Job overview
****This vacancy is only available to current UHSussex Employees****
An exciting opportunity has arisen at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSx) for an experienced nurse to join our team as a secondment post and support the Faster Diagnostic Standard (FDS) pathway for suspected lung cancers in the West of the organisation.
You will provide clinical expertise and leadership to the FDS service for suspected lung cancers at UHSussex West (Worthing Hospital and St Richard’s Hospital Chichester), demonstrating specialist clinical knowledge and skills to ensure patients referred to the service receive expert care and management appropriate to their needs.
You will support compliance against the 28d and 62d cancer waiting times (CWT) guidance for the suspected lung cancers pathway alongside the multi-professional team. You will work collaboratively with the Cancer Nurse Specialist team across the sites to ensure patients with a confirmed cancer diagnosis move seamlessly onto the management pathway most appropriate to their care.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.
Main duties of the job
1. Support compliance against the 28-day faster diagnosis standard and 62-day cancer waiting times (CWT) guidance for the gynaecological suspected cancer pathway in collaboration with the FDS navigators for the Respiratory Directorate.
2. Provide line management to the FDS navigators role for lung cancer pathways
3. Provide comprehensive, consistent and clear information and support to those individuals referred on the pathway, including clear decisions regarding next actions.
4. Positively impact on the experience of patients and carers by providing high standards of clinical practice and care.
5. Provide nursing clinical expertise to primary and secondary care colleagues regarding the pathway, including operational risks and compliance against the pathway milestones, and clinical updates regarding an individual referred on the pathway where appropriate.
6. Provide nursing clinical expertise to address the 28-day faster diagnosis standard 62d and 104d long wait lists, including regular review and prioritisation for those on the pathway awaiting next actions.
7. To explore current practice, identifying areas for development and planning appropriate change using current evidence to evaluate outcomes.
Working for our organisation
1)At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Service Delivery and Improvement
8. Ensure implementation of agreed systems and processes to provide safe, effective, high-quality care and embed a culture of improvement, focusing on the Trust’s harm free indicators.
9. Participate as a key member of the multi-professional team within lung cancer pathways, ensuring appropriate referral and discussion with other members of the team to optimize patient care.
10. Provide information to the Assistant Care Group Manager (ACGM) to help plan and organise pathway navigator workload in conjunction with the respiratory team and Trust requirements, to ensure consistent and sustainable delivery of the suspected cancer pathway.
11. Visualise and map patient pathways by reviewing the last 10 patient breaches with the support of the cancer management team, reviewing delays to understand trends or common underlying reasons for delays and identify areas for improvement.
12. Redesign pathways in collaboration with the specialist team, FDS Matron and project manager, to improve operational practice to include efficient and effective administrative processes.
13. Contribute to the development of specialist guidelines and protocols in collaboration with colleagues to optimise the care of patients on a suspected cancer pathway
Patient Care Delivery
14. Attend and participate in MDT meetings to support the individual pathway and take actions from the meeting to reduce and keep delays to a minimum.
15. Identify and coordinate opportunities for patient and public involvement and engagement in service development.
16. Ensure all complaints are dealt with promptly and courteously in accordance with Trust policy. To respond in writing to complaints by interviewing staff, collating information, and writing statements to provide evidence, reviewing practice where appropriate in response, in collaboration with the FDS Matron.
17. Monitor and support patient pathways daily in collaboration with the FDS navigators, taking action to expedite next steps to avoid unnecessary delays for the patient. Including requesting appropriate examinations and Radiology diagnostics under IR(ME)R (training will be provided as required).
18. Maintain contemporaneous and accurate records of all referred pathways, ensuring relevant information and outcomes are documented in the patient notes in accordance with Trust policy and professional standards.
Please see attached Job Description for full details.
Person specification
essential
Essential criteria
19. Extensive experience at senior nurse level in relevant clinical area
20. Extensive experience in working with patients with complex physical and psychological needs.
21. First degree in nursing or health related subject
22. Post registration professional qualification in relevant specialist area
23. Evidence of continuous personal, professional and academic development, at Masters level or equivalent
Desirable criteria
24. Advanced physical assessment at level 7
25. Non-medical prescribing at level 7
26. Mentorship or training qualification
27. Advanced communication skills training
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
28. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
29. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications