Non-Specific Symptoms Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join our expanding Non-Specific Symptoms (NSS) / Rapid Diagnostic Service as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, working alongside our existing CNS to support the continued development and delivery of this important cancer pathway. The service provides a timely diagnostic pathway for patients presenting with concerning non-specific symptoms where cancer may be suspected but there is no clear tumour-specific referral route. As the service continues to grow, the successful candidate will play a key role in coordinating patients through investigation and diagnosis, providing expert clinical assessment, information and support and ensuring appropriate onward referral. Working collaboratively with medical colleagues, diagnostic services, cancer teams and primary care, you will support effective pathway management and provide continuity for patients during what can be a period of significant uncertainty. This is an opportunity to join an established but developing service, with scope to influence how the pathway evolves as activity increases. We are looking for an experienced nurse with strong clinical assessment, communication and coordination skills, a commitment to high-quality cancer care and an interest in service development and earlier cancer diagnosis.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an experienced and motivated nurse with strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills, excellent communication and the ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team.

The successful candidate will need to be highly organised and able to coordinate complex diagnostic pathways, prioritise competing demands and maintain oversight of patients throughout investigation and diagnosis. Advanced communication skills are essential, including the ability to support patients experiencing uncertainty and anxiety and to communicate sensitively when discussing potentially difficult outcomes.

You will be confident working across professional and organisational boundaries, developing effective relationships with primary care, diagnostic services, medical teams and tumour-specific cancer services.

We are particularly looking for someone who is proactive, adaptable and committed to improving patient experience and earlier cancer diagnosis. An interest in service development, quality improvement and helping to shape an expanding service will be important.

Experience within cancer care is desirable, but we would particularly welcome applicants with strong transferable skills in clinical assessment, complex care coordination and autonomous practice.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The job description gives an overview of the main tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specifications focuses on the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. These documents are attached on the page and can be downloaded.

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.