Job summary
The Children's Oncology Lead Nurse will provide nursing expertise within the Children's Oncology Service.

Support and help coordinate the provision of the Children's Oncology Outpatient Clinic.

Support and coordinate the Children's Oncology care in the Community.

Be a visible presence for all patients on the inpatient ward(s) and any other departments within the Trust who need the specialist advice.

Provide effective input into the work of the Trust, to support the achievement of our vision and values.

Main duties of the job

• The Children's Oncology Lead Nurse will deliver a safe, effective, high-quality service aligned with Trust strategy.
• They will assess the needs of children, young people and families, ensuring their views inform care.
• They will provide clinical leadership, act as a role model, address concerns and promote evidence-based practice.
• They must maintain competence in chemotherapy, intrathecal chemotherapy, cannulation and venepuncture, ensuring staff training and competency assessments meet Trust and Peer Review standards.
• Responsibilities include staff development, education, clinical supervision, appraisals and access to current policies.
• They will manage clinical risks, oversee incident reporting and investigations, analyse Datix data, implement action plans and share learning.
• They will lead audits, develop guidelines and operational policies, and contribute to annual reports, Macmillan reviews and national cancer standards.
• Working with the Ward Manager, Matron, medical teams, Primary Treatment Centre and East Midlands Cancer Network, they will optimise staffing, resources, admissions and transfers.
• They will support ethical research, implement best practice, maintain accurate data, represent the Trust regionally and understand commissioning arrangements, promoting continuous improvement and excellent patient experience.

About us
Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.

We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.

Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

Essential qualifications

• NMC Registered Nurse
• RSCN/RN Child
• 20 Credits at 1st Degree Level in Paediatric Oncology including one module or more in chemotherapy administration.
• Nurse should be currently administering chemotherapy with a minimum of 2 years' experience
• Mentorship/Assessor and Supervisor qualification
• Educated to Masters level (level 7 or above) or willing to work towards

Desirable qualifications

• Leadership Management Qualification
• Certificate in Advanced Communication

Essential knowledge and experience

• Knowledge and experience of working in Paediatric Oncology with a minimum of 2 years' experience
• Knowledge of local and national strategies and policies e.g. NHS Service Standard for Cancer
• Knowledge of Governance structure and data analysis
• Evidence of ongoing development through continuing professional development
• Ability to lead, manage, support and motivate both medical and nursing staff

Desirable knowledge and experience

• Involvement in Audit and Research

Essential skills and abilities

• Car Driver
• Proficient in: accessing CVAD and PICC lines, chemotherapy checking and administration, checking Intrathecal medications, venepuncture and cannulation, pain management, palliative and end of life care, symptom management
• Computer literate across a range of IT programmes
• Physically able
• Good communication skills for patient care, attending POSCU MDT meetings and involvement in MDT treatment planning
• Evidence of ability to teach and assess staff of all levels
• Experience of writing policies and guidelines
• Sound leadership skills and the ability to be led
• Ability to problem solve
• Effective time management to meet deadlines
• Presentation and teaching skills
• Emotionally able to manage difficult, challenging and emotional situations for self, colleagues and families

Desirable skills and abilities

• Knowledge of Chemo care
• Nurse prescribing

Essential personal qualities

• Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
• Organisational Skills
• Ability to work flexibly
• Change management skills
• Working to the NMC Code of Conduct
• Evidence of Continuing Practice Development
• Approachable and professional manner towards colleagues, patients and families
• Professional Leadership and to act as a role model
• Ensure the provision of high quality, effective and safe clinical service in line with the Trust Nursing and Midwifery Strategy.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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.

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

Employer
Northampton General Hospital
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire, Northampton, NN1 5BD, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx

Contact for questions about the job
Matron for Disney, Gosset and Transitional Care, Michelle Hardwick, michelle.hardwick@nhs.net

Closing date: 27 October 2026

Privacy notice: Northampton General Hospital's privacy notice applies.