Job overview
****** THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST EMPLOYEES ******
The Acute Oncology team is looking for a motivated, flexible and resilient band 7 CNS to join our team. The role is based at St Richard's and Worthing Hospitals in a structured rotation.
The post holder will:
1. Provide individualised patient-centred care for those who have a cancer diagnosis and have presented acutely unwell as a consequence of their cancer or treatment.
2. Support patients presenting with a suspected new diagnosis of cancer, as well as managing toxicities both in the inpatient and outpatient setting.
3. Lead service development at St Richard's and Worthing Hospital sites and working collaboratively across the Trust to ensure parity of care across all sites.
4. Support educational requirements both within the team and in the wider MDT.
5. Review and support improving communication and pathways between the multidisciplinary teams involved in patient care and management.
We are a dynamic, motivated, and supportive team who work flexibly to meet the needs of the whole service whilst supporting each other.
The cancer division is currently developing consistent standards of care and collaborative working across the Trust.
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
6. Assessment of cancer patients admitted as an emergency within 24 hours of presentation.
7. Perform comprehensive assessment of patients’ nursing and medical needs.
8. Assess complex situations and make clinical decisions regarding care.
9. Support patients and colleagues at breaking bad news for new diagnoses or progression of disease.
10. Support work up and management of patients under the Cancer of Unknown Primary pathway.
11. Supporting inpatients and outpatients with diagnosis and management of toxicity.
12. Contribute to the personalised care of the patient group.
13. Provide appropriate information and advice to patients and others affected by cancer.
14. Provide a responsive service to queries and concerns - being able to triage and make appropriate clinical decisions, working within your limitations referring to senior colleagues as necessary.
15. Signpost and refer to services appropriately, such as physiotherapy, counselling, and palliative care.
16. Provide support and line management to junior members of the team.
17. Liaise effectively with members of the multi-disciplinary teams.
18. Work effectively and collaboratively with the CNS teams across UHSx and with our partner organisations.
19. Be a support and mentor to junior staff members.
20. To actively lead on and contribute to service development - including developing appropriate KPIs that are measurable which demonstrate service improvement.
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To include but not limited to:
21. Triage, assessment and management of acutely unwell cancer patients.
22. Management and co-ordination of treatment for cancer emergency presentations including neutropenic sepsis, metastatic spinal cord compression.
23. Support and advise on the diagnosis of suspected cancer.
24. Support the work-up, diagnosis and management of patients under the Cancer of Unknown Primary pathway.
25. Attendance at the multidisciplinary meetings and clinics
26. Management of patients presenting with immunotherapy toxicity and on-going assessment of response to treatment.
27. Collaborative working with all members of the MDT, including acute medical teams, site-specific CNS teams.
28. Signposting and making appropriate referrals
29. Lead on the service development of cancer CNS teams
30. Present at breaking bad news as required
31. Delivering and supporting patients when receiving life-altering / limiting news
32. Demonstrate effective and compassionate enhanced communication skills
33. Ensuring pathways for investigations and treatments are timely - managing and escalating as required any concerns that may impact the diagnostic and treatment target dates
34. Working clinically autonomously to provide advice in response to unscheduled contacts from patients and professionals
35. Reviewing current practice and working collaboratively to improve,
36. Be an influential leader to all grades and disciplines of staff
37. Promote effective teamwork
38. Conduct audit - including design and data analysis
39. Working in line with trust values and the NMC code of conduct
Please see JD and person spec for full details
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
40. NMC registration
41. Oncology/SACT Experience
42. Evidence of band 6 or 7 working
43. Experience at teaching and presentation skills
44. Experience of service development
45. Degree/diploma in Adult Nursing Cancer Nursing Pathway or equivalent
46. Evidence of leadership in practice
Desirable criteria
47. Acute Oncology experience
48. Mentorship
49. Advanced communications training
50. Leadership course
51. Leadership qualification
52. Professional Nurse Advocate qualifications
53. Chemotherapy module or equivalent “in service training” course/SACT passport.
54. Physical assessment course
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
55. Management of oncology patients and identification of acute presentations
56. MDT / cross-boundary working - at senior level
57. Service development and change management experience including audit and data analysis
58. Demonstrates commitment to personal and professional development
59. Demonstrable enhanced communication skills
60. Conflict management and resolution
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
61. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
62. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
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