Job summaryApplications for this vacancy are restricted to current Trust employees only.
The successful candidate will have experience in the management of Head and Neck Skin cancer. They will act as Keyworker for patients diagnosed with a Head and Neck Skin malignancy and will be a core member of the Multi disciplinary Team, providing a link between patients and health care professionals across primary, secondary, and tertiary care.
Providing a holistic, patient focused service delivering evidence based information and advice to patients with Head and Neck skin cancer, supporting them and their families throughout pre diagnosis, diagnosis, treatment and follow up care.
Contribute to continual development, implementation and evaluation of the Head and Neck skin cancer service to improve and maintain standards of patient care and promote a seamless service within a multi professional framework.
Main duties of the jobClinical PracticeThe Clinical Nurse Specialist will demonstrate a high degree of personal and professional autonomy and accountability by delivering specialised and person centre holistic care.
This will be delivered through advice, counselling, education and interventions to service users, their families, carers and health care professionals.
EducationAct as a role model, educator, supervisor and mentor seeking to instil and develop confidence in others.
Participate in supervision and keep up to date with professional development.
Leadership and ManagementLead new practice and service redesign solutions in response to feedback, evaluation and need.
Demonstrate team leadership, resilience, and determination.
Provide professional and clinical advice to colleagues regarding practice and service development.
Research and AuditUtilise audit to actively engage, instigate and evaluate service provision.
Work collaboratively within the multi disciplinary team and service users to identify variances in service provision and to plan and implement service improvement.
About usPlease 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.
DetailsDate posted: 12 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: C9155-GSNM-0826-03
Job locations: Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Road, SUNDERLAND, SR4 7TP, United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesPLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.
The Skin Cancer Nurse Specialist (CNS) will work within the existing CNS team for Head and Neck Cancer, leading the management and care delivery for patients diagnosed with Skin Cancer throughout their cancer pathway. They will provide comprehensive nursing support to patients and their carers with a diagnosis of Skin Cancer in line with the broad aims of the NHS Cancer Plan, Cancer Reform Strategy and Improving Outcomes Guidance for the management of patients with Skin Cancers
As a CNS within the Head and Neck Skin Cancer services, the post-holder will:
- Provide clinical expert knowledge to patients with skin cancer.
- Support patients with newly diagnosed skin cancer.
- Contribute to the ongoing development and delivery of nurse led services for patients.
- Demonstrate leadership in contributing to a culture of patient safety and continuous improvement in line with the clinical governance framework.
- Be accountable for the assessment, planning and delivery of all aspects of patient care across the pathway.
- Provide effective supportive care to assist patients living with skin cancer, ensuring that care is personalised and the holistic needs of patients are met.
- Reduce length of hospital stay and unnecessary hospital admissions.
- To enable patients to spend a greater proportion of their limited time within their own homes.
- To ensure all investigations are appropriate therefore reducing unnecessary procedures that offer limited value to patient outcome.
- To support the existing head and neck cancer CNS team to deliver support to every newly diagnosed skin cancer patient.
- To provide inpatient and outpatient support to skin cancer patients.
- To deliver a flexible approach which meets the requirements of the service
- Provide direct access for patients, inpatients or within the community, either face to face or telephone consultation.
- Provide education and training and clinical advice and support to Trust staff, patients and relatives/carers.
- Participate in research relevant to the needs of specialist area.
- Participate in service development within head and neck cancer services across the Trust.
- Contribute to the achievement of national and local standards/targets.
- To comply with the trusts vision, values and behavioural compact.
Person SpecificationPhysical SkillsEssential- Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy.
- Able to travel access sites.
QualificationsEssential- Current NMC Registration (Level 1 adult nurse).
- Degree in nursing studies or healthcare related subject (UK equivalent).
- Mentorship qualification/equivalent and or Practice Assessor training or demonstrable equivalent experience.
- Clinical skills accreditation.
- Non-medical prescribing.
Desirable- Qualification in specialty.
- Masters level education in related subject.
Skills and KnowledgeEssential- Clinical experience within Head and Neck Cancer services.
- Experience of leading within a team.
- Evidence of innovation in practice.
- Recent experience of having facilitated learning in practice.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Awareness of national health and social care policy.
- Knowledge of best practice in area of specialism.
- Thorough understanding of expanded roles/professional practice issues.
- Clinical teaching experience.
- Ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive or contentious information, where persuasive, motivational, negotiating, training, empathic or reassurance skills are required.
- Able to work without supervision.
- Competent in the use of IT packages.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Proven interpersonal skills.
- Evidence of competency in relation to nursing practice appropriate to the post.
Desirable- Experience of working with skin cancer patients.
ExperienceEssential- Clinical experience within Head and Neck Cancer services.
- Clinical experience within skin cancer services.
- Experience of leading within a team.
- Evidence of innovation in practice.
- Recent experience of having facilitated learning in practice.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
Desirable- Research skills.
- Minimum 2 years clinical experience within head and neck.
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer detailsEmployer name: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Road, SUNDERLAND, SR4 7TP, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact: Head and Neck Matron, Carolynne Hardy, carolynnehardy@nhs.net
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