Acute Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist

As a Acute Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, you will

play a key role in supporting patients who become acutely unwell as a result of

their cancer or its treatment.

You will use your oncology knowledge and clinical

assessment skills to identify patients needs, support timely investigation and

treatment, and coordinate care across acute, specialist and community services.

You will work closely with oncologists, cancer teams and the wider

multidisciplinary team to ensure patients receive safe, responsive and

well-coordinated care.

A significant part of the role is providing specialist

advice, information and emotional support to patients and their families,

including during periods of uncertainty, new diagnosis or changing treatment

needs. You will act as a key worker and advocate for patients, ensuring care is

personalised and their priorities are understood.

You will also have opportunities to develop your specialist practice,

support and educate colleagues, contribute to audit and quality improvement,

and help shape the continued development of the Acute Oncology Service.

The Acute Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist will work

as an integral member of the Acute Oncology Service, providing specialist

nursing care, advice and support to patients experiencing acute complications

associated with cancer and its treatment.

Specialists, Consultant Oncologists and wider multidisciplinary teams, you will

support the assessment, management and coordination of care for patients

presenting across the Trust. This includes patients with treatment-related

toxicities, metastatic spinal cord compression, cancer of unknown primary and

those presenting with serious non-specific signs and symptoms where cancer is

suspected.

You will assess patients individual needs, contribute

to the planning and delivery of appropriate investigations and treatment, and

support timely referral to relevant cancer and specialist services. You will

use your clinical judgement to prioritise care and will develop increasing

autonomy within the role, working within your professional competence and with

appropriate support and supervision from senior members of the Acute Oncology

team.

Communication is central to this role. You will provide

specialist information, advice and support to patients and their families at

what can be a highly uncertain and challenging time. This may include

supporting patients following a new or suspected cancer diagnosis, discussing

treatment and care options and communicating complex or sensitive information.

You will act as a key worker for appropriate patients, helping to ensure that

they, their families and the professionals involved in their care are well

informed and that care is coordinated effectively.

You will promote personalised care throughout the

patient pathway, including the use of Holistic Needs Assessments and

Personalised Care and Support Plans where appropriate. You will advocate for

patients, ensuring their individual needs, preferences and priorities are

recognised and incorporated into their care.

The role requires close collaborative working with

site-specific cancer teams, oncology and haematology services, specialist

palliative care, primary and community care and other relevant services. You

will contribute to effective communication across organisational and

professional boundaries to promote continuity of care and a positive patient

You will manage and prioritise your own workload and

caseload, maintaining accurate and timely clinical documentation and supporting

the effective movement of patients through diagnostic, treatment and follow-up

pathways.

As your specialist practice develops, you will have

opportunities to further enhance your clinical assessment and decision-making

skills. Where appropriate training and competencies have been achieved, this

may include the use of advanced clinical skills and non-medical prescribing.

An important element of the post is supporting the

development of knowledge and confidence in colleagues caring for acutely unwell

patients with cancer. You will act as a specialist resource for nursing,

medical and other healthcare professionals, sharing knowledge, providing advice

and contributing to education and training.

You will contribute to the ongoing development of the

Acute Oncology Service through audit, evaluation, quality improvement and the

development of evidence-based practice. You will support the collection and use

of service data and patient feedback to identify opportunities to improve

quality, safety, patient experience and outcomes.

The postholder will be encouraged to contribute to

research and innovation relevant to Acute Oncology and cancer care and to

maintain their own professional development through education, clinical

supervision and engagement with local, regional and national specialist

networks.

You will demonstrate professional leadership and act as

a positive role model, promoting compassionate, safe and effective care. You

will work in accordance with the NMC Code, relevant NICE guidance, Trust

policies and professional standards, maintaining accountability for your

practice at all times.

This is a varied and rewarding specialist nursing role offering the

opportunity to develop expertise in Acute Oncology while making a meaningful

contribution to the experience and outcomes of patients affected by cancer and

its treatment.

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on

AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of

success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Special Skills & Knowledge

Special Requirements

Experience

Statutory Registration

Essential: - Registered Nurse (Adult) on Part 1 of the NMC Register.; - Valid UK NMC PIN and registration maintained in accordance with NMC requirements.

Qualifications