About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a Band 7 Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist to join the team and drive clinical excellence and champion patient advocacy. Apply today to progress your career and join a dedicated, multidisciplinary team.
The Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist (LCNS) is a highly specialised practitioner who provides expert clinical leadership and evidence-based care for patients suspected of, diagnosed with, or living with lung cancer. The post holder will undertake comprehensive holistic assessment, care planning, implementation, and evaluation of individualised care, ensuring patients and their families receive high-quality, person-centred support throughout the cancer pathway.
Main duties of the job
Working autonomously and as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, the LCNS will provide specialist advice, advanced clinical decision-making, care coordination, and psychological support from pre-diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, supportive care, and end-of-life care.
The post holder will act as an expert resource for patients, carers, and healthcare professionals, promoting excellence in lung cancer care across the Fylde Coast. They will work collaboratively with consultant teams, specialist nurses, allied health professionals, community and primary care colleagues, and wider cancer services to ensure seamless, integrated care and optimal patient outcomes.
The LCNS will demonstrate clinical leadership by influencing practice, supporting service development, contributing to quality improvement initiatives, clinical audit, and governance activities, and promoting the implementation of local and national cancer strategies.
As a senior specialist practitioner, the post holder will provide education, training, and professional support to nursing, medical, and allied health professional colleagues, helping to develop workforce capability and improve standards of care for patients with lung cancer across the Fylde Coast.
About us
The post holder will exercise a high degree of professional autonomy and accountability within their sphere of practice, acting as a patient advocate and ensuring care is delivered in accordance with the NMC Code, Trust policies, national guidance, and evidence-based best practice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical Practice
Provide expert assessment, management, and ongoing review of patients with suspected or confirmed lung cancer, ensuring holistic care needs are identified and addressed.
Act as key worker for patients and families throughout the cancer pathway, providing continuity of care, advice, information, and advocacy.
Utilise advanced clinical judgement and decision-making skills to coordinate complex care and facilitate timely investigation, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.
Provide specialist psychological support and communicate highly sensitive and complex information with empathy, professionalism, and compassion.
Work collaboratively with consultant teams and multidisciplinary colleagues to develop, implement, and evaluate treatment and care plans.
Support decision-making relating to treatment options, supportive care, advance care planning, ceilings of treatment, and end-of-life care.
Facilitate referrals to appropriate statutory, voluntary, community, and specialist support services to ensure patients and carers receive comprehensive care.
Provide specialist advice and support to healthcare professionals across primary, community, and secondary care settings.
Participate actively in lung cancer multidisciplinary team meetings, contributing to treatment planning and service delivery.
Work autonomously within professional competence, maintaining accountability for clinical decisions and specialist caseload management.
Leadership and Service Development
Act as a clinical leader and role model, promoting high standards of professional practice and patient-centred care.
Support and deputise for the Lead Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist, where required.
Contribute to the strategic development, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist Service.
Support implementation of local, regional, and national cancer priorities, policies, standards, and pathways.
Lead and participate in service improvement initiatives designed to enhance patient experience, quality of care, and operational effectiveness.
Work collaboratively across organisational boundaries to improve care pathways and integration of services.
Education and Professional Development
Develop and deliver specialist education, training, and support programmes for nursing, medical, and allied health professional staff.
Provide informal and formal teaching, mentorship, and clinical supervision to support workforce development.
Actively maintain and develop specialist knowledge and competence through continuing professional development.
Support colleagues in developing skills and knowledge relating to lung cancer care, symptom management, communication, and supportive care.
Quality, Governance and Research
Participate in clinical audit, service evaluation, quality improvement, and governance activities to ensure safe, effective, and evidence-based practice.
Contribute to the development, review, and implementation of policies, guidelines, and clinical pathways.
Ensure timely reporting and investigation of incidents, risks, and concerns in accordance with Trust policies.
Maintain accurate, contemporaneous, and legally compliant clinical records in accordance with NMC standards and Trust requirements.
Support and promote research activity within respiratory and cancer services, facilitating recruitment and participation where appropriate.
Professional Responsibilities
Practice in accordance with the NMC Code, Trust policies, national standards, and relevant professional frameworks.
Promote and maintain best practice relating to health, safety, safeguarding, infection prevention, and information governance.
Attend and contribute to local, regional, and national meetings relevant to the role.
Where qualified as an Independent Non-Medical Prescriber, prescribe safely and appropriately within scope of practice, maintaining competence and compliance with prescribing governance requirements.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (1st Level)
- Specialist qualification/training - level 6 or greater (e.g. respiratory disease/Cancer care area) or evidence of equivalent experience
- Mentorship or Teaching Qualification/Training, evidence of equivalent
- Advanced Communications Qualification/Training
Desirable
- Independent Non-medical Prescribing (V300) or ability to undertake course
- Counselling Qualification
Experience
Essential
- Substantial post registration experience (> 5 years)
- Evidence of ability to demonstrate application of evidence-based practice
- Experience in management of complex respiratory/cancer patients including assessment, planning and implementation of treatment and care
- Evidence of CPD relevant to respiratory/cancer care
Desirable
- Experience in a leadership and management role
- Previous experience working within a Respiratory Specialist Service/Role, or ability to demonstrate evidence of equivalent experience
- Experience of teaching both formally and informally
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding and application of audit and research principles
- Knowledge and experience of the lung cancer pathway and related NHS policies and procedures
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work autonomously, prioritising workload efficiently and managing time effectively
- High standard of oral and written communication skills, with confidence to discuss patient cases and drive clinical decision making
- Competence and confidence in accurate assessment and management of complex patients to high professional standards
- Ability to demonstrate reflexivity and critique own practice
- Confident and assertive decision maker
- Ability to delegate with confidence and competence
- Ability to influence, negotiate and communicate confidently and professionally with both senior and junior members of the multidisciplinary team
- Evidence of excellent team working
- IT Literacy - ability to use a variety of standard systems that supports patient care and record keeping
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
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Blackpool Victoria Hospital
Whinney Heys Road
Blackpool
FY3 8NR
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.blackpoolteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)