Band 7 Nurse Lead, Rapid Diagnosis Centre

Advertised role location: Whiteabbey Hosp Site
Official document: NHSCT- Nurse Lead, Rapid Diagnosis Centre Band 7 (docx)
Nurse Lead, Rapid Diagnosis Centre
(Vague Symptom Pathway)

Band 7
Band 7

Nurse Lead, Rapid Diagnosis Centre
(Vague Symptom Pathway)

Band 7
Band 7


The Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) is responsible for the delivery of safe and effective health and social care (HSC) services to the population of the Northern Trust area in Northern Ireland.
We provide compassionate care with our community in our community. In order to do this we require the commitment of a highly skilled and professional workforce that meets the need of the service.
The diagram below outlines our values and our objectives which support the delivery of compassionate care within our community.

The below diagram details the values and associated behaviours that we expect staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) to display at all times;

HSC Value
What does this mean?
What does this look like in practice? - Behaviours

Working Together

We work together for the best outcome for people we care for and support. We work across Health and Social Care and with other external organisations and agencies, recognising that leadership is the responsibility of all.


I work with others and value everyone’s contribution
I treat people with respect and dignity
I work as part of a team looking for opportunities to support and help people in both my own and other teams
I actively engage people on issues that affect them
I look for feedback and examples of good practice, aiming to improve where possible

Compassion

We are sensitive, caring, respectful and understanding towards those we care for and support and our colleagues. We listen carefully to others to better understand and take action to help them and ourselves.


I am sensitive to the different needs and feelings of others and treat people with kindness
I learn from others by listening carefully to them
I look after my own health and well-being so that I can care for and support others


Excellence

We commit to being the best we can be in our work, aiming to improve and develop services to achieve positive changes. We deliver safe, high-quality, compassionate care and support.
I put the people I care for and support at the centre of all I do to make a difference
I take responsibility for my decisions and actions
I commit to best practice and sharing learning, while continually learning and developing
I try to improve by asking ‘could we do this better?’

Openness & Honesty

We are open and honest with each other and act with integrity and candour.

I am open and honest in order to develop trusting relationships
I ask someone for help when needed
I speak up if I have concerns
I challenge inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour and practice


JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Nurse Lead, Rapid Diagnosis Centre

BAND: 7

DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: Surgical and Clinical Services

INITIAL LOCATION: Whiteabbey Hopspital

REPORTS TO: Lead Nurse

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Clinical Service Manager

FLEXIBLE WORKING
PROVISIONS AVAILABLE: part time working only

JOB SUMMARY:

The Rapid Diagnosis Centre (RDC) Nurse Lead will actively participate in the development of the vague symptom pathway for patients aged 18 years and over. The RDC Nurse Lead will oversee, manage and support patients throughout the diagnostic pathway and help shape the future of the rapid diagnosis service. As a core member of the Rapid Diagnosis multidisciplinary team they will proactively work to advance the modernisation agenda of services for patients.
This service aims to support rapid diagnosis of people with undifferentiated symptoms suggestive of cancer. This service provision will enable a definitive diagnosis of cancer and other conditions, facilitating onward appropriate referral.
The RDC Nurse Lead will lead and participate in the provision of expert advice in developing, implementing and montoring policies, procedures and protocols which meet national, regional and local requirements. They will manage and develop the Rapid Diagnosis Service on a day to day basis.
The nurse will act as a specialist resource providing clinical expertise in care, advice and support within the RDC. They will demonstrate appropriate care values including compassion, respect and empathy. Treating people with dignity and acting with integrity, courage, responsibility, imagination and adapability.
They will use highly specialist knowledge and skills to supportively manage patients through the service and ensure a seamless co-ordinated approach to person-centred care. They will work in a professional manner to co-ordinate and be responsible for signposting to other pathways, professionals and agencies.








KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical

Lead in providing a person-centred holistic approach to assess the physical, psychological and social needs of the patient / client, families and carers.

Be responsible, with the Lead Clinician, for triaging referrals received, in accordance with the vague pathway protocol.

Request and review investigations, interpreting and discussing results within the multidisciplinary team and ensuring appropriate actions are followed up.

Work within regional guidelines and local protocols, using expert knowledge and clinical skills to assess and manage individuals with vague symptoms to support timely diagnosis and signposting to appropriate pathways.

Lead in the development of the nursing role within the rapid diagnosis clinics.

Work alongside the Lead Clinician to identify the most appropriate multidisciplinary team (MDT) once a diagnosis of cancer or other significant condition is confirmed and be responsible for making onward referrals.

Work autonomously within the multidisciplinary team by using advanced level of analytical and judgement skills of patients physical, social and psychological needs.

Act as a core member of the multidisciplinary team across all aspects of care both internal and external to the organisation.

Ensure effective communication within the team to guarantee accurate and efficient decision making.

Act as the patient’s advocate when informed discussion may lead to choices being made concerning treatment options.

Hold a caseload and act as the patient keyworker, managing and supporting people throughout the diagnosis pathway.

Provide expert clinical knowledge and advice to patients with vague symptoms which may lead to a cancer diagnosis or another significant condition.

Enhance the patient experience by ensuring effective and timely communication is maintained before, during and after clinic appointments and during transitions between primary, diagnosis and specialist teams.

Facilitate difficult conversations in an empathic manner, respecting the potential for highly emotive responses due to the impact of a diagnosis.

Communicate effectively with patients and families ensuring their understanding when conveying information, either written or verbal, as appropriate.

Provide timely, high quality information for patients, enabling people to have an improved understanding of their condition and treatment, and help them to navigate and access information and support.

Identify holistic needs through patient assessment, including the physical, spiritual, emotional psychological, psychosocial aspects of care and information needs.

Determine an appropriate plan of care based on the findings of the assessment and clinical examination, and clinical management.

Be available as the primary resource and nursing link between the rapid diagnosis clinics, primary and secondary care.

Maintain effective records management, ensuring all documentation, written or electronic is managed as per HSC Trust and NMC ( 2009 ) guidelines.

Act as an expert resource, liaising with NICaN and other relevant network groups and contribute in the planning, development and implementation of regional and national clinical guidelines and protocols where appropriate.

Lead on the delivery and promotion of evidence-based practice in line with local and national guidelines.

1.2 Leadership and Management

The post holder will provide clinical leadership and direction for the nursing component of the Rapid Diagnosis service and pathway.

Provide line management of other RDC nursing staff and support workers.

Demonstrate appropriate care values including compassion, respect, empathy, treating people with dignity, integrity, courage, responsibility, imagination and adaptability.

Actively participate in the planning and implementing of objectives for the Rapid Diagnosis service, facilitating and leading when necessary in developing, standards / clinical care pathways for patients with cancer.

Contribute to the development of relevant clinical guidelines, agreed protocols and procedures for the service ensuring that they are embedded and communicated to relevant personnel.

Actively participate in the development of quality initiatives such as audit, evidence based practice and risk management within a culture of continuous quality improvement.

Lead on the development and delivery of a range of information resources to meet the demands of the RDC pathway.

Lead in the analysis of data and patient experience, working collaboratively to identify gaps in service provision, providing leadership in the co-design and development of new initiatives and management of services that takes account of the needs of patients / clients, their families and carers.

Establish professional relationships and maintain effective communication, with other professional networks across the Trust and wider health community, in order to develop and exchange ideas for improving clinical care.

Work collaboratively to influence and facilitate change and improvement in the delivery of the rapid diagnosis service and care in partnership with the RDC Lead, RDC project team, Trust staff and patient experience teams to ensure the project outcomes are achieved.

Provide leadership and direction in ensuring adherence to agreed milestones and targets, communicating progress to the Project Group.

Act in accordance with the provisions of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct (2018).

Work within the Trust Policy regarding the investigation and resolution of complaints.

Appropriately delegate, supervise and support others within the scope of each
individual’s role and in line with the NMC The Code: Professional Standard of Practice and Behaviour for Nurses and Midwifes (NMC, 2018) and HPSS Code of Conduct (DoH 2016) retaining responsibility and accountability for outcomes and act as a role model and change agent.

Education and Development

Contribute to the development of education and training packages to enhance the knowledge and skills of the primary health care teams in providing care to cancer patients with regard to early diagnosis, pathways of care, prehabilitation and rehabilitation including models for living well with cancer.

Create an environment which supports the culture of learning and reflective practice for all staff.

Undertake supervision and appraisal of staff when required.

Share and promote good practice through involvement with local and national groups, including presentations, publication and dissemination of role evaluation.

Take an active role in self-development, reviewing own performance, identifying own needs and taking active measures to meet those needs, in accordance with professional requirements.

Monitor and reflect on own performance, continually updating knowledge and skills and provide evidence of continued competence in nursing practice in accordance with NMC guidelines.

1.4 Research
Facilitate a research culture to support continuous improvement activities.

Facilitate the use of evidence-based practice, audit and peer review to enhance patient / client care and / or the service and disseminate relevant findings.

Participate in research and Clinical practice development projects, using appropriate research methodologies.

Collaborate with external organisations for evaluation and research purposes.

Collect, analyse, interpret and present complex information, develop a range of measurable outcome indicators with the RDC project team to ensure that the performance of complex activity can be measured and reported in response to local, national and project specific requirements.

Facilitate the advancement of the body of knowledge through audit, service improvement, education, research and develop the practice of others.

Collates and records quantitative and qualitative data to demonstrate evidence of outcomes and quality and produces relevant reports.



GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Ensure the appropriate governance and risk management arrangements are in place for the services you are responsible for and take appropriate action to identify and manage risk and to maintain safety of users, staff and others in accordance with relevant regulations, policies and procedures;
It is essential to ensure that the highest standards of infection prevention and control are maintained to ensure patient and client safety and maintain confidence in the Trust. As a Manager, you must ensure that you implement all instructions/ policy in this area and that all staff are made aware of and fully comply with these;
Where the post-holder has responsibility for managing a budget, ensure that services are managed and developed both in accordance with agreed and funded priorities as set out on a yearly basis and in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions, particularly ensuring your compliance with payroll documentation procedures and timescales;
Ensure the necessary arrangements are in place in regard to the ‘Knowledge and Skills Framework’ outlines, where this applies, for the posts for which you have management responsibility and ensure that each member of staff has an annual development and performance review, a personal development plan and that arrangements are in place to ensure that staff have maximum opportunity to progress through gateways in their pay bands and to contribute effectively towards our objectives;
Promote a culture of continuous service improvement amongst your staff, encouraging their participation and that of service users in reviewing and modernising current services and in service development;
Make sure you are trained and competent in the relevant policies and procedures which apply to the management of staff and other resources and abide by these policies; seeking advice as necessary from senior management or specialist staff as necessary;
Communicate effectively with staff and maintain productive working relationships amongst your staff and with others;
Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to staff in order to ensure optimum and effective service delivery and decision-making, whilst retaining overall accountability and responsibility for outcomes;
Promote a culture of learning and development and facilitate arrangements for and participate in training and development of staff as agreed for the performance of their duties. Where training is in accordance with relevant standards make sure you have the relevant competences in order to carry out this responsibility;
Promote equality of opportunity for all by personal action, both in the management of your staff and in the provision of care to service users in accordance with the Trust’s Equality of Opportunity Policy and Equality Scheme;
Take responsibility for ensuring appropriate standards of environmental cleanliness and for encouraging staff to maintain standards in their work area. Have an awareness of environmental issues and take appropriate action, for example to ensure the efficient use of energy and other resources, recycling etc.;
Make sure that staff are aware of Trust policies regarding the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Records Management and that they must not disclose, withhold, retain or dispose of any information unless legally authorised.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Employees of the Trust will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:-
At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner

At all times demonstrate practice the HSC values of Working Together, Excellence, Openness & Honesty and Compassion

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in a manner which assures patient and client safety

Comply with all instructions in regard to Infection Prevention and Control

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them

Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations

Adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course of their employment

Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in service provision

Adhere to the Code of Conduct for HSC Employees which aims to guide staff, managers and employers in the work that they do and the decisions and choices they have to make. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the NHSCT Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.


RECORDS MANAGEMENT
All employees of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including (for example) the ICT Security Policy, Data Quality and Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

SALARY
£- £ £47,810 - £54,710 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)

RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK
Please note this role may not meet the requirements for a Skilled Worker visa (including a Heath and Care Worker visa) and the Trust therefore would be unable to employ anyone that requires Sponsorship. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration).

HOURS
Normal full-time hours of duty are 37½ hours per week, exclusive of meal times (please see advertisement for hours of post)

MEDICAL
Appointment will be subject to a successful pre-employment health assessment.

HOLIDAYS
27 days each year; 29 days after 5 years’ service; 33 days after 10 years’ service and 10 statutory and public holidays.

PENSION
The post-holder can participate in the Health Social Care Pension Scheme.

NORTHERN TRUST BENEFITS
You can explore the benefits on offer to you in the Northern Trust by clicking here

PROBATIONARY PERIOD
You will serve a probationary period of normally six months.

WAITING LIST
A waiting list may be compiled for similar permanent / temporary, full / part time posts which may arise within the next 6 months in the Northern Trust in Cancer Services, RDC, Whiteabbey Hospital.

PAY PROTECTION
Legacy Trust Staff who apply for a promotion after 1 April 2011 should be aware that they will lose their legacy protection arrangements and will be entitled to pay protection in accordance with circular HSS (JNF)(1) 2011. This circular will also apply to legacy staff who are currently in receipt of protection and who move post on promotion.

Completed application forms should be returned to the BSO Recruitment and Selection Shared Services Centre, on or before the closing date as stated in the advertisement.

Canvassing, either directly or indirectly, will be an absolute disqualification.

We will review this Job Description and it may include any other duties and responsibilities we determine in consultation with the jobholder. We do not intend it to be rigid and inflexible but rather to provide guidelines within which the jobholder works.

July 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Title of Post: Nurse Lead, Rapid Diagnosis Centre

Band of Post: 7

Notes to applicants:
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.
Volunteering experience may be considered appropriate in particular for roles within the context of direct patient/client care.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA


SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor
Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/ Registration

Experience
Registered Nurse: on Part 1 of the live NMC register

3 years post-registration experience, delivering care to people with cancer or other complex conditions and have a degree in nursing
Or
5 years post-registration experience at band 5 including 3 years delivering care to people with cancer or other complex conditions
And have obtained a post registration diploma in health or management related subject.
Or
5 years post-registration experience which must include a minimum of 2 years at band 6 or above delivering care to people with cancer or other complex conditions


Evidence of post registration training and development
Shortlisting by Application Form

Other
Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities
Delivery of person-centered care for people with cancer and other complex conditions

Ability to work autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team

Effective leadership and management skills to improve care

Organisational and prioritisation skills

Ability to plan and work on own initiative

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Teach informal/ formal situation and develop training packages

Change management/project management experience.

Demonstrate the ability to achieve results within demanding timescales

Interview / Test

Knowledge
Demonstrate knowledge in the management of patients with cancer and other complex conditions including diagnosis, treatment and aftercare.

Have a sound knowledge of changing trends in cancer and other complex conditions including an understanding of referral process and diagnostic pathways across primary care and secondary care.

Quality, audit and service improvement methodologies.

Ability to critically analyse research and apply to practice setting.

IT literate


Interview / Test

DESIRABLE CRITERIA


SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment

Experience

Management of a caseload/service
Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications
Advanced communications training / skills course
Post registration qualification

Shortlisting by Application Form

Value Based Recruitment
Value Based Recruitment is a process adopted by the Northern Trust to attract and select employees on the basis that their individual values and behaviours align with those of the Trust.
It focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ people do what they do.
Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required knowledge, skills, competencies and values to be effective in this new role.
In answering the value based questions you have the opportunity to share examples of when you have demonstrated values relevant to the Northern Trust.

Criminal Offences, Investigations and Charges
Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with the Trust. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate. Where it is necessary to obtain an Access NI disclosure the Trust operates in line with the Access NI Code of Practice (www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/accessni-code-practice).

If you require further information or a copy of the policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders or the policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure Information, please contact the Trust Human Resources Department.

Essential Leadership Capabilities

The successful candidate will need to provide evidence and demonstrate their Leadership capabilities against the required dimension on the NHS Leadership framework.
A shortlist of candidates for interview will be prepared on the basis of the information contained in the application form. It is therefore essential that all applicants demonstrate through their application how and to what extent their experience and qualities are relevant to this post and the extent to which they satisfy each criterion specified. An assessment centre may also be used as part of the short-listing process.
Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required competencies to be effective in this demanding leadership role. The dimensions concerned are given in the Healthcare Leadership Model details of which can be found at http://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/resources/healthcare-leadership-model.
Particular attention will be given to the following:
Inspiring shared purpose
Leading with care
Evaluating information
Connecting our service
Sharing the vision
Engaging the team
Holding to account
Developing capability
Influencing for results

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

THE NHSCT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants:
may be required to attend for a Health Assessment
can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.
have the right to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.
July 2026