Job summary Fixed Term for 12 Months An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and experienced nurse to join our innovative team supporting and managing the care of Head and neck patients. The post holder will be joining an excellent team providing leadership and guidance to colleagues throughout the Trust to facilitate optimal patient and pathway management. We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic individual with advanced nursing skills and exemplary communication and organisational skills to help us deliver exceptional care to our patients. The successful applicant will require advanced nursing skills, resilience and drive with a desire and ability to review and develop the services we provide. In return you will receive mentorship, and educational and academic opportunities to enable progression of your career as an nurse practitioner. Please note, this vacancy may close should a sufficient number of applications be received. Main duties of the job Ensure nursing care is delivered in an expert and professional manner compatible with current research-based protocols and be responsible for maintaining accurate, effective and comprehensive written nursing records by regularly evaluating nursing documentation in accordance with the NMC guidelines. Provide support and assessment for in-patients/day case patients. Provision of information, advice and support to in-patients and out-patients and their relatives and carers. Provide support to ward staff, liaison between services. Develop and manage nurse-led services in assessment, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients. Act as Key Worker to patients undergoing investigations and diagnosis of cancer. Provide support to services to ensure timely and appropriate pre-admission care, in-patient interventions and discharge planning. In conjunction with the Multi-Disciplinary Team, provide support to patients undergoing cancer surgery and treatment. About us Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 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. 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 Date posted 11 April 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 409-7004524 Job locations Southport and ODGH DGH and St Helens and Knowsley Town Lane Southport PR8 6PN Job description Job responsibilities KEY DUTIES CLINICAL Ensure nursing care is delivered in an expert and professional manner compatible with current research-based protocols and be responsible for maintaining accurate, effective and comprehensive written nursing records by regularly evaluating nursing documentation in accordance with the NMC guidelines. Provide support and assessment for in-patients/day case patients. Provision of information, advice and support to in-patients and out-patients and their relatives and carers. Provide support to ward staff, liaison between services. Develop and manage nurse-led services in assessment, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients. Act as Key Worker to patients undergoing investigations and diagnosis of cancer. Provide support to services to ensure timely and appropriate pre-admission care, in-patient interventions and discharge planning. In conjunction with the Multi-Disciplinary Team, provide support to patients undergoing cancer surgery and treatment. Ensure effective liaison and referral processes with other specialities for example oncology, palliative care. Act on concerns raised by team members or service users taking appropriate action according to Trust Policies and Guidelines. Demonstrate and monitor competency in clinical skills including clinical examination required for the post and work to define protocols and guidelines for example clinical examination, non-medical prescribing. LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT Maintain professional competence, authority and credibility through clinical practice, acting as a role model and leader, providing supervision, support and mentorship to nursing staff. Contribute to the service development of ENT/MFU services within the Trust. Promote and disseminate best practice within the Trust and external networks. Assist in the development, implementation and monitoring of evidence-based nursing practice standards, guidelines, protocols, policies and care pathways. Support Trust managers and cancer leads to achieve appropriate targets for tumour group and end of life strategies. Actively participate in peer review, clinical and managerial supervision. EDUCATION & TRAINING Identify and provide support, advice and teaching to nursing and junior medical staff in the care and management of head and neck patients. Contribute to in-house clinical skills programmes. Act as a mentor/supervisor for nurses undertaking higher educational awards within the speciality. Contribute to the pre-registration nurses educational experience, acting as a mentor for practice placements. CLINICAL GOVERNANCE To develop and implement clinical audit of own practice, protocols and procedures to demonstrate clinical effectiveness. Act on concerns raised by team members or service users taking appropriate action according to Trust Policies and Guidelines. Record and report incidents, accidents or complaints to the Head of Nursing and act in accordance with Trust Policy. Participate and lead in clinical research. To introduce and apply research findings to nursing practice where relevant. Act in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Code of Conduct at all times. Undertake appropriate mandatory training in infection control and comply with all Trust Infection Control policies relevant to the post, particularly with regard to the Hand Hygiene Policy. Ensure compliance to all Trust Risk Management, Research Governance and Infection Control Policies and Procedures and abide by the Standards for Better Health. Responsible for ensuring own continuing professional development and identifying development needs within the Trust knowledge and skills development review process. Contribute to the Trusts programmes for monitoring and ensuring adherence to Clinical Standards, for example NICE Guidelines, Quality Surveillance Programme and National Service Frameworks. Job description Job responsibilities KEY DUTIES CLINICAL Ensure nursing care is delivered in an expert and professional manner compatible with current research-based protocols and be responsible for maintaining accurate, effective and comprehensive written nursing records by regularly evaluating nursing documentation in accordance with the NMC guidelines. Provide support and assessment for in-patients/day case patients. Provision of information, advice and support to in-patients and out-patients and their relatives and carers. Provide support to ward staff, liaison between services. Develop and manage nurse-led services in assessment, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients. Act as Key Worker to patients undergoing investigations and diagnosis of cancer. Provide support to services to ensure timely and appropriate pre-admission care, in-patient interventions and discharge planning. In conjunction with the Multi-Disciplinary Team, provide support to patients undergoing cancer surgery and treatment. Ensure effective liaison and referral processes with other specialities for example oncology, palliative care. Act on concerns raised by team members or service users taking appropriate action according to Trust Policies and Guidelines. Demonstrate and monitor competency in clinical skills including clinical examination required for the post and work to define protocols and guidelines for example clinical examination, non-medical prescribing. LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT Maintain professional competence, authority and credibility through clinical practice, acting as a role model and leader, providing supervision, support and mentorship to nursing staff. Contribute to the service development of ENT/MFU services within the Trust. Promote and disseminate best practice within the Trust and external networks. Assist in the development, implementation and monitoring of evidence-based nursing practice standards, guidelines, protocols, policies and care pathways. Support Trust managers and cancer leads to achieve appropriate targets for tumour group and end of life strategies. Actively participate in peer review, clinical and managerial supervision. EDUCATION & TRAINING Identify and provide support, advice and teaching to nursing and junior medical staff in the care and management of head and neck patients. Contribute to in-house clinical skills programmes. Act as a mentor/supervisor for nurses undertaking higher educational awards within the speciality. Contribute to the pre-registration nurses educational experience, acting as a mentor for practice placements. CLINICAL GOVERNANCE To develop and implement clinical audit of own practice, protocols and procedures to demonstrate clinical effectiveness. Act on concerns raised by team members or service users taking appropriate action according to Trust Policies and Guidelines. Record and report incidents, accidents or complaints to the Head of Nursing and act in accordance with Trust Policy. Participate and lead in clinical research. To introduce and apply research findings to nursing practice where relevant. Act in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Code of Conduct at all times. Undertake appropriate mandatory training in infection control and comply with all Trust Infection Control policies relevant to the post, particularly with regard to the Hand Hygiene Policy. Ensure compliance to all Trust Risk Management, Research Governance and Infection Control Policies and Procedures and abide by the Standards for Better Health. Responsible for ensuring own continuing professional development and identifying development needs within the Trust knowledge and skills development review process. Contribute to the Trusts programmes for monitoring and ensuring adherence to Clinical Standards, for example NICE Guidelines, Quality Surveillance Programme and National Service Frameworks. Person Specification Qualifications Essential First level registered nurse Degree in health related area Post registration qualification in specialist area Teaching & mentor qualifications, eg, Level 6, Mentoring in Practice Desirable Recognised counselling qualification eg Level 3: Diploma in Counselling Skills Knowledge and experience Essential Clinical experience in specialty or cancer related area Experience of ongoing continuing professional development Understanding of professional priorities and issues Desirable Participation in service development and implement of change Skills and abilities Essential Ability to communicate unpleasant/sensitive information to patients in a variety of settings Able to influence and overcome resistance through application of communication skills Able to analyse data and provide written reports Intermediate IT skills in word processing and spread sheets Able to prioritise, meet deadlines, use initiative and make decisions Knowledge of professional and NHS issues and policy relating to specialist areas Able to present information to professional groups Able to perform assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care Able to participate/undertake clinical audit and research Excellent communications skills Person Specification Qualifications Essential First level registered nurse Degree in health related area Post registration qualification in specialist area Teaching & mentor qualifications, eg, Level 6, Mentoring in Practice Desirable Recognised counselling qualification eg Level 3: Diploma in Counselling Skills Knowledge and experience Essential Clinical experience in specialty or cancer related area Experience of ongoing continuing professional development Understanding of professional priorities and issues Desirable Participation in service development and implement of change Skills and abilities Essential Ability to communicate unpleasant/sensitive information to patients in a variety of settings Able to influence and overcome resistance through application of communication skills Able to analyse data and provide written reports Intermediate IT skills in word processing and spread sheets Able to prioritise, meet deadlines, use initiative and make decisions Knowledge of professional and NHS issues and policy relating to specialist areas Able to present information to professional groups Able to perform assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care Able to participate/undertake clinical audit and research Excellent communications skills 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Address Southport and ODGH DGH and St Helens and Knowsley Town Lane Southport PR8 6PN Employer's website https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)