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Job overview
Join our specialist colorectal team and make a meaningful difference at every stage of the patient journey.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) to help deliver a responsive, high-quality service for patients referred on the suspected colorectal cancer pathway.
In this rewarding role, you will support patients and their families from assessment and diagnosis through treatment, recovery, and follow-up. Acting as a trusted point of contact, you will provide expert clinical advice, clear information, and emotional support during what can be an uncertain and challenging time.
Working closely with the wider multidisciplinary team and with the guidance of the Lead CNS, you will assess, plan, coordinate, and evaluate individualised patient care. You will play an important part in ensuring that pathways are timely, well organised, and centred around each patient’s needs.
The role will also give you the opportunity to support nurse-led clinics, coordinate treatment pathways, contribute to service development, and build specialist knowledge in colorectal cancer care.
This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated nurse who is keen to develop within a specialist field. You will receive dedicated training, mentorship, and support to grow your confidence, expertise, and career as a Colorectal CNS.
Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.
Main duties of the job
- Support the development of a responsive, high‑performing service that meets the challenges of increasing Suspected Cancer referrals, ensuring patients are seen swiftly and compassionately at every stage.
- Help deliver a smooth, efficient diagnostic and treatment pathway for patients with suspected colorectal cancer, ensuring they receive timely and coordinated care.
- Work autonomously within the limits of professional competence, agreed clinical pathways, protocols and Trust policies, recognising limitations and seeking advice or escalating complex, unusual or deteriorating patients to the Lead Colorectal CNS or appropriate medical practitioner.
- Provide specialist nursing advice, emotional support, and psychological reassurance to patients, their loved ones, and colleagues across the multidisciplinary team.
- Coordinate agreed elements of patients’ investigation and treatment pathways, maintaining oversight of their progress and facilitating effective communication between clinical teams and services.
- Knowledge of colorectal surgery is highly desirable - support, training and mentorship within the team as well as externally will be provided.
- Use your extensive acute clinical experience and interest in colorectal care to contribute to nurse‑led clinics, with opportunities to expand your scope of practice as you grow in the role.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
- • Registered Nurse with current NMC registration.
- • First level degree in related subject or undertaking a Degree Pathway or the equivalent demonstrable experience.
Desirable
- • Post-basic qualification in cancer/palliative care or equivalent relevant subject or demonstrable experience/working towards
- • Advanced Communications Skills Training or prepared to work towards
- • Evidence of Master’s level learning or prepared to work towards
Aptitudes & abilities
Essential
- • Proven ability to support and influence change
- • IT literate
- • Teaching/assessment and presentation skills
- • Organisation and negotiation skills
- • Exemplar written communication skills
Desirable
- • Leadership and motivational skills
Knowledge & experience
Essential
- • Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to the role.
- • Proven knowledge in relevant speciality
- • Demonstrable experience of teaching
Desirable
- • Experience of audit and research leadership and management experience
- Demonstrable colorectal experience.
Disposition, attitude and motivation
Essential
- • Proven ability to motivate self and others
- • Proven ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
- • Flexible attitude to working.
- • Organisation and negotiation skills
Desirable
- Leadership and motivational skills
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Colorectal CNS with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust in Plymouth, South West, England. It is listed as a Clinical nurse specialist role. The advertised salary is £39959.00 to £48117.00. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 13 Aug 2026.
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