Job summary
The Cancer Services team at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is excited to offer an opportunity for a dedicated and enthusiastic Clinical Nurse Specialist to join our Acute Oncology Service (AOS) on a full-time basis.
You will work alongside our Acute Oncology Advanced Nurse Practitioner to enhance and expand our services.
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to support the growth of our AOS, helping to shape a service that delivers improved care for our patients.
This role offers the chance to contribute to the development of a new care model, providing education and support to tumour site teams, as well as Emergency Care and ward-based staff. You will play a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes and advancing our service.
If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of an evolving and dynamic team, we'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
In conjunction with the ANP and clinical lead for Acute Oncology, the post holder will lead the provision of the clinical management of patients that present to the hospital who are unwell as a result of their cancer, side effects of their cancer treatment or have a new diagnosis of cancer. This also includes the management of those patients that present with a cancer of unknown primary.
This post will be pivotal to the development, promotion, and delivery of a new service model. The ongoing education of colleagues at all levels will also be a central component.
The post holder will apply a high level of autonomy and demonstrate strong leadership qualities. They should also possess advanced communication skills and be able to communicate complex and sensitive information.
About us
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.
We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imaging models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.
At West Herts we offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance and the ability to work flexibly.
We kindly invite you to consider submitting an application.
If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact
If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The AOS CNS will work alongside the ANP to undertake assessments, implement patient care and give advice in relation to patients presenting to the Trust with acute problems as a result of their cancer or complications of their cancer treatment utilising specific clinical knowledge, skills and experience.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
1. First level RGN registration.
2. Teaching qualification eg ENB 998 or extensive experience.
3. Educated to Degree level.
4. Relevant post registration qualifications in oncology / haematology/ palliative care.
5. Evidence of recent professional development.
Desirable
6. Educated or working towards Masters level.
7. Clinical Examination Module at Level 6/7 or willingness to work towards.
8. Psychological support training at level 2.
9. Post Registration Experience.
10. Advanced communication.
Knowledge
Essential
11. Working in the health care sector with staff management experience.
12. Up-to-date knowledge of the cancer, palliative care and EOL agenda.
13. Significant post registration experience in oncology and caring for patients with cancer.
14. Understanding of the cancer patient and carer issues and their role in service improvement.
15. Experience of working across a variety of care settings.
16. Evidence of innovation/change management.
17. Understanding of the Key worker role.
18. Knowledge and understanding of oncological emergencies.
Desirable
19. Understanding of Achieving World Class Cancer of Outcomes.
20. Understanding of Improving Outcomes: A strategy for Cancer.
21. NHS Long Term Plan 2022.
22. Knowledge of commissioning.
Experience
Essential
23. Experience in Oncology/Palliative Care. Post registration experience at Band 6 within an acute cancer/or palliative care setting.
24. Teaching/educating of nurses and patients.
25. Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
26. Highly developed interpersonal skills with an ability to inspire and motivate teams.
27. Ability to work with multi professional/ cultural organisations, across organisational boundaries.
28. Demonstrates advanced clinical skills in managing complex care situations.
29. Wide range of experience in providing multi disciplinary education within the specialist field.
30. Experience of undertaking and applying research, audit to deliver the clinical governance agenda.
31. Practical experience of participating in change / developing practice, project management.
32. IT skills.
Desirable
33. Proven experience of Change management.
34. Experience of implementing research and audit programmes/surveys.