• Job Description

  Req#: C9439-2526-0073?language=en&page=1047&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and enthusiastic nurse to join the Breast Cancer specialist nursing team. You will be based predominately at Darlington Memorial Hospital, but the role will involve some trustwide working.

  You will receive excellent training, development and support, and will provide specialist nursing and clinical support for the specialty.

  You will ideally have a background in oncology or breast surgery, and you will require excellent interpersonal and communication skills. You will be involved in the delivery of specialist breast cancer nursing care while working in collaboration with the Breast Surgery Consultants, Oncologists and other members of the multi-professional team.

  Please contact Heather Thexton, Macmillan Cancer Educator on 07385 397419, or at heather.thexton@nhs.net for further information.

  Main duties of the job

  The post holder will work as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) delivering an expert, specialist service to patients diagnosed with breast cancer. The role includes developing, implementing and evaluating a seamless specialist service, ensuring that patients with cancer receive the highest standard of clinical care and have access to the full resources of the multidisciplinary team whilst receiving all aspects of treatment. This will be achieved through clinical practice, management of patient caseload, education, research, audit and professional activities relating to breast cancer care.

  The post-holder will be expected to attend and actively participate in the breast MDT, and will have a close working relationship with the wider multidisciplinary team. This post will involve supporting the existing Breast Cancer CNS team.

  They will promote safe, competent and evidence based practice, in line with national objectives and within the clinical governance framework

  About us

  If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

  You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

  We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

  We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

  Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

  Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success

  For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

  From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months)

  Details

  Date posted

  06 May 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 6

  Salary

  £37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum, pro rata

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time

  Reference number

  C9439-2526-0073

  Job locations

  Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

  Hollyhurst Road

  Darlington

  County Durham

  DL3 6HX

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  In CDDFT the role of a Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is defined as a qualified nurse whose primary purpose is to provide guidance, support and treatment based on an advanced level of knowledge to patients, carers and health professionals concerning a specific disease/condition.

  The Macmillan Band 6 Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) will:

  Support the existing Breast CNS team to deliver excellent patient care

  Work autonomously with minimal supervision within the team

  Be responsible for the care delivered, demonstrating critical thinking and skills in clinical decision-making in the management of patients within the specialist area

  Provide a continuing supportive service inclusive of information and advice within acute, primary and community settings to patients, their carers and the staff who support them on all aspects of the cancer specialty disease and treatments

  Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team to meet the needs of patients, support the delivery of policy and procedures, and provide nurse leadership as required

  Ensure that each person receives a high standard of personalised care

  Act as key worker for own caseload.

  Support and implement service improvement activity

  You will have the following skills:

  Registered nurse educated to first degree level

  Significant post registration experience, preferably within the specialty

  Able to work autonomously with minimal supervision

  Evidence of continuing professional development

  Enhanced interpersonal and communication skills including self-awareness and emotional intelligence

  Evidence of a mentorship and/or teaching qualification

  Comply with the regulations governing their specialty, particularly the NMC Code of Professional Standards of Practice and Behaviour

  Effective organisation and time management skills including the ability to work to deadlines, make clinical decisions and able to manage multiple projects

  You will work as part of the wider Breast Cancer team to support the delivery of safe, compassionate and joined-up care.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  In CDDFT the role of a Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is defined as a qualified nurse whose primary purpose is to provide guidance, support and treatment based on an advanced level of knowledge to patients, carers and health professionals concerning a specific disease/condition.

  The Macmillan Band 6 Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) will:

  Support the existing Breast CNS team to deliver excellent patient care

  Work autonomously with minimal supervision within the team

  Be responsible for the care delivered, demonstrating critical thinking and skills in clinical decision-making in the management of patients within the specialist area

  Provide a continuing supportive service inclusive of information and advice within acute, primary and community settings to patients, their carers and the staff who support them on all aspects of the cancer specialty disease and treatments

  Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team to meet the needs of patients, support the delivery of policy and procedures, and provide nurse leadership as required

  Ensure that each person receives a high standard of personalised care

  Act as key worker for own caseload.

  Support and implement service improvement activity

  You will have the following skills:

  Registered nurse educated to first degree level

  Significant post registration experience, preferably within the specialty

  Able to work autonomously with minimal supervision

  Evidence of continuing professional development

  Enhanced interpersonal and communication skills including self-awareness and emotional intelligence

  Evidence of a mentorship and/or teaching qualification

  Comply with the regulations governing their specialty, particularly the NMC Code of Professional Standards of Practice and Behaviour

  Effective organisation and time management skills including the ability to work to deadlines, make clinical decisions and able to manage multiple projects

  You will work as part of the wider Breast Cancer team to support the delivery of safe, compassionate and joined-up care.

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Qualified Nurse
  • Degree qualification in nursing
  • Continuous professional development at Level 6/7
  • Mentorship and/or Teaching qualification

  Desirable

  • Physical Assessment skills
  • Advanced communication skills training
  • Leadership qualification
  • Cancer training/ education

  Special Skills & Knowledge

  Essential

  • Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information with empathy
  • Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates provision of care of patients/clients
  • Enhanced interpersonal/ communication skills demonstrating self-awareness and emotional intelligence
  • Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with multidisciplinary team in order to improve and co-ordinate services
  • Competently utilises a wide range of IT systems and programmes
  • Demonstrates compassionate nursing care
  • Personal resilience to manage an emotionally challenging and demanding workload
  • Willingness to undertake further training and development
  • Positive attitude towards change and its implementation
  • Highly motivated
  • Works within codes of practice and professional guidelines

  Desirable

  • Participation in Research & Development activity
  • Knowledge of cancer waiting time targets
  • Knowledge of the Personalised Care Agenda
  • Knowledge of support services for people dealing with cancer

  Special Requirements

  Essential

  • Flexible approach to working hours to meet the needs of the service
  • Ability to travel independently across sites to fulfil the requirements of the post

  Statutory Registration

  Essential

  • Active NMC registration

  Desirable

  • N/A

  Experience

  Essential

  • Significant post-registration experience
  • Experience in Oncology or specialty

  Desirable

  • Experience of working in a leadership/supervisory role
  • Experience working as a specialist nurse

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Qualified Nurse
  • Degree qualification in nursing
  • Continuous professional development at Level 6/7
  • Mentorship and/or Teaching qualification

  Desirable

  • Physical Assessment skills
  • Advanced communication skills training
  • Leadership qualification
  • Cancer training/ education

  Special Skills & Knowledge

  Essential

  • Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information with empathy
  • Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates provision of care of patients/clients
  • Enhanced interpersonal/ communication skills demonstrating self-awareness and emotional intelligence
  • Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with multidisciplinary team in order to improve and co-ordinate services
  • Competently utilises a wide range of IT systems and programmes
  • Demonstrates compassionate nursing care
  • Personal resilience to manage an emotionally challenging and demanding workload
  • Willingness to undertake further training and development
  • Positive attitude towards change and its implementation
  • Highly motivated
  • Works within codes of practice and professional guidelines

  Desirable

  • Participation in Research & Development activity
  • Knowledge of cancer waiting time targets
  • Knowledge of the Personalised Care Agenda
  • Knowledge of support services for people dealing with cancer

  Special Requirements

  Essential

  • Flexible approach to working hours to meet the needs of the service
  • Ability to travel independently across sites to fulfil the requirements of the post

  Statutory Registration

  Essential

  • Active NMC registration

  Desirable

  • N/A

  Experience

  Essential

  • Significant post-registration experience
  • Experience in Oncology or specialty

  Desirable

  • Experience of working in a leadership/supervisory role
  • Experience working as a specialist nurse

  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).

  Additional information

  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).

  Employer details

  Employer name

  County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

  Hollyhurst Road

  Darlington

  County Durham

  DL3 6HX

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

  Hollyhurst Road

  Darlington

  County Durham

  DL3 6HX

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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