Job overview
Are you passionate about delivering outstanding care to children and young people with cancer? Are you ready to take on a specialist role where you can make a real impact?
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Paediatric Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist to join our Paediatric Oncology Shared Care team. This is a fantastic opportunity to work across services, supporting children and young people (CYP) and their families throughout their oncology treatment journey.
In this rewarding role you will:
1. Provide expert clinical and professional support to CYP and their families.
2. Deliver Chemotherapy across both sites; Chichester and Worthing Hospitals.
3. Act as a visible role model and advocate for safe, effective, evidence-based care
4. Help shape and implement clinical practice standards for paediatric oncology care
5. Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including Principal Treatment Centres, the Thames Valley and Wessex CYP Cancer Network, and community services, to ensure continuity of care from diagnosis to discharge
We are looking for someone with a strong background in paediatric oncology nursing, a passion for improving patient outcomes, and the confidence to work collaboratively and across boundaries to deliver seamless, family-centred care.
If you're committed to excellence, eager to drive service improvements, and ready to take the next step in your nursing career, we want to hear from you!
Main duties of the job
As a Paediatric Oncology Nurse Specialist the post holder will act as a skilled nurse and role model in the care of children and young people with cancer. They will support the CYP and their family through diagnosis, treatment and acting as a link between the tertiary centre and local hospital. The post holder will demonstrate an excellent understanding and proficiency in the highly specialist nursing care and management children and young people with cancer both the hospital and community setting.
In conjunction with the Children and Young Person’s Oncology multi-disciplinary team they will contribute to and participate in the development of high-quality Children’s Oncology Services across the Trust. They will make recommendations and identify areas for development and present these to the Team.
They will be responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of programmes of care, with support from Consultant Paediatrician as the service dictates. Using clinical judgement and autonomous decision making, the post holder will proactively prioritise care to meet the needs of the patients, undertaking a range of specialised clinical actions. They will co-ordinate and manage the clinical caseload autonomously.
This role will be cross site between St Richard's and Worthing Hospitals.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & 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, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
6. To provide highly specialised nursing within the Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Unit to children with cancer and their families, giving care and support from the time of diagnosis throughout the course of their disease and providing leadership in this field.
7. Promoting a supportive learning environment the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) will monitor the clinical care of children with cancer and their families and provide expert clinical care, advice, support, training and education, acting as a resource and role model for other health care professionals. The Clinical Nurse specialist will work closely with the designated consultant and in partnership with staff within the hospital providing education packages as necessary for members of the multidisciplinary team.
8. The CNS will be responsible for maintaining and developing professional standards and practices within the speciality developing the service through research-based practice and clinical audit.
9. As the treatment and care of the children and families is shared between regional cancer centres and the hospital the CNS will be responsible for developing and maintaining effective communication and liaison between hospitals to ensure continuity of care for the children and families.
10. The CNS will work in partnership with the children and their families providing practical and emotional support, education and training and a link and for them to contact for information and advice.
See Job description
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
11. NMC registration RNC/RN with substantial paediatric experience in Paediatric oncology
12. Mentorship
13. Degree in Nursing or related subject
14. Substantial experience working as a nurse within Paediatric oncology service
15. Teaching and assessing in clinical practice qualification or equivalent
Desirable criteria
16. PET 1 and 2
17. Masters modules
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
18. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
19. 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