West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Nurse Specialist - Macmillan Unit
The closing date is 20 November 2026
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Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity in the Macmillan Unit at the West Suffolk Hospital within the Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Team.

We are seeking a Registered Nurse with experience and knowledge of working with, and treating, oncology patients. The postholder will have the passion to ensure patients receive the best care and support possible.

The advertised role would primarily be supporting the Breast Oncology CNS and breast cancer patients but you would also be expected to offer support for other tumour sites as required.

The closing date for this vacancy may change if we receive a strong response. Please ensure that you apply for any post you are interested in as soon as possible.

Main duties of the job
You would be expected to support patients through the entire oncology process, including curative and palliative pathways. You will see patients face to face and will be supporting them through their clinic experiences, working closely with the Oncology Consultants and being available to offer advise and support over the telephone.

You would be an essential point of contact for the patients and their family/carers, offering support and advise, acting as a patient advocate, signposting to appropriate services and offering education to patients, their families/carers and staff.

About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Details
Date posted: 06 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year, Per Annum, Pro Rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 179-8394703-M
Job locations: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
To act as a supportive key worker and clinical team member, guiding patients through their breast cancer pathway under the supervision of senior nurses and the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT).

Key Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Key Worker Support: Act as a point of contact and supportive guide for patients and their families from diagnosis through treatment milestones.
• Holistic Assessments: Assist in carrying out physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs assessments (HNA) using evidence-based practice.
• Clinic & Care Coordination: Support nurse-led clinics, assist with patient triage, help coordinate appointments for diagnostics, surgery, or SACT (Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy), and maintain accurate electronic/written records.
• Information & Signposting: Provide clear, empathetic information regarding treatment options and side effects, and signpost patients to charitable, psychological, or community support services.
• MDT Collaboration: Attend and participate in local team meetings when lead Breast CNS is not able to attend, relaying patient concerns to senior CNS staff, consultants, and palliative care teams.

Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential:

• 1st level NMC Registered Nurse
• Experience of working within a cancer setting or with cancer patients
• Evidence of educational development ideal within a cancer setting or site.

Desirable:

• ENB 998/equivalent
• ENB 237/A27 or Educated to degree level, or working towards
• Advanced communication skills qualification/course

Experience and knowledge
Essential:

• Post registration experience
• Experience within acute Oncology/Haematology
• Knowledge of change management process
• Ability to develop nursing excellence and clinical practice
• Initiation & evaluation of research-based practice

Desirable:

• Awareness of cancer policy and politics
• Managerial responsibility
• Standard setting & protocol development
• Clinical audit

Skills and abilities
Essential:

• Ability to record & deal with accurate facts, figures and information.
• Evidence of professional development & its relevant application
• Excellent written & verbal communication & presentation skills
• Ability to problem solve
• Ability to plan, organise, prioritise & coordinate work under pressure & using own initiative.
• Leadership skills
• Ability to establish effective working partnerships with members of the multi-professional team
• Ability to communicate effectively with key stakeholders within & outside the Trust

Desirable:

• Experience of developing, training & education in clinical practice
• Venepuncture & cannulation skills
• Intravenous drug administration skills
• Cytotoxic drug administration skills
• Ability to use complex medical/clinical equipment

Personal qualities
Essential:

• Ability to remain calm & work effectively in stressful situations
• Ability to act independently and delegate appropriately
• Willingness to learn new skills
• Demonstrate commitment to quality service provision

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.

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.

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

Employer details
Employer name: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.wsh.nhs.uk

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Oncology CNS team lead Katie Worby katie.worby@wsh.nhs.uk 01284713212

Supporting documents
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