About this role
Job summary
Two exciting opportunities have arisen for two experienced and highly motivated nurses to join our Haematology team as a Band 7 Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialists. One full-time position at Darlington Memorial hospital and one 30 hours position at the University Hospital of North Durham. (please note that cross site working is required on occasions).
This is a key specialist role providing expert, evidence-based nursing care, advice and support to patients with haematological conditions and their families throughout their care pathway. Working closely with Consultant Haematologists and the wider multidisciplinary team, you will act as a key worker, coordinating care and supporting patients through diagnosis, treatment, ongoing management and supportive care.
The post offers significant scope for autonomous practice and professional development. You will establish and deliver nurse-led services, undertake comprehensive patient assessment, support patients receiving systemic anti-cancer treatment and contribute to the development of clinical pathways, protocols and standards of care.
As a senior clinical leader within the service, you will also play an important role in education, audit, research, service improvement and the development of evidence-based haematology nursing practice.
Main duties of the job
The Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist will provide expert, evidence-based nursing care, advice and support to patients with haematological conditions and their families, acting as a key worker throughout the patient pathway.
Working autonomously and as part of the multidisciplinary team, the post holder will assess and manage patients, coordinate investigations, treatment and follow-up, and provide ongoing support to patients receiving chemotherapy, radiotherapy and best supportive care.
The post holder will establish and maintain nurse-led clinics, including the monitoring and management of patients requiring blood transfusion, venesection and those with chronic haematological conditions, including myeloproliferative neoplasms. They will utilise advanced assessment, history-taking and clinical examination skills and, where appropriately qualified, independent and supplementary prescribing skills.
The role includes providing specialist advice to healthcare professionals across primary and secondary care, contributing expert nursing input to MDT meetings and ensuring effective communication and continuity of care across services.
The post holder will also lead and contribute to service development, clinical audit, research, education and the development of evidence-based protocols and pathways, supporting continuous improvement in the quality and experience of haematology care.
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.
Please note that we may close any vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Job description Job responsibilities
We are looking for an experienced nurse with strong haematology or oncology experience, excellent communication skills and a genuine commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate and patient-centred care.
As a Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist, you will be a key member of the Haematology multidisciplinary team, providing specialist nursing expertise, clinical leadership and ongoing support to patients with haematological conditions and their families and carers.
You will act as a key worker for patients, helping them to understand their diagnosis, treatment options and ongoing management. You will provide timely, sensitive and individualised information and support throughout the patient pathway, including for patients receiving chemotherapy, radiotherapy and best supportive care. You will provide accessible telephone support and act as an advocate for patients and carers when required.
Working closely with Consultant Haematologists and the wider multidisciplinary team, you will coordinate the patient journey to support timely investigation, treatment, follow-up and continuity of care. You will provide expert nursing input into MDT meetings and work collaboratively with inpatient, outpatient, chemotherapy, cancer, primary care, community and specialist services.
A key element of the role is the development and delivery of nurse-led services. You will establish and maintain nurse-led clinics, including the monitoring and management of patients requiring blood transfusion and venesection and those living with appropriate chronic haematological conditions. You will use specialist assessment, history-taking and clinical examination skills to support clinical decision-making and patient management. Where appropriately qualified, you will work as an Independent and Supplementary Nurse Prescriber.
The role requires a high level of professional autonomy and accountability. You will provide specialist advice and clinical expertise to nursing, medical and other healthcare professionals and act as an accessible resource for colleagues across primary and secondary care.
The post holder will also provide day-to-day leadership and line management to the Cancer Care Coordinator, supporting their development, performance and wellbeing and ensuring effective coordination of the haematology patient pathway.
You will have an important role in developing the Haematology service to ensure care remains safe, effective, evidence-based and responsive to the changing needs of patients. This will include contributing to the development of clinical pathways, protocols, guidelines and standards of care, alongside audit, evaluation, research and quality improvement.
Education and professional development are also integral to the post. You will support the development of staff caring for haematology patients, providing formal and informal education and sharing specialist knowledge across the wider healthcare team. You will maintain your own professional development and specialist knowledge in line with NMC requirements and relevant national, local and Trust guidance.
This is a varied and rewarding senior clinical nursing role, combining direct patient care, autonomous practice, multidisciplinary working, education, service improvement and clinical leadership, with the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the experience and outcomes of patients receiving haematology care.
Person Specification
Statutory Registration Essential
Registered Nurse (Adult) on Part 1 of the NMC Register with a current valid NMC PIN.
Experience Essential
Significant post-registration nursing experience within haematology and/or oncology. Significant experience of caring for patients with haematological conditions. Experience of supporting patients and their families through diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and ongoing management. Experience of multidisciplinary and multi-professional working. Experience of coordinating complex patient care and pathways. Experience of working autonomously and managing a specialist clinical workload. Experience of providing patient education, information and psychological support. Experience of clinical audit, quality improvement and/or service evaluation. Experience of supporting the education and development of nursing and multidisciplinary colleagues.
Desirable
Experience within a Clinical Nurse Specialist or other specialist nursing role. Experience of developing and/or delivering nurse-led clinics. Experience of caring for patients receiving systemic anti-cancer treatment. Experience of developing clinical guidelines, protocols or pathways. Experience of research within haematology, oncology or cancer services. Experience of leading or contributing to service development and change. Experience of working across primary, secondary, tertiary and community care interfaces.
Qualifications Essential
Registered Nurse (Adult). Degree-level qualification in a relevant subject. Relevant post-graduate qualification in haematology, oncology, cancer care or a related clinical specialty, or evidence of working towards this. Evidence of relevant continuing professional development. Teaching/mentorship qualification or equivalent experience.
Desirable
Masters-level qualification or evidence of working towards Masters-level study. Recognised specialist haematology qualification. Advanced clinical assessment/clinical examination qualification. Independent and Supplementary Prescribing qualification. Advanced communication skills training. Research, audit or quality improvement qualification/training. Leadership training/ qualification
Special Skills & Knowledge Essential
Specialist knowledge of haematology nursing and the management of patients with haematological conditions. Knowledge of current developments in haematology services and evidence-based practice. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively. Advanced patient assessment and clinical decision-making skills. Ability to work autonomously and manage a specialist caseload. Excellent multidisciplinary and multi-professional working skills. Ability to coordinate complex patient pathways and promote continuity of care. Knowledge of clinical governance, audit, research and quality improvement. Ability to provide specialist advice, education and support to patients, carers and healthcare professionals. Leadership skills with the ability to influence practice, support change and contribute to service development. Ability to develop and implement evidence-based clinical guidelines, protocols and pathways.
Desirable
Advanced clinical examination and history-taking skills. Independent and Supplementary Prescribing skills. Advanced communication skills, including managing difficult (replace with challenging) conversations/ delivering unwnated news. Knowledge and experience of nurse-led clinics. Research and clinical audit skills within haematology/oncology. Knowledge of clinical trials and research within haematology.
Qualifications Essential
Registered Nurse (Adult). Degree-level qualification in a relevant subject. Relevant post-graduate qualification in haematology, oncology, cancer care or a related clinical specialty, or evidence of working towards this. Evidence of relevant continuing professional development. Teaching/mentorship qualification or equivalent experience.
Desirable
Masters-level qualification or evidence of working towards Masters-level study. Recognised specialist haematology qualification. Advanced clinical assessment/clinical examination qualification. Independent and Supplementary Prescribing qualification. Advanced communication skills training. Research, audit or quality improvement qualification/training. Leadership training/ qualification
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
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)