Acute Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Acute
Oncology Service as a Band 6 Acute Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist.

We are looking for an experienced, motivated and
compassionate registered nurse with a strong interest in oncology and a
commitment to delivering high-quality, personalised care. Working alongside our
established Acute Oncology CNSs and Consultant Oncologists, you will provide
specialist assessment, advice, support and care coordination for patients
experiencing acute complications of cancer and its treatment.

The role includes supporting patients with metastatic
spinal cord compression, cancer of unknown primary and those presenting with
serious non-specific symptoms where cancer is suspected. You will work
collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and care settings, acting as a
key worker and helping patients and their families navigate what can be a
complex and challenging period.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your specialist knowledge,
clinical decision-making and leadership skills within a supportive team. You
will also contribute to education, audit, service improvement and the continued
development of high-quality Acute Oncology services across the Trust.

Main duties of the job

As a Acute Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, you will
play a key role in supporting patients who become acutely unwell as a result of
their cancer or its treatment.

You will use your oncology knowledge and clinical
assessment skills to identify patients needs, support timely investigation and
treatment, and coordinate care across acute, specialist and community services.
You will work closely with oncologists, cancer teams and the wider
multidisciplinary team to ensure patients receive safe, responsive and
well-coordinated care.

A significant part of the role is providing specialist
advice, information and emotional support to patients and their families,
including during periods of uncertainty, new diagnosis or changing treatment
needs. You will act as a key worker and advocate for patients, ensuring care is
personalised and their priorities are understood.

You will also have opportunities to develop your specialist practice,
support and educate colleagues, contribute to audit and quality improvement,
and help shape the continued development of the Acute Oncology Service.

Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Extensive knowledge of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy/systemic anti-cancer therapy, and the recognition and management of associated toxicities.
• Knowledge and understanding of acute oncological presentations and complications.
• Ability to undertake clinical assessment, recognise deterioration and contribute to appropriate and timely clinical decision-making.
• Ability to work autonomously within professional boundaries, seeking senior or specialist support appropriately.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex, sensitive and potentially distressing information.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and coordinate care across services.
• Effective organisation, prioritisation and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage competing clinical demands and work to deadlines.
• Evidence of critical thinking and clinical decision-making.
• Understanding of personalised cancer care and the importance of involving patients and families in decisions about their care.
• Knowledge of professional accountability and the NMC Code.
• Evidence of leadership skills and the ability to act as a positive professional role model.
• Ability to use information technology and electronic clinical systems effectively.

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC).
• Knowledge of Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP) pathways.
• Knowledge of Serious Non-Specific Symptoms (SNSS) pathways where cancer is suspected.
• Advanced clinical assessment skills.
• Non-medical prescribing skills.
• Knowledge of Holistic Needs Assessment and Personalised Care and Support Planning.
• Understanding of relevant national cancer standards, guidance and performance measures.
• Knowledge of clinical audit, research, evidence-based practice and quality improvement methodology.
• Teaching, presentation and facilitation skills.

Special Requirements

Essential

• Demonstrates a compassionate, patient-centred approach and commitment to providing high-quality personalised care.
• Able to work effectively within a developing and changing specialist service.
• Able to work flexibly according to service and patient needs.
• Able to work across Trust sites as required by the role.
• Demonstrates professional integrity, accountability and an understanding of confidentiality.
• Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, respect and dignity.
• Demonstrates commitment to ongoing professional development and reflective practice.
• Emotionally resilient and able to work sensitively with patients and families experiencing uncertainty, distress, serious illness and potentially life-limiting diagnoses

Desirable

• Demonstrates an interest in the continued development of Acute Oncology services.
• Willingness to contribute to research, innovation, audit and service improvement.
• Willingness to participate in local, regional and national specialist professional networks.

Experience

Essential

• Relevant post-registration nursing experience.
• Experience of caring for patients with cancer and/or complex healthcare needs in an oncology, haematology or palliative care setting. With relevant post registration experience in these areas.
• Experience of assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating patient care.
• Experience of multidisciplinary and multi-professional team working.
• Experience of communicating complex and sensitive information to patients and their families/carers.
• Experience of prioritising and managing a clinical workload effectively.

Desirable

• Experience of caring for acutely unwell patients with cancer.
• Experience of managing patients experiencing complications or toxicities associated with systemic anti-cancer treatment.
• chemotherapy enhancing practice qualification.
• Experience of audit, quality improvement or service development.
• Experience of supporting the education and development of other healthcare professionals.
• Experience of working across organisational or care-setting boundaries.

Statutory Registration

Essential

• Registered Nurse (Adult) on Part 1 of the NMC Register.
• Valid UK NMC PIN and registration maintained in accordance with NMC requirements.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse with current professional registration.
• Degree-level study in oncology or equivalent relevant specialist study/experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to cancer care.
• Evidence of relevant post-registration education and training.

Desirable

• Physical assessment skills or willingness to undertake relevant training.
• Advanced Communication Skills training or willingness to undertake.
• V300 Non-Medical Prescribing qualification or willingness to work towards.
• Mentorship, practice assessor and/or teaching qualification.
• Master’s-level study or willingness to work towards.

Closing Date: 8 October 2026