Chemotherapy (SACT) Lead Nurse: Sponsorship Available

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to appoint a new
Lead nurse for SACT (chemotherapy) within CDDFT. We need someone who can
demonstrate a high level of expertise within the specialist service providing
advice, education and support to staff, patients, their families and carers.

Practising as a Chemotherapy Lead Nurse within the
Integrated Medical Specialties Directorate acting as an autonomous
practitioner, working independently and in conjunction with other healthcare
professionals. This will encompass the skills of advanced clinical assessment,
examination, diagnosis and treatment within an agreed scope of practice
throughout the directorate.

Support new ways of working that emphasises a more
efficient and patient focused service, and will ensure the safe treatment,
referral and discharge of patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed
presentations in their area.

Responsibility for leading the on-going development of
clinical practice and standards of care within the service, including the
development of policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines in collaboration
with multidisciplinary colleagues.

Deliver clinical components of their role and support
appraisal, clinical audit, teaching, continuous professional development and
research.

To comply with the
trusts vision, values and behavioural compact

Main duties of the job

As the chemotherapy lead nurse you will provide expert knowledge in order to
address the needs of the chemotherapy service. They will lead the development
of initiatives and strategies utilising a high degree of personal autonomy.

The post holder will provide clinical
leadership and act as an expert role model to advise and support colleagues at
an individual, team and organisational level by utilisation of their advanced
knowledge and skills. Provide and support training to staff on chemotherapy
pathways, passports and ensure all nursing standards are maintained.

Works closely with visiting Consultants
and Trust Consultants as well as the Cancer Networks and share best practice
and new initiatives across the trust

Actively supports and acts as an
advocate for patients and their families.

Person Specification

Statutory Registration

Essential

  • NMC

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse (Adult) on the NMC register.
  • First degree in a relevant health/nursing subject or equivalent level of advanced knowledge.
  • Post-graduate specialist qualification in cancer/oncology nursing.
  • Recognized SACT competency/administration course and physical assessment/non-medical prescribing qualification (or willingness to work towards).
  • Independent nurse prescriber
  • Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) at an advanced level

Desirable

  • Masters degree or working towards postgraduate/Master’s level award.
  • Formal leadership, management, or teaching qualification.

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive post-registration experience in oncology, cancer care, and acute SACT delivery.
  • Proven experience at Band 7 (or equivalent senior clinical role) leading a team or specialized service.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of national cancer agendas, SACT safety standards, and UKONS (United Kingdom Oncology Nursing Society) guidelines.
  • Experience in audit, clinical governance, risk management, and service development

Desirable

  • Experience in managing budgets or complex rotas/workforce planning.
  • Involvement in regional or national cancer networks/peer groups

Specials Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Advanced clinical decision-making and autonomous practice for complex oncology patients.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills across multi-disciplinary teams (MDT).
  • Ability to lead change management, design care pathways, and deliver staff education/training.
  • Competence in analysing complex data and writing clinical policies or operational guidelines.

Desirable

  • Budget management

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Closing Date: 16 September 2026

To apply for this job please visit www.jobs.nhs.uk.