff and service development. Applicants need professional registration and non-medical prescribing, or evidence of working towards it.

What the job involves

• Assess, triage and manage patients presenting acutely via ED, AMU and inpatient wards
• Practise autonomously with advanced assessment, diagnosis and treatment within an agreed scope
• Coordinate multidisciplinary specialist care pathways for patients with complex needs
• Run nurse-led clinics, reviewing patients and optimising complex treatment regimes
• Facilitate timely discharge and prevent avoidable admissions and length of stay
• Give specialist advice to patients and clinical staff, by telephone or face to face
• Provide education and training to clinical staff across the Trust
• Contribute to service improvement, new models of care, audit and quality improvement
• Meet national and local standards and targets, within clinical governance and the NMC/HCPC Code
• Communicate internally and externally about patient care and resources
• Represent the service nationally
• Undertake research relevant to the specialist area

Qualifications

• Degree in nursing studies or a relevant clinical degree, or UK equivalent
• Mentorship certificate or practice assessor training, or equivalent experience
• Non-medical prescribing, or evidence of working towards it
• N59 / SACT qualification or equivalent

Registration & licences

• NMC registration as a 1st level adult nurse, or HCPC registration as an allied health professional

Experience

• Care delivery in the specialism
• Leading a team or supporting junior staff
• Change management and practice development, with evidence of innovation
• Coordinating care for a caseload of patients

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of national policy and best practice in the specialism, including expanded roles
• Clinical teaching experience
• Handling complex, sensitive or contentious information
• Working without supervision, with proven interpersonal and IT skills
• Clinical skills accreditation and competency in venepuncture, cannulation and IV drug administration

Other

• Moving and handling patients in line with Trust policy
• Ability to travel between sites

Nice to have

• Leadership and management course
• Qualification in the specialty
• Project management skills
• Research skills

What’s offered

• Fitness centre (SRH)
• Library access at both hospital sites
• Chaplaincy support
• Care Co-ordinator to help with childcare arrangements
• Flexible working under the Trust Flexible Working Policy
• Access to education, training and career progression
• Health and wellbeing support