About this role
Job summary Lead the future of Head & Neck cancer diagnosis by triaging referrals, running nurseled virtual clinics and driving faster, safer pathways for patients.
Main duties of the job Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see JD attached for Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS) Nurse Specialist for Head & Neck
About us The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.
This means were working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.
Were a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.
Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.
Job description Job responsibilities
Job overview
The post holder will be responsible for the clinical triage of urgent suspected Head & Neck cancer referrals, ensuring timely, appropriate allocation to diagnostic pathways in line with national guidance and local protocols. This includes assessing referral quality, clinical risk and urgency, identifying patients suitable for straighttotest or alternative diagnostic routes, and ensuring robust safetynetting is in place.
The role includes authorising and coordinating diagnostic investigations, working collaboratively with diagnostic services to optimise capacity, prioritisation and pathway flow, and prevent unnecessary delays. The post holder will have authority to request, reprioritise or amend investigations within agreed scope of practice.
The post holder will lead and undertake independent nurseled virtual clinics, providing clinical assessment, review of results, patient communication and onward pathway planning. Virtual clinics will be used to support early decisionmaking, reduce unnecessary facetoface attendances, and improve compliance with the Faster Diagnosis Standard while maintaining patient safety and experience.
End of fixed term contract - 30/06/2027
Main duties of the job
The post holder will clinically triage urgent suspected Head & Neck cancer referrals, ensuring referrals are directed promptly and appropriately to diagnostic pathways in accordance with national guidance and local protocols. This includes evaluating referral quality, clinical risk and urgency, identifying suitability for straighttotest or alternative diagnostic pathways, and ensuring effective safetynetting arrangements are in place. The role includes authorising and coordinating diagnostic investigations, working collaboratively with diagnostic services to optimise capacity, prioritisation and pathway flow, and prevent unnecessary delays. The post holder will have authority to request, reprioritise or amend investigations within agreed scope of practice. The post holder will lead and undertake independent nurseled virtual clinics, providing clinical assessment, review of results, patient communication and onward pathway planning. Virtual clinics will be used to support early decisionmaking, reduce unnecessary facetoface attendances, and improve compliance with the Faster Diagnosis Standard while maintaining patient safety and experience. Provide expert clinical advice on Head & Neck cancer diagnostics, referral management and safety netting. Support complex clinical decision making and pathway escalation to minimise diagnostic delay. Promote a patient centred, equitable approach throughout the diagnostic process. Practice autonomously with a high level of accountability at a specialist level in the direct delivery of high-quality care, making critical clinical decisions based on advanced clinical skills assessment. The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave—a national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.
This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.
We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.
Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see JD attached
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Registered Nurse with current NMC registration Leadership course Degreelevel qualification in Nursing or equivalent professional qualification Evidence of postgraduate study or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g. cancer care, leadership, advanced clinical practice, service improvement) Ongoing commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) Recognised qualification or formal training in Cancer care or oncology nursing Recognised qualification or formal training in Coaching, mentoring or clinical supervision
Desirable
Evidence of education or training related to early cancer diagnosis or diagnostic pathways Recognised qualification or formal training in Quality improvement or change management Masters degree (or working towards) in a relevant subject such as: Cancer Nursing Advanced Clinical Practice Leadership / Management Health Service Improvement
Experience Essential
Significant postregistration experience in cancer nursing, diagnostic pathways or Head & Neck services Demonstrable experience working at Band 7 or equivalent senior level Proven experience of managing or influencing cancer pathways, ideally from referral to diagnosis Experience of delivering or supporting compliance with national cancer standards, including the Faster Diagnosis Standard Experience of working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, including medical, diagnostic and operational staff Experience of managing complex clinical and operational issues in a highpressure environment Experience of professional leadership, supervision or support of nursing or pathway staff Experience of education, coaching or mentoring of clinical staff
Desirable
Involvement in development or delivery of early cancer diagnosis initiatives, such as straight-to-test or one-stop clinics Involvement in performance management, audit, or assurance reporting related to cancer services Experience of working across organisational or system boundaries, including Cancer Alliance or ICS settings Evidence of service improvement, pathway redesign or change management, using data to drive improvement
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.
Employer details Employer name The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
Address The Princess Alexandra Hospital
Harlow
Essex
CM20 1QX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.pah.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)