Job overview
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) to join our dynamic Hepatology Service, providing specialist care for patients with liver disease across the Trust. This is an exciting opportunity to lead and develop services that make a real difference to patient outcomes.
As CNS for Hepatology, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for patients with conditions such as cirrhosis, advanced fibrosis, chronic hepatitis B, and complications of liver disease. You will lead the Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Surveillance Programme, ensuring timely identification and monitoring of patients at risk of liver cancer through structured surveillance and intervention.
Main duties of the job
1. Act as the clinical lead for the HCC Surveillance Programme, including maintaining a centralised register, managing call/recall systems, and coordinating imaging and follow-up.
2. Provide expert nursing care and advice in outpatient clinics, ambulatory care, and day-case procedures (e.g., FibroScan, large-volume paracentesis).
3. Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team (MDT) including hepatology consultants, physician associates, radiology, gastroenterology, and other specialties.
4. Support service development, audit, and quality improvement initiatives aligned with national guidance and local priorities.
5. Deliver patient education and engagement to improve attendance and outcomes.
Working for our organisation
Why colleagues think we are
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes.
We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
What do we stand for?
Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.
We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.
We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
6. NMC Registered General Nurse Education, educated to at least 1st degree level
7. Validated Post Graduate Qualification Level 6 or equivalent in Hepatology related study
Desirable criteria
8. Recognised prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake
Experience
Essential criteria
9. Significant post-registration experience, including recent experience at Band 6 or equivalent in hepatology or related speciality
10. Experience of working autonomously and managing a clinical caseload
11. Experience in service development or leading a quality improvement initiative
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
Essential criteria
12. Competence in using clinical systems and managing patient data securely
13. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including breaking bad news/ counselling course
Desirable criteria
14. In-dept understanding of liver disease, HCC surveillance pathways and relevant national guidance
PPE requirements: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust requires all colleagues to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with our infection prevention and control procedures.
COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the viruses when working in our healthcare settings. We encourage our staff to be vaccinated when recommended.
Application deadline: This post will close on the closing date stated at midnight, however if we receive a large number of applications or there is a change in circumstance, we may be required to close a job before the advertised date.
Application information: If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records (ESR) system.
Shortlisting: The monitoring and safeguarding sections are not made visible to the shortlisting panel. The safeguarding section may be made visible to the interview panel, dependent on the role being recruited into.
Travel expenses: It is Trust policy that travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
Smoking: All Trust sites are NO SMOKING. Smoking in all areas of the buildings and premises is prohibited.
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