Upper Gastrointestinal Nurse Specialist
Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (MWL) provides clinical support to patients with cancers of the Upper GI tract, and an exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and motivated nurse to join a well‑established Upper GI team.
We are looking for an innovative, forward‑thinking nurse who is highly motivated to improve practice and committed to developing clinical skills.
The Upper Gastrointestinal Nurse Specialist acts as a keyworker and provides a continuous point of contact throughout the patients' pathway from diagnosis and onwards. Applications for this post are invited from nurses who have experience in gastrointestinal, oncology or palliative care nursing. You should also have a degree and possess excellent communication skills with a commitment to continuing education.
The successful post holder will work across both Whiston and St Helens hospital sites. A friendly, supportive working environment is offered, and as the post is Macmillan badged you may have access to financial support for personal professional development.
Closing date: 01 June 2026.
Main duties of the job
* Assess, plan, implement and evaluate evidence‑based nursing care programmes.
* Provide expert advice and clinical practice.
* Provide specialist education and training to others.
* Work collaboratively and cooperatively with clinical colleagues to develop services and improve quality of care.
* Lead the development of clinical services within the specialist field.
* Provide leadership to the specialist nursing team in the provision of first‑contact assessments, diagnosis and comprehensive assessment. Triage more complex conditions where specialist treatment is required to the appropriate nursing staff.
* Manage an agreed patient caseload, applying advanced clinical judgement when the diagnosis is uncertain.
* Order, undertake, interpret and act upon diagnostic tests and investigations.
* Possess independent endoscopist skills or willingness to undertake training for preliminary diagnosis.
* Identify, assess and triage patients to ensure smooth transition to other services as appropriate.
* Undertake highly specialist procedures and lead clinical pathways, prioritising cases for treatment where required.
* Support the team to develop comprehensive care plans with measurable outcomes, including advice or education to other staff and carers.
* Ensure the team involves patients, carers and relatives in care planning and delivery.
* Act as a highly autonomous practitioner, exercising judgement, discretion and decision making with minimal supervision.
* Maintain compliance with relevant regulations such as the Quality Surveillance Programme, drug administration, record keeping and data collection.
* Develop protocols for nurse‑led clinics, evaluating outcomes and monitoring activity.
* Initiate medication/treatment reviews independently.
* Manage complex cases and specialist investigations, referring to the MDT as appropriate.
* Develop integrated care with primary and secondary clinicians and other agencies.
* Ensure appropriate services are in place to support home management of the condition, supported by the multidisciplinary team.
* Abide by legal requirements and statutory rules, promoting high standards of professional practice in line with the NMC Code.
* Maintain specialist clinical skills in assessment and treatment of patients within the area of responsibility.
* Develop and deliver Living with and beyond Cancer patient support services.
* Develop and deliver the Recovery package as per NHS England requirements.
* Provide specialist telephone advice.
* Maintain the key‑worker role.
Clinical & Professional Responsibilities
* Perform comprehensive assessment of patient nursing needs and plan, implement and evaluate care delivery.
* Perform advanced clinical skills in assessment and/or diagnosis and/or treatment.
* Collect, collate, evaluate and report information, maintaining accurate patient records.
* Involve patients and carers in planning and delivery of care.
* Monitor investigation results, initiating further assessment or review and coordinating treatment pathways as required.
* Work collaboratively with professionals and agencies to ensure discharge arrangements.
* Maintain effective communication with patients, carers and professionals across services.
* Contribute to health and promotion agenda with the local health economy.
* Work towards non‑medical prescribing as per NMC and trust guidance.
* Keep up to date with best prescribing practice in the specialist area.
* Attend clinical supervision sessions.
Administrative Responsibilities
* Support direct patient care through administrative tasks.
* Dictate and sign letters.
* Request appointments for patients.
* Process clinical outcome sheets.
* Update the Somerset Cancer Registry.
* Prepare report writing and presentations.
* Address issues raised by remote follow‑up clinic service.
Teaching & Training Responsibilities
* Identify learning needs, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of education.
* Participate in the education of nurses, doctors, AHPs, patients and carers and contribute to curriculum development where appropriate.
* Address specific health targets such as CHI, NICE guidance and NSF in relation to practice through education.
* Ensure compliance with mandatory training and PREP requirements.
Line Management / Supervisory Responsibilities
* Provide specialist clinical knowledge to colleagues, patients and carers.
* Evaluate service delivery against key performance targets and national quality measures, identifying improvement areas and initiating change.
* Ensure efficient use of physical and financial resources, making suggestions for supplies and equipment.
* Collect, collate and report activity data to key stakeholders, producing formal reports.
Research & Audit
* Identify needs, participate in and undertake research, clinical audits, benchmarking and equipment trials to improve patient care.
* Disseminate findings through presentations and publication.
* Develop and implement policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to the area of work.
* Promote patient and public involvement activities in the specialist area, leading to service improvement.
* Promote equality, diversity, and rights.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* NMC registration on Part 1 of the Register.
* Substantial years post‑registration.
* Substantial years working experience.
* Specialty‑related course.
* Communication skills training (e.g., Advanced Communications).
* Completed clinical examination and/or clinical diagnostics.
* Non‑medical prescribing qualification.
Knowledge and Experience
* Knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of Upper Gastrointestinal diseases.
* Experience of caring for patients with upper gastrointestinal disease.
* Understanding of cancer national agenda, quality standards, NICE guidance and CQC.
* Knowledge of current clinical and nursing research.
* Experience of multidisciplinary team working.
* Understanding of Macmillan priorities and role as a partner organisation.
* Experience line managing.
* Experience interpreting diagnostic tests and investigations.
* Understanding of the recovery package.
* Understanding of the key‑worker role.
* Ability to facilitate an education programme.
* Willingness to undertake nurse‑led follow‑up clinics.
* Experience developing clinical pathways and/or protocols.
* Ability to conduct and evaluate patient experience surveys.
Skills
* Willingness to develop skills to undertake advanced invasive procedures.
* Work autonomously and as part of an MDT to deliver high‑quality clinical care.
* Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal and communication skills.
* Time‑management and organisational skills.
* Presentation skills.
Other
* Flexible approach to work.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a disclosure check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.
£49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum (Pro Rata, if part time).
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