Job summary
Straight to test Colorectal Cancer and Non-Specific Symptom CNSCancer ServicesBand 7 £49,387 - £56,515 per annumHours: 37.50 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

This opportunity is within Open Access Diagnostic Colorectal and Non-Specific Symptoms Services working alongside the Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Colorectal Cancer. This supports the development of rapid diagnostic pathways for cancer referrals and achievement of the 28-day referral-to-diagnosis target.

An experienced nurse is required with strong clinical skills, ability to work both independently and within a multidisciplinary team. Experience in colorectal care, surgery or endoscopy is desirable. Duties include triaging referrals, undertaking face-to-face clinics, supporting timely diagnosis and responding to changing service priorities.

Development opportunity maybe available for an experienced Band 6 nurse. You will contribute to high standards of patient care providing direct clinical support and helping to educate and develop the wider teams.

The service is part of a modern, expanding cancer care environment offering excellent training and development opportunities. Recent investment includes a new onsite Cancer Centre and the Oxford University Hospitals Radiotherapy Centre, opened in 2024. The team is supported by proactive management, Nurse Practitioners, the Palliative Care Team, and the Macmillan Information and Support Centre.

Interview date 6 August 2026.

Main duties of the job
This team always knows what their work responsibilities are, scoring 93%. ''NHS Survey, 2024''

'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'

To assist and support the development of Nurse led Straight to Test (STT) and Non-Specific Symptom (NSS) triage, diagnostic referrals, diagnostic results and patient information.To assist and support the development of open access diagnostic colorectal service and 28day cancer target.To be an effective core member of the site-specific MDT with responsibilities reflected in the relevant NICE Improving Outcomes Guidance and National Cancer Quality Measures.

About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.

Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

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For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes

Job responsibilities
Nurse Patient Relationship
Demonstrate advanced communication skills in all contexts with patients, their families and carers, senior medical and nursing staff.

Works with patients, their families and carers as partners in their care.

Management Of Patient Health / Illness Status
Demonstrates a high level of clinical knowledge and expertise in colorectal nursing.

Undertakes assessment and treatment of patients with suspected cancer.To assess patients suitability for investigation/procedures via nurse led triage.To review past medical history, blood results and x-ray/scan results.To review histology and scan reports for patients and advise on further management.

Education
Identify the ongoing training and educational needs of patients, their carers and their families in relation to the prevention, treatment and management of cancer.

To provide guidance and advice to promote health, reduce risk factions and prevent disease disability

Professional Role
To work with the Lead Advanced Clinical Practitioner to analyse and interpret national recommendations, i.e., NSF/NICE guidance and formulate action plans to achieve compliance from a nursing perspective.

To work with the Lead Advanced Clinical Practitioner to review public health data / information in evaluating patients needs, pattern of disease and effectiveness of interventions / programme of care.

Operational
Demonstrates clinical skills and knowledge in the assessment, planning and development of the Cancer service and understanding of cancer targets and tracking the patients pathway.

Assist the Lead Advanced Clinical Practitioner in business and management strategies for the provision of quality care in colorectal/non-specific symptoms cancer and the efficient use of resources.

Personal Development
To maintain own personal and professional growth through participating in annual review, with their appraiser identifying their development needs and implementing a personal development plan.

Demonstrate evidence-based care.

Please refer to the attached job description for further information

Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential

• Registered General Nurse
• Degree or Diploma
• ENB 998 or similar teaching qualification
• Advanced communication skills training

Desirable

• Colorectal / cancer module
• Master's degree or equivalent experience/training
• Independent nurse prescriber or working towards

Experience
Essential

• Relevant experience at band 6 in Colorectal/cancer care
• Experience of leading and developing clinical practice

Skills
Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent management skills of self and others
• Have a good insight into self and others and vice versa
• Ability to facilitate the management of change
• Ability to delegate appropriately
• Computer skills

Personal and people development
Essential

• Ability to be flexible, to have flair and initiative and be able to work in a team
• Motivated / positive - self-directed and committed
• Professional image
• Meets essential qualification & experience
• Ability to organize, priorities and coordinate work

Communication
Essential

• Excellent communication skills with colleagues and people at all levels
• Flexible approach to work
• Good listener
• Team player
• Ability to manage stressful situations, raise clinical issues and work independently to ensure the patients' needs are being met
• Ability to manage and motivate self and others

Specific requirements
Desirable

• Car driver

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.