Job overview
Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialist
Louis Dundas Centre
Oncology Outreach & Palliative Care
Full Time. Secondment cover.
This is an exciting opportunity to work with the Louis Dundas Centre for Oncology Outreach and Palliative Care at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). The Louis Dundas Centre provides expert tertiary level care to children with malignant haematology, oncology and life-threatening / life-limiting conditions, both within GOSH and to those referred from outside the hospital whose care is now focused mainly on palliation. The team also provides support from diagnosis through to the end of treatment to families of children diagnosed with a malignant disease, visiting children and families in the home and liaising with outside agencies.
The Louis Dundas Centre combines both clinical and academic/research units, providing an opportunity for the post holder to work closely with the academic unit and contribute to the Centre’s drive to develop and promote evidence-based palliative care and symptom management. The team provides teaching support and education to shared care hospitals and children’s hospices.
We need a dynamic, experienced Clinical Nurse Specialist to have nursing responsibility for a defined caseload of children and families, incorporating co-ordination of care within GOSH and the community. It is essential that you provide effective nursing leadership, expertise, advice and support to ensure provision of high-quality care to children and their families. The successful candidate will take part in the ‘first on’ rota to provide a 24-hour telephone on call service supporting families and professionals in the child’s preferred place of care.
Applicants should possess a degree level qualification in a health or science-based subject or equivalent and have tertiary level specialist palliative care experience in caring for children and families with life-limiting and/or life-threatening conditions. As this is an outreach post it is preferable the applicant holds a full UK Driving License and owns a car but it is not essential.
For further information or to arrange an informal visit please contact June Hemsley or Maggie Comac on 0207 829 8678 or via email at or ;
Closing date – 14th June 2026
Main duties of the job
•Take responsibility for a defined caseload of children with oncology and malignant haematology conditions, and children with life-limiting conditions that require palliative care; and their families incorporating a care co-ordination remit as agreed.
•Provide effective nursing leadership, expertise, advice and support to haematology/ oncology and those children requiring palliative care to ensure the provision of high quality care to children and families.
•Act as a role model and highly competent practitioner.
•Act as a designated resource to children and families, and other shared care professionals.
•Facilitate the development of all the staff within the team, including registered nurses, student nurses, doctors and others to support staff in delivering care based upon the most up-to-date evidence and best practice.
•Promote an innovative and progressive attitude to the continual improvement of patient care through research and evidence-based practice.
•Use measurable outcomes for safety, patient experience and service efficiency.
•Have line management or supervisory responsibility for other members of the specialist nursing team as appropriate.
•Develop and update clinical practice guidelines.
•Work in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, Trust policies and procedures and the Trust’s Personal Responsibility Framework.
The post-holder will work within the Louis Dundas Centre Oncology Outreach and Palliative Care team, with whom they will provide reciprocal cross cover within the service for short leave periods between individuals in the CNS team to ensure continuity of a quality service for all patients.
Working for our organisation
We are committed to recruiting the best person for the job through a fair, open and consistent process that is free from bias and discrimination.
We are working towards becoming an anti-racist organisation. This means creating a workplace where every colleague feels seen, heard and valued, and where racism in any form has no place. Our anti-racism commitment is backed by action through our Anti-Racism Statement and action plan, developed in collaboration with our REACH staff network.
We actively challenge discrimination, dismantle barriers and embed equity across all aspects of our workforce, including recruitment, progression and development. All applicants will receive equal consideration regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, health condition or employment history.
We particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions, and LGBTQ+ community members. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Business Disability Forum, and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.
Our staff networks, including REACH, PRIDE, ENABLED and Women’s Networks, are active and executive supported. These employee-led networks play a vital role in shaping an inclusive culture at GOSH and are open to all colleagues.
Together, we are building a culture where inclusion is not optional - it is essential.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.
Person specification
GOSH Culture and Values
Essential criteria
* Our Always values •Always welcoming •Always helpful •Always expert •Always one team
* Knowledge and understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
* Understanding of Diversity and Inclusion challenges in the workplace.
* Demonstrable contribution to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Academic/Professional qualification/Training
Essential criteria
* On the relevant part of the NMC register Children’s registered
* Evidence of ongoing, dynamic continuing professional development within the specialty, linked to demonstrable clinical competencies
* Assessing and mentoring qualification
* Possession of a relevant honours degree
Desirable criteria
* Recognised teaching qualification
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Sufficient experience including within relevant clinical environment
* Experience of leading and managing a team
* Previous experience of research and audit
* Previous experience of change management and problem solving
* Experience of handling clinical incidents and complaints
* Demonstrates Compassion In Practice
* Expert knowledge relevant to the speciality/field or practice
* Understanding of professional and current issues in children’s nursing and healthcare, Laming Report, Francis report, CNO’s vision for Compassion In practice
* Detailed understanding of audit and research methodologies
* Understanding of resource management, health and safety, clinical risk and quality issues
* Child protection procedures
* Good attendance record
* Evidence of fulfilling PREP
* Experience of working as a CNS
Skills/Abilities
Essential criteria
* Excellent relevant clinical skills
* Expert specialist skills and abilities for the post
* Excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills
* Able to motivate and develop a multi-professional team
* Able to problem solve and initiate change
* Negotiating skills
* Self-discipline and good time management to support periods of lone working
* Interviewing skills
* Appraisal skills
* Ability to delegate and prioritise
* Excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills
* Excellent teaching, training and preceptorship skills
* Able to work across professional team and organizational boundaries
* Administration of IV drugs, as appropriate
* Phlebotomy and cannulation skills, as appropriate
* Administering medication under patient group directives or supplementary prescribing as appropriate
* Computer literate (word processing, PowerPoint presentation)
* Ability to initiate, manage and sustain change
* A flexible approach to work
* Ability to work as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team
* Ability to deal with conflict situations
* Be flexible with hours
Desirable criteria
* Car driver