Acute Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£39,959 to £48,117 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Durham, DH1 5TW
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	17 Sept 2026
Closing date:	8 Oct 2026

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Summary

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. Working alongside the Acute Oncology Clinical Nurse 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 experience. 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.

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