Job summary
The Macmillan Head and Neck Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) provides expert, patient-centred care for individuals diagnosed with Head and Neck and Thyroid cancers throughout the cancer pathway. Acting as the Key Worker, the post holder delivers clinical, psychological and supportive care from diagnosis through treatment, recovery, survivorship and, where appropriate, end of life care. The CNS coordinates personalised cancer care interventions in line with NHS England priorities and national cancer standards.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job

• To work autonomously within their sphere of competence, undertaking specialist assessment, care planning, implementation and evaluation, ensuring care is safe, effective and evidence-based.
• To collaborate with all members of the multidisciplinary team, providing specialist advice and support across professional and organisational boundaries, and coordinating patient pathways to ensure seamless care throughout the patient journey.
• To undertake nurse-led clinics and specialist services, ensuring excellent standards of care through the planning, coordination, delivery and evaluation of clinical activity.
• To contribute to the delivery of personalised cancer care, including holistic needs assessments, personalised care and support planning, treatment summaries and supported self-management interventions.
• To support the development and continuous improvement of the Head and Neck Cancer Service through participation in audit, education, research, quality improvement and service development activities, ensuring care aligns with national guidance, cancer standards and Trust objectives.

About us
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Job responsibilities

• Act as Key Worker for patients with Head and Neck and Thyroid cancers throughout the cancer pathway.
• Provide specialist nursing assessment, advice and support to patients, carers and families.
• Develop, implement and evaluate individualised care plans.
• Undertake Holistic Needs Assessments and develop Personalised Care and Support Plans.
• Deliver treatment summaries and support patients transitioning to follow-up and survivorship care.
• Assess, monitor and manage treatment-related toxicities and complications.
• Provide specialist support to patients with tracheostomies, laryngectomies, swallowing difficulties and nutritional concerns.
• Participate in nurse-led follow-up and surveillance clinics.
• Support patients with complex symptom management and psychological needs.
• Facilitate referrals to allied health professionals, community services and support organisations as appropriate.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse (Level 1).
• Current NMC Registration.
• Degree in Nursing or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Teaching/assessing qualification or willingness to undertake.

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in cancer care or equivalent experience.
• Advanced Communication Skills Training.
• Leadership qualification.
• Non-Medical Prescribing qualification.
• Master's level study.
• Advance assessment skill qualification or willingness to undertake.

Experience
Essential

• Experience in Head and Neck, Cancer or a related speciality.
• Experience working within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience managing patients with complex care needs.
• Experience providing patient education and support.
• Experience undertaking clinical assessment and care planning.

Desirable

• Previous CNS experience.
• Tracheostomy and laryngectomy management experience.
• Experience of quality improvement or service development.
• Experience of nurse-led clinics.

Knowledge
Essential

• Head and Neck and Thyroid cancer pathways.
• Principles of personalised cancer care.
• Current cancer policies and national standards.
• Clinical governance and risk management.
• Evidence-based practice.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Cancer Waiting Time standards.
• Knowledge of national cancer audits and peer review processes.
• Understanding of Cancer Alliance priorities.

Skills
Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Effective organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage complex and sensitive situations.
• IT literacy and experience using electronic patient records.

Desirable

• Presentation and teaching skills.
• Project or quality improvement experience.

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's values. (As detailed in UHCW's Values in Action document below)
• Applicants applying for job roles with managerial responsibility will be required to demonstrate evidence of promoting equal opportunities through work experience

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

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 (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).

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

Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Address
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire
Clifford Bridge Road
Coventry
CV2 2DX
United Kingdom

Employer's website
https://www.jobsatuhcw.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Macmillan Lead Head and Neck CNS
Paul Worrall
paul.worrall@uhcw.nhs.uk
02476966452

Details
Date posted
01 September 2026

Pay scheme
Agenda for change

Band
Band 6

Salary
£39,959 to £48,117 a year
per annum

Contract
Permanent

Working pattern
Part-time

Reference number
218-NM-B6-8235984

Job locations
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire
Clifford Bridge Road
Coventry
CV2 2DX
United Kingdom

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)