Closing date: 28 July 2026

Job Summary
This post is for staff Employed by the Trust only
We are pleased to advertise the opportunity for a Clinical Nurse Manager Acute Oncology within South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. The Clinical Nurse Manager for Acute Oncology plays a pivotal role in leading and managing the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred acute oncology care across the Trust. The post holder is responsible for the operational and clinical leadership of the Acute Oncology Service, ensuring timely access to specialist assessment and intervention for patients presenting with oncological emergencies and complications of systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT). Working across both Trust sites, the Clinical Nurse Manager provides senior clinical oversight, supporting effective triage, escalation and coordination of care, while driving improvements that reduce avoidable admissions, length of stay and unnecessary Emergency Department attendances. The role combines strong managerial accountability with expert clinical leadership, overseeing workforce planning, recruitment, performance management and professional development of the Acute Oncology nursing team.

Main duties of the job
Central to the role is responsibility for clinical governance, quality assurance and patient safety, ensuring that evidence-based practice is embedded across all Acute Oncology pathways. The post holder will lead service development, audit and improvement activity, including the development of new models of care such as Acute Oncology SDEC. The Clinical Nurse Manager will work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams, community and primary care partners, and tertiary services, ensuring coordinated, high-quality care across the patient pathway. Acting as a visible and credible leader, the post holder will champion best practice, support education and innovation, and ensure Acute Oncology services meet national and local standards while delivering compassionate, responsive and effective care.

About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job responsibilities

• Leadership, management and development of the Acute Oncology nursing team including workforce planning, deployment, supervision and performance management
• Planning, coordination and delivery of Acute Oncology services across the Trust
• Leading and supporting service development and transformation within Acute Oncology
• Ensuring services are delivered in line with evidence-based practice, national standards and effective use of resources
• Embedding patient safety and quality at the centre of service delivery
• Leading continuous improvement in clinical care standards through robust clinical governance arrangements
• Supporting the development and implementation of Acute Oncology models of care, including AOS SDEC and specialist clinics, subject to service need and capacity
• Ensuring national and local performance standards and targets are met

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Significant senior nursing experience in oncology, haematology, acute medicine, or urgent cancer pathways
• Demonstrated leadership of specialist or advanced practice teams
• Experience in managing highly complex or distressing patient situations (e.g., oncological emergencies)
• Experience developing, implementing and evaluating clinical pathways or service improvement projects.
• Experience in governance: audits, incident reviews, quality improvement, risk assessment
• Experience designing and delivering education/training programmes across multi professional teams
• Experience influencing service delivery at organisational or regional level

Desirable

• Previous experience working within an Acute Oncology Service.
• Experience contributing to regional or national cancer networks/projects.
• Experience leading CUP pathways, SACT safety developments, or emergency cancer care initiatives

Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse with current, live NMC registration
• Degree in Nursing or a relevant health-related subject (or UK recognised equivalent)
• Masters-level study, or equivalent specialist study and/or relevant professional experience.
• Willingness to work towards completion of a Masters qualification (if not already achieved)
• Evidence of substantial specialist education and continuous professional development (CPD) in oncology, acute cancer care, or SACT toxicity management
• Leadership and management training appropriate to senior clinical practice
• Mentorship qualification, Practice Assessor training, or demonstrable equivalent experience

Desirable

• Masters degree in a relevant clinical/leadership field
• Non Medical Prescribing (V300.)
• Advanced Clinical Assessment module or equivalent.
• Evidence of research, publication, or conference presentations

Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• Advanced clinical knowledge of acute oncology presentations, including neutropenic sepsis, MSCC, TLS, SVCO, irAEs and other oncological emergencies
• Expert understanding of SACT toxicity management and national AOS standards.
• Able to independently assess, evaluate and make complex clinical decisions in unstable scenarios.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills across multiple professional groups.
• Ability to analyse data, benchmark services, and use information for quality improvement.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to motivate, inspire and empower others.
• Knowledge of governance, cancer quality frameworks, audit methodology and service evaluation.
• Ability to prioritise a complex caseload and manage competing operational demands

Desirable

• Knowledge of national cancer performance standards (e.g. 62 day pathways, CUP guidelines)
• Experience developing education frameworks for acute cancer care
• Research skills, including ability to critically appraise literature and implement findings

Physical Skills
Essential

• Competent in advanced patient assessment
• Able to move between clinical areas rapidly to respond to emergency referrals
• Standard keyboard/IT skills
• Able to participate in occasional moderate physical effort during assessments

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).