Acute Oncology Services Clinical Nurse Specialist
We are pleased to invite applications to join a well‑established nurse‑led Acute Oncology 7‑day service (AOS). This vacancy is for a 1.0 WTE (37.5 hours per week) cross‑site AOS CNS post to replace a 2‑year fixed‑term secondment.
AOS supports cancer patients who attend as emergency admissions due to cancer‑related or treatment‑related complications. AOS CNSs play a significant role in ensuring cancer patients experience excellent care and support across Frimley Health by providing expert advice and linking with treating oncology teams.
Main duties of the job
* Provide specialist support and advice to patients with Primary Brain cancer and Cancer of unknown primary, acting as their Key Worker.
* Oversee and co‑coordinate services and personalise the cancer pathway for these patients from pre‑diagnosis to aftercare.
* Support the AOS Lead Nurse with the Vague symptoms/Non‑specific (NSS) and Incidental findings clinic for early investigation and diagnosis of malignancy.
* Provide a cross‑site 7‑day service for oncology patients attending hospital as an emergency admission in Frimley Park and Wexham Park hospitals.
* Triage referrals from GPs across the patch for patients presenting with non‑specific but concerning symptoms to improve early diagnosis of cancer.
* Work independently and autonomously with support from the wider multi‑disciplinary team including oncologists, cancer CNSs, acute medical physicians and HCP across A&E and in‑patient wards.
* Have experience at band 6 level.
* Be willing to work towards advanced physical assessment and non‑medical prescribing.
* Support audit and reporting of national minimum data set for AOS/MSCC.
Working for our organisation
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability‑confident employer and offers first‑class development opportunities for all staff with a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available. The Trust values a healthy work‑life balance and flexibility in working patterns to meet staff and service needs.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
* The post‑holder will act as KeyWorker for patients admitted to the trust with an oncological emergency, a suspected cancer diagnosis, carcinoma of unknown primary or a primary brain cancer, providing a link between patients and health care professionals across primary, secondary and tertiary care and act as an advocate for patients/families.
* Continuously develop, implement and evaluate the Acute Oncology Service to improve and maintain standards of patient care and promote a seamless service within a multi‑professional framework.
* Be a clinical expert in Acute Oncology and Carcinoma of Unknown Primary with excellent communication skills, working autonomously and independently within an integrated collaborative team.
* Ensure that service users are actively involved in the development of the service and that their recommendations are disseminated to the Cancer Management Team, ensuring appropriate actions are devised.
* Ensure the role reflects the core components of the clinical nurse specialist: clinical practice, management/organisation, education, research and audit, taking into account the national cancer agenda and its impact on service delivery.
* Puts quality at the heart of practice by delivering evidence‑based individualised and personalised care through holistic needs assessment, planning and evaluation of care and all care interventions.
* Invite applications from nurses who have experience at a senior level in oncology.
* Demonstrate experience of independent working and physical assessment skills.
* Hold a degree, a recognised oncology qualification and excellent communication skills.
* Commit to providing cancer‑related education to staff of all grades and disciplines as well as personal CPD for continued education.
Person Specification
Qualifications (Essential)
* Registered Nurse with current NMC registration.
* Degree in Nursing.
* Oncology qualification.
* Evidence of continuous professional training.
* Teaching and assessing/mentorship.
* Advanced communication skills training.
* Advanced physical assessment skills or working towards.
* Psychology Level 2 training.
Qualifications (Desirable)
* Non‑Medical Prescribing or working towards.
* Counselling/communication qualification.
* Masters degree or working towards.
Competences (Essential)
* Good time management and prioritisation skills.
* Ability to work independently and within a team.
* Good verbal and written communication, teaching and presentation skills.
* IT literate: MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel skills.
* Ability to influence current practice and influence change.
* Patient education/counselling skills.
* Awareness of national cancer agenda and guidelines.
* Flexible team player.
* Manage responsibility, pressure and emotional circumstances.
* Enthusiastic, motivated and committed to self‑development.
* Advanced listening skills.
Competences (Desirable)
* Audit and research experience.
* Report writing experience.
* Project management.
Experience (Essential)
* Current experience working in cancer clinical services at band 6.
* Experience in training and education of clinical staff.
* Leadership and management experience.
* Ability to lead and influence change.
Experience (Desirable)
* Experience of running nurse‑led clinics.
* Team management experience.
* Previous experience working as a clinical nurse specialist.
* Experience or audit and research.
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of over 900,000 people across Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and South Buckinghamshire, and remains committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities. We continue to invest heavily in our services and facilities, including the new £100 m Heatherwood Hospital, the £49 m Emergency Assessment Centre at Wexham Park and the £10 m upgrade to maternity services.
We are also committed to sustainability and the NHS Net Zero ambition, embedding sustainable practices across all areas of care and operations, and encouraging digital innovation and quality improvement. Our electronic patient record (Epic) launched in 2024 supports safer and more connected care pathways.
Apply online now.
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