Job summary A new and exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated nurses to join the Clinical Network Services Division. The positions are full time 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. The post will involve offering specialist nursing input to patients with oesophago-gastric cancer. Together with the established oesophago-gastric cancer team and multi-disciplinary team, the Associate CNS will aim to deliver an enhanced patient experience. The Associate CNS will work within the busy and dynamic UGI team. The majority of patients will be receiving treatment to control their cancer and often have supportive and palliative needs. Sign posting patients to appropriate services, providing advice, support and symptom management is a fundamental aspect of the CNS role. They will be line-managed and work in conjunction with the Band 7 UGI Clinical Nurse Specialist. The successful candidate will have oncology experience, be highly motivated and driven to improve patient care. The candidate must have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. They will also have well-developed clinical and professional leadership skills to encourage and promote best outcomes for patients, their relatives, and carers. The ability to work autonomously is paramount for this post together with confidence to engage and work with a range of colleagues at all levels and from all professional groups. Main duties of the job You will provide specialist support and advice to patients with UGI cancers and act as their keyworker. You will oversee and co-ordinate care to deliver a supportive nursing service for patients and their families receiving treatment at The Christie. You will be responsible for delivering specialist CNS cancer care across organisational, professional, and geographical boundaries both autonomously and as part of a dedicated team. We welcome you to contact us for an informal chat about this opportunity. Please contact Vikki Owen-Holt Vikki.owen-holtnhs.net or Christina Nuttall via christina.nuttallnhs.net for further information. Or by telephone 0161 956 1073 or 0161 4468099 About us The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK. Date posted 06 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 413-91166-CNS-AK Job locations Medical Oncology Nursing - E00032 Manchester M20 4BX Job description Job responsibilities DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Act as a key contact for patients with UGI malignancies and provide support for their carers and other healthcare professionals Provide advice, support and symptom management as appropriate, liaising with other relevant health care professionals Demonstrate knowledge of current best practice in relation to the treatment and management of patients with UGI malignancy Clinical duties 1. Attend medical and Clinical Oncology UGI clinics at The Christie in order to meet patients and their carers and provide relevant information to support their treatment. 2. Provide psychological support and make referrals to relevant professionals if appropriate 3. Participate in weekly review of radiotherapy/chemotherapy patients. Assessing toxicities, arranging appropriate prescriptions and alerting MDT to abnormal bloods. Completing EOT letters, arranging further follow up or admission if required. 4. Provide effective communication between patient, relatives/carer and MDT/ ward 5. Be fully conversant with treatment protocols and demonstrate knowledge of current evidence based management of patients with UGI malignancies. Liaise with UGI research nursing team accordingly 6. Accurately document patient care in accordance with Trust policies and standards 7. Liaise with appropriate team members when patients are admitted as in-patients, either at The Christie, or another Trust 8. Carry out clinical duties to ensure the patient pathway runs effectively and efficiently 9. Act in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code and other supporting documentation Professional/Clinical Leadership 1. Act as a role model and expert resource to patients, carers and colleagues 2. Support the Senior UGI CNS in acting as a specialist resource for the ward team providing care for patients with UGI malignancies 3. Evaluate service delivery, identify areas for improvement and initiate change and clinical development when appropriate 4. Keep accurate documentation of service delivery and performance using tools available on CWP 5. Receive clinical supervision and mentorship, if desired, in order to facilitate reflective practice 6. Attend and participate in the CNS forum Education and Development 1. Participate in annual appraisal and accept personal responsibility for professional growth and development. Maintain a professional portfolio 2. Ensure compliance with Trust mandatory training 3. Contribute to educational programmes in collaboration with CNS colleagues. This could include teaching colleagues, dissemination of best practice through presentations, and participation in patient education days 4. Attend relevant educational meetings in order to keep up-dated with current best practice 5. In collaboration with other colleagues, develop information and resources for patients and their carers Research and audit 1. In collaboration with colleagues, undertake clinical and organisational audit in order to improve practice 2. Disseminate change in evidence based practice to colleagues at The Christie and the wider network 3. Evaluate service delivery; identify areas for improvement, and initiate change as appropriate Job description Job responsibilities DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Act as a key contact for patients with UGI malignancies and provide support for their carers and other healthcare professionals Provide advice, support and symptom management as appropriate, liaising with other relevant health care professionals Demonstrate knowledge of current best practice in relation to the treatment and management of patients with UGI malignancy Clinical duties 1. Attend medical and Clinical Oncology UGI clinics at The Christie in order to meet patients and their carers and provide relevant information to support their treatment. 2. Provide psychological support and make referrals to relevant professionals if appropriate 3. Participate in weekly review of radiotherapy/chemotherapy patients. Assessing toxicities, arranging appropriate prescriptions and alerting MDT to abnormal bloods. Completing EOT letters, arranging further follow up or admission if required. 4. Provide effective communication between patient, relatives/carer and MDT/ ward 5. Be fully conversant with treatment protocols and demonstrate knowledge of current evidence based management of patients with UGI malignancies. Liaise with UGI research nursing team accordingly 6. Accurately document patient care in accordance with Trust policies and standards 7. Liaise with appropriate team members when patients are admitted as in-patients, either at The Christie, or another Trust 8. Carry out clinical duties to ensure the patient pathway runs effectively and efficiently 9. Act in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code and other supporting documentation Professional/Clinical Leadership 1. Act as a role model and expert resource to patients, carers and colleagues 2. Support the Senior UGI CNS in acting as a specialist resource for the ward team providing care for patients with UGI malignancies 3. Evaluate service delivery, identify areas for improvement and initiate change and clinical development when appropriate 4. Keep accurate documentation of service delivery and performance using tools available on CWP 5. Receive clinical supervision and mentorship, if desired, in order to facilitate reflective practice 6. Attend and participate in the CNS forum Education and Development 1. Participate in annual appraisal and accept personal responsibility for professional growth and development. Maintain a professional portfolio 2. Ensure compliance with Trust mandatory training 3. Contribute to educational programmes in collaboration with CNS colleagues. This could include teaching colleagues, dissemination of best practice through presentations, and participation in patient education days 4. Attend relevant educational meetings in order to keep up-dated with current best practice 5. In collaboration with other colleagues, develop information and resources for patients and their carers Research and audit 1. In collaboration with colleagues, undertake clinical and organisational audit in order to improve practice 2. Disseminate change in evidence based practice to colleagues at The Christie and the wider network 3. Evaluate service delivery; identify areas for improvement, and initiate change as appropriate Person Specification Qualifications Essential Registered general nurse (RGN) Degree or diploma in nursing studies Desirable Palliative care certificate Counselling qualification Advanced communication skills Post registration in oncology Experience Essential Minimum three years post registration experience Upper GI experience Oncology experience Desirable Experience of independent practice Experience of caring for patients with enhanced care needs and also at end of life Skills Essential Enhanced communication skills Able to work autonomously as well as part of a team Aware of own limitations Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues across health and social care setting Ability to organise and prioritise workload Desirable Evidence of effective team working across professional and organisational boundaries Knowledge Essential Knowledge of professional and NHS issues and policies Evidence of continuing professional development. Desirable Knowledge of current management pathways relating to UGI cancer Values Essential Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours Other Essential Able to demonstrate flexibility in working hours Ability to respond appropriately to emergency or critical situations Person Specification Qualifications Essential Registered general nurse (RGN) Degree or diploma in nursing studies Desirable Palliative care certificate Counselling qualification Advanced communication skills Post registration in oncology Experience Essential Minimum three years post registration experience Upper GI experience Oncology experience Desirable Experience of independent practice Experience of caring for patients with enhanced care needs and also at end of life Skills Essential Enhanced communication skills Able to work autonomously as well as part of a team Aware of own limitations Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues across health and social care setting Ability to organise and prioritise workload Desirable Evidence of effective team working across professional and organisational boundaries Knowledge Essential Knowledge of professional and NHS issues and policies Evidence of continuing professional development. Desirable Knowledge of current management pathways relating to UGI cancer Values Essential Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours Other Essential Able to demonstrate flexibility in working hours Ability to respond appropriately to emergency or critical situations 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 The Christie NHS FT Address Medical Oncology Nursing - E00032 Manchester M20 4BX Employer's website https://www.christie.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)