Macmillan H&N Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

The Macmillan Head and Neck Cancer Nurse (Band 6) will work as part of the multidisciplinary team to support the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care for individuals diagnosed with Head and Neck cancer. The post holder will provide specialist nursing support, information and guidance to patients and their families from diagnosis, throughout treatment and into follow-up and survivorship.

Working closely with the Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist and the wider multidisciplinary team, the post holder will support coordination of the patient pathway, helping to ensure patients receive timely, holistic care that addresses their physical, psychological and supportive care needs. The role will involve undertaking Holistic Needs Assessments, contributing to personalised care planning, supporting nurse-led clinics, and assisting patients to access appropriate services and support.

The post holder will act as a key contact for patients, carers and healthcare professionals, facilitating effective communication across primary, secondary and tertiary services. They will also contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives, and the delivery of education and support for patients living with and beyond cancer.

The role will involve working across both Kettering and Northampton sites to support a consistent and integrated Head and Neck cancer service.

Main duties of the job

The Macmillan Head and Neck Cancer Nurse will support the delivery of specialist nursing care to patients diagnosed with Head and Neck cancer throughout their cancer pathway. Working as part of the multidisciplinary team, the post holder will provide clinical support, information and guidance to patients and their families from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up, ensuring care is coordinated and responsive to individual needs.

The role will involve undertaking Holistic Needs Assessments, contributing to personalised care planning, and supporting patients to access appropriate services to address their physical, psychological and social wellbeing. The post holder will assist in the coordination of patient pathways, attend multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, and contribute to discussions regarding patient care and treatment planning.

The post holder will support nurse-led clinics, provide education and advice to patients and carers, and assist in the management of treatment-related side effects and ongoing consequences of cancer and its treatment. They will work closely with acute, community and tertiary services to ensure continuity of care and timely support for patients.

In addition, the post holder will contribute to service development, audit and quality improvement activities, supporting the ongoing delivery of a safe, effective and patient-centred Head and Neck cancer nursing service across Kettering and Northampton sites.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties of the Job

• Provide specialist nursing support to patients diagnosed with Head and Neck cancer, offering information, advice and clinical support throughout the patient pathway from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up.
• Undertake Holistic Needs Assessments (HNA) at key points in the patient pathway and contribute to the development and review of personalised care plans to address patients’ physical, emotional, social and practical needs.
• Act as a key contact for patients and their families, providing timely advice and support and signposting to appropriate services where required.
• Work collaboratively with the Head and Neck multidisciplinary team (MDT), attending MDT meetings and contributing nursing perspectives to patient discussions, treatment planning and care coordination.
• Support the coordination of patient pathways across primary, secondary and tertiary care, ensuring effective communication between healthcare professionals and services involved in patient care.
• Support nurse-led clinics, including follow-up and survivorship clinics, undertaking patient assessments, providing education and monitoring treatment-related side effects.
• Provide specialist advice to patients experiencing acute or long-term side effects of cancer treatment, supporting symptom management and facilitating appropriate referrals where necessary.
• Review patients in inpatient and outpatient settings where required, providing specialist nursing input and supporting ward teams with advice regarding Head and Neck cancer care.
• Assist with the assessment and management of patients presenting with cancer-related complications or treatment toxicities, including those attending emergency or urgent care settings, ensuring appropriate escalation and coordination of care.
• Provide psychological support to patients and carers, recognising distress and referring patients to specialist services such as psychological support or palliative care teams when appropriate.
• Promote patient education and self-management by providing advice on managing the physical and psychosocial consequences of cancer and its treatment.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient care within electronic patient records and relevant cancer information systems (e.g. Somerset Cancer Register).
• Support the collection of activity and outcome data to contribute to service evaluation, audit and quality improvement initiatives within the Head and Neck cancer service.
• Participate in health and wellbeing events and survivorship initiatives to support patients living with and beyond cancer.
• Maintain awareness of current evidence, guidelines and best practice in Head and Neck cancer care, contributing to the delivery of safe and effective clinical care.
• Work across both Kettering and Northampton sites to support an integrated and consistent Head and Neck cancer nursing service.