Upper Gastrointestinal Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

The Band 7 Upper GI Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) provides expert leadership and coordination across the Upper GI cancer pathway, acting as a key point of contact for patients, carers and the multidisciplinary team. The post holder is responsible for managing a specialist caseload, undertaking holistic assessment, coordinating diagnostics and treatment, delivering nurse-led clinics, and ensuring patients receive timely, high-quality care throughout their cancer journey. The role also leads on service improvement, clinical governance, audit, education and quality assurance activities, supporting compliance with cancer standards and improving patient outcomes. Working autonomously within an advanced nursing framework, the CNS provides specialist advice, advocates for patients, contributes to policy and pathway development, and plays a critical role in maintaining safe, effective and patient-centred cancer services.

Main duties of the job

• To provide sound clinical leadership and develop support mechanisms for sharing good practice within the clinical setting and Trust wide.
• To demonstrate politeness, courtesy and sensitivity in dealing with patients/clients, visitors/relatives and colleagues, maintaining good customer relations.
• To assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care, providing specialist advice and actively seeking evidence based practice, which will improve the quality of care and meet the needs of a group of patients.
• Manage episodes of care as own/joint/shared caseload, discharging patients as per protocol.
• To be actively involved in the development of Trust policies and procedures, providing specialist input, leading their implementation and reinforce their use.
• To take the lead in ensuring compliance to Trust policies and procedures amongst the multi-disciplinary team.
• To manage the efficient and effective use of supplies, provisions and equipment within delegated budgets.
• Be actively involved in staff education and development, including utilising appropriate learning opportunities.

Working for our organisation

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.

Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You’ll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career. Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.

For both overviews, please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

Person specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Current appropriate professional registration
• Teaching and Assessing qualification, or equivalent teaching experience
• 3 years post-registration experience in a relevant area

Desirable criteria

• Working to MSc level or equivalent
• Leadership and/or research qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience in either a junior specialty role or team leader role
• Experience with managing patients in a relevant specialist area (e.g. Gastroenterology, Endoscopy, Colorectal)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Essential criteria

• Able to demonstrate highly developed specialist knowledge of own patient group
• Knowledge of research and audit, including implementation of findings and review of outcomes
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Ability to practice within the scope of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct
• Good IT skills, understanding of the MS Office suite
• Ability to manage difficult situations effectively
• Able to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Demonstrate the ability to compile and analyse complex written information
• Knowledge of national cancer treatment standards

Desirable criteria

• Demonstrate commitment through involvement in Trust wide initiatives/committees
• Advanced IT skills or use of Excel

Right to work

If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in your application form. Due to recent changes in the UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information about eligibility is available on

We operate a joint recruitment hub across the North West London Acute Provider Collaborative Group. As part of this, your application and personal data may be shared with partner trusts within the group for recruitment and workforce purposes, in line with general data protection regulation (GDPR).

Vacancy Closing Date

This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

Please ensure you check your emails regularly as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process. If you are shortlisted you will be contacted by email and text message (if you provide a mobile contact number).

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