Uro-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

The Uro-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is a key member of the Urology Multidisciplinary Cancer Team, providing specialist nursing care, support and coordination for patients diagnosed with urological cancers. Working across the cancer pathway, the post holder will act as a key worker, delivering personalised care from diagnosis through treatment, follow-up and survivorship.

The post holder will manage a defined caseload, undertake specialist assessments, provide nurse-led consultations, coordinate complex patient pathways and ensure timely access to investigations, treatment and supportive care services. Working collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team, they will contribute to improving patient outcomes, service development, quality improvement, education and research

Main duties of the job

• Provide specialist nursing care, advice and support to patients with urological cancer and their families throughout the cancer pathway.
• Coordinate and manage a defined caseload, acting as a key worker to ensure continuity and excellence of care.
• Undertake nurse-led clinics using face-to-face, telephone and virtual consultation methods.
• Assess, monitor and manage the physical, psychological and supportive care needs of patients receiving cancer treatment and follow-up care.
• Work collaboratively with consultants, specialist nurses, allied health professionals, primary care and community teams to ensure seamless patient care.
• Support multidisciplinary team (MDT) working and contribute to timely cancer pathway management.
• Facilitate referrals to specialist and supportive care services as required.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and utilise electronic patient systems effectively.
• Contribute to service development, audit, quality improvement, education and research activities.
• Support the delivery of personalised care, living with and beyond cancer initiatives, and remote monitoring programmes.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• Deliver specialist assessment, care planning, treatment support and follow-up for patients with urological cancers.
• Provide expert advice on diagnosis, treatment options, symptom management, surveillance and supportive care.
• Monitor patients throughout treatment pathways and identify those requiring urgent review or escalation.
• Support patients to make informed decisions regarding their care and treatment options.
• Support patients living with and beyond cancer through education, self-management and survivorship initiatives.

Care Coordination and Pathway Management

• Manage and prioritise an autonomous clinical caseload.
• Coordinate investigations, appointments, treatment pathways and follow-up arrangements.
• Ensure timely referrals to diagnostic, treatment and supportive care services.
• Act as a key worker and patient advocate throughout the cancer pathway.
• Facilitate smooth transitions between inpatient, outpatient, community and primary care services.

Communication and Patient Support

• Communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, relatives and healthcare professionals.
• Provide telephone, virtual and face-to-face consultations.
• Develop therapeutic relationships with patients experiencing distress, uncertainty or anxiety.
• Liaise effectively with members of the multidisciplinary team and external healthcare providers.
• Facilitate access to psychological support, palliative care, rehabilitation and voluntary sector services where appropriate.

Professional Practice

• Maintain specialist knowledge of urological cancer management and evidence-based practice.
• Work within the NMC Code, national cancer guidance, Trust policies and professional standards.
• Participate in continuing professional development and specialist cancer education.
• Maintain professional accountability and practise within recognised levels of competence.

Service Improvement and Quality

• Participate in audit, service evaluation and quality improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to the development and review of clinical guidelines, pathways and standard operating procedures.
• Support implementation of national cancer strategies and local service developments.
• Contribute to the collection and reporting of service performance and activity data.

Education, Leadership and Research

• Provide education and support to staff, students and colleagues.
• Share specialist knowledge across the multidisciplinary team.
• Participate in clinical supervision, appraisal and personal development processes.
• Contribute to research activity and implementation of evidence-based practice.

Information Management

• Maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive patient records.
• Utilise electronic patient records, cancer databases and clinical information systems effectively.
• Ensure compliance with information governance, confidentiality and data protection requirements.

Professional Autonomy

• Work independently within agreed professional boundaries.
• Make clinical decisions based on assessment findings, specialist knowledge and evidence-based practice.
• Escalate clinical concerns appropriately and seek senior support when required.
• Prioritise workload effectively in response to changing service and patient demands.

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.