Upper GI Triage Clinical Nurse Specialist

Wye Valley Nhs Trust; Hereford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a specialist nurse to provide high-quality nursing care for patients suspected of having upper GI cancers. The role involves triaging referrals, facilitating investigations, and acting as a patient advocate while making critical clinical decisions. Candidates should have an expert knowledge base in gastroenterology, with strong decision-making skills and competencies for autonomous practice. This position offers an opportunity to support patients throughout their diagnostic journey.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge base in gastroenterology and upper GI triage.
• Complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies for expanded autonomous practice.
• Proficiency with triage protocols, patient history tools, and advanced clinical judgement.

Responsibilities

• Work as an autonomous expert practitioner, making critical holistic clinical decisions.
• Facilitate timely investigations and provide information for patient choices.
• Advise patients on risks and benefits of interventions.

Skills

Expert knowledge base in gastroenterology

Decision-making skills

Clinical competencies

Proficiency with triage protocols

Job description

Overview

To ensure the provision of high quality specialist nursing care to patients under investigations for an Oesophagogastric cancer. The nurse will triage gastroenterology referrals for suspected Upper GI cancers, with symptoms of dysphagia, dyspepsia and iron deficiency anaemia. Then support these patients through investigations and diagnosis.

Key Responsibilities

• Work as an autonomous expert practitioner, making critical holistic clinical decisions through assessment, monitoring and planning.
• Facilitate timely investigations, coordinate care and provide information to enable patients to make informed choices.
• Collaborate with the Iron Deficiency Anaemia Specialist Nurse providing clinical supervision and support.
• Undertake nurse‑led, consultant‑supervised protocol‑driven triage of direct‑to‑test upper endoscopy referrals for patients with symptoms of dysphagia, dyspepsia and iron‑deficiency anaemia.
• Take a comprehensive patient history using tools such as the Edinburgh Dysphagia Score and Rockwood Frailty Score.
• Using protocols, clinical judgement and advanced practice skills decide on an appropriate treatment pathway for each patient.
• Advise patients on the risks and benefits of each intervention and provide advice on procedures, e.g. reviewing anticoagulation.
• Ensure diagnostic procedures are requested and proactively avoid delays.
• Seek out results from investigations (endoscopy, CT, biopsies), review them and decide on the most appropriate course of action (e.g. presenting to Upper GI MDT, discharging back to GP).
• Act as an advocate for the patient, keeping the patient and relatives informed and sharing information in a clear, sensitive manner.
• Serve as an expert resource for patients and professionals alike.
• Provide direct clinical support and supervision of the IDA Nurse Specialist.

Qualifications and Experience

• Expert knowledge base in gastroenterology and upper GI triage.
• Complex decision‑making skills and clinical competencies for an expanded autonomous scope of practice within Gastroenterology.
• Proficiency with triage protocols, patient history tools and advanced clinical judgement.