Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Acute Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist
The closing date is 09 February 2026
A rare opportunity has arisen to appoint an Acute Oncology (AO) Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) to join our innovative, nurse‑led Acute Oncology Service at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
This 12‑month fixed‑term / secondment post will provide maternity cover across Whiston and St Helens Hospital sites, supporting both inpatient and ambulatory cancer pathways.
You will join a well‑established and highly regarded team, providing expert guidance and support to colleagues across the Trust to ensure high‑quality, patient‑centred cancer care. We are seeking a dynamic, motivated, and resilient nurse with strong communication and organisational skills, and experience in the care and management of cancer and cancer treatment‑related complications.
Currently under AfC review and subject to change.
Main duties of the job
You will deliver high‑quality acute oncology care, including:
* Inpatient advice and clinical management
* Supporting cancer patients presenting to the Emergency Department
* Working within Cancer Same Day Emergency Care (cSDEC)
* Contributing to our award‑winning Brain Tumour Optimisation Pathway
This is a varied and complex role requiring close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and involvement in the care of patients across multiple tumour pathways.
About us
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
Our Services
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
* Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
* Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
* National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Job responsibilities
Main Duties
* Rotate between St Helens and Whiston Hospitals
* Support both inpatient and ambulatory oncology services
* Contribute to a service operating Monday to Friday (including bank holidays)
* Work collaboratively with medical oncology, hospital teams, and community services
* Deliver education to healthcare professionals across the Trust
* Contribute to service development and innovation
What We Offer
* Mentorship from the Lead Nurse and Advanced Nurse Practitioners
* Access to specialist training and professional development
* Opportunity to complete the National Acute Oncology Passport
* A supportive, forward‑thinking MDT environment
* The chance to work in a nationally recognised and innovative service
This role offers an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic nurse keen to develop specialist skills, work autonomously and collaboratively, and make a meaningful impact on cancer patient care.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* NMC Registration
* Educated to degree level or equivalent clinical experience
* Post registration study in relevant Speciality Related Course
* Teaching qualification or relevant supervisory / mentorship experience
* Completion of SACT passport/N59 or equivalent experience
* Completion of Acute Oncology Passport at level 1/2
Experience
* Post registration experience of caring for patients with a diagnosis of cancer
* Experience in caring for patients receiving systemic anti‑cancer therapy and assessment of toxicity
* Experience of multidisciplinary team working
* Experience of delivering education to staff and or patients
* Evidence of knowledge of diagnostic tests and investigations, interpretation of results and take actions as appropriate
* Experience of line management
Skills
* Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal and communication skills
* Time management and organisational skills
* Committed to ongoing personal development
Other
* Flexible approach to work
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per Annum, Pro Rata
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