About this role
Job summary
Colorectal Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist for CANS - Permanent
This is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) role within the newly established Chelsea Anogenital Neoplasia Service.
The post is designed for a highly skilled and experienced clinician with established expertise in HPV-related anogenital disease and advanced clinical practice. The successful candidate will play a pivotal leadership role in delivering, coordinating, and expanding a specialist service focused on the prevention, early detection, and management of anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia (HSIL) and anal cancer in high-risk populations.
Working autonomously within a multidisciplinary framework, the ANP will integrate across colorectal, sexual health, and gynaecology services to ensure seamless patient pathways. The role requires an individual already competent in high-resolution anoscopy (HRA), clinical assessment, treatment delivery, and service coordination, with the ability to lead clinical pathways and influence service development. The post-holder will be central to addressing inequalities in anal cancer prevention, particularly among high-risk women, while also contributing to research, education, and innovation within this rapidly expanding specialist field.
Main duties of the job
The ANP will independently deliver specialist clinical care, including performing high-resolution anoscopy (HRA), anal cytology and HPV testing, and providing treatment for anal HSIL within outpatient settings. They will run nurse-led clinics alongside consultant colleagues, while also coordinating multidisciplinary care across colorectal, sexual health, gynaecology, and oncology teams. A key responsibility includes overseeing patient pathways, ensuring timely surveillance, follow-up, and treatment for individuals within the anogenital neoplasia service, as well as managing long-term follow-up for anal cancer patients in collaboration with the Royal Marsden Hospital.
The post-holder will lead service coordination, including preparation and facilitation of the Anogenital Neoplasia MDT and contribution to colorectal MDT discussions. They will also drive patient-centred care, delivering education, organising engagement initiatives, and developing community outreach programmes for primary and secondary care clinicians. Additionally, the ANP will coordinate screening initiatives for high-risk women, contribute to reducing health inequalities, and play an active role in research activities, including data collection and analysis for international databases such as MASCARA, with opportunities for academic progression and publication.
About us
Our Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid.
We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future.
We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring.
If you haven't heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probation. Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Job description Job responsibilities
This post is aimed at delivering and leading a newly established specialist service, the Chelsea Anogenital Neoplasia Service for patients with Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-related anogenital dysplasia and anal cancer. The service focuses on the identification and treatment of anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia (HSIL), the precancerous precursor to anal squamous cell carcinoma, in high-risk patient groups. This includes high-risk women, who represent two-thirds of patients with anal cancer but have historically been underrepresented in prevention strategies.
2. The Anogenital Neoplasia Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) will be a highly experienced and autonomous practitioner who will integrate into the existing colorectal team and work closely with Sexual Health and Gynaecology services. The successful candidate will already possess the specialist knowledge and clinical skills required to lead and deliver this service.
3. Key responsibilities will include:
4. Independently performing high-resolution anoscopy (HRA), anal cytology/HPV sampling, and delivering topical treatment for anal HSIL within the clinic setting.
5. Running independent Anogenital Neoplasia clinics alongside consultant staff.
6. Leading and coordinating the service across multidisciplinary teams.
7. Proactively managing and tracking patients within the service, ensuring timely surveillance, follow-up, and treatment.
8. Overseeing follow-up for anal cancer patients post-treatment (including those managed with the Royal Marsden Hospital), ensuring appropriate 5-year surveillance imaging and HRA is organised.
9. Coordinating the local anal cancer trial screening service for high-risk women, contributing to reducing national gender inequalities in anal cancer outcomes.
10. Delivering expert patient-centred education and support regarding HPV-related disease, and leading patient engagement initiatives, including events and feedback collection.
11. Developing and delivering outreach education programmes for General Practitioners and other healthcare professionals on HPV-related anogenital disease.
12. Playing a central role in research, including data collection and analysis for MASCARA, an international anal cancer database, with opportunities for further academic development.
13. Preparing and leading the Anogenital Neoplasia multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting.
14. Attending and contributing to the Colorectal MDT for anal cancer case discussions.
15. This is a tertiary referral service for the Cancer Alliance, with established clinics and theatre capacity, and a clear trajectory for growth as referral pathways and screening strategies expand. The ANP will play a pivotal leadership role in the ongoing development, delivery, and evaluation of the service.
16. All new cases are reviewed at a fortnightly multidisciplinary meeting, where management plans are agreed.
17. The successful candidate will be expected to take a lead role in the organisation, delivery, and continuous improvement of this specialist diagnostic and treatment service. Given the senior nature of the role, the post requires an individual who is already trained and competent in relevant clinical procedures and pathways, with the ability to work autonomously within a multidisciplinary framework.
18. There are significant opportunities for research through service development and outcomes analysis, with expectation of presentation at international conferences and publication in leading peer-reviewed journals.
Key responsibilities
Clinical
19. Uses best evidence, advanced specialist skills, knowledge and expertise to provide expert clinical care.
20. To integrate into the existing clinical structure and to support other professionals to manage the routine care of CANS outpatients by collaborating with other principle team members.
21. The ANP will undertake routine advanced anogenital assessment of CANS patients including history taking, clinical examination, HRA and HSIL treatment in clinic, arranging relevant investigations and prescribing relevant medications.
22. Preparing the CANS MDT, discussing anal cancer patients at the colorectal MDT, booking patients for day surgery treatment in conjunction with the theatre scheduling team. Review patients progress on a daily basis, recording any changes in their condition in the medical notes/annotate on EPR. Verbally communicating changes in care to the patient and relevant members of the multidisciplinary CANS team.
23. The ANP will undertake routine management of the CANS patient including regular monitoring of these patients, communicate with relevant members of the CANS team when clinical concerns arise and be responsible for ensuring appropriate outpatient follow-up and surveillance is organised.
24. Carry out clinical procedures, e.g. blood sampling, anal swabs for cytology and HPV, digital rectal examination, genital examination, high-resolution anoscopy, taking biopsies of relevant lesions, application of relevant topical treatments to anal HSIL. Training in laser ablation of HSIL in theatre.
25. The ANP will order investigations (e.g. x rays, CT scans, blood tests) and interpret results and escalate concerns and abnormalities as appropriate to the SpR/Consultant/Outreach teams.
26. To provide support and advice to nursing, medical and allied health professional therapy staff in relation to the management of the CANS patient.
27. To provide support and advice to patients and their carers relating to their condition, its management and surgical procedures.
28. Participates in the pre-admission services alongside the Pre-Admission Clinic Nurse where required, and take responsibility for organising, undertaking and interpreting investigations as appropriate to ensure patients are fit as possible for theatre
29. To liaise with ward Sisters / Charge Nurse administrative staff, and other members of the MDT to optimise the smooth transition of surgical patients through the surgical pathway to discharge home. Liaise with surgical patients medical team and ensure that Consultant Medical team aware of any major change / problems regarding their patients.
30. The ANP will be expected to play a lead role in the organization and running of the diagnostic service. This entails triage of referrals, running the diagnostic clinic with the consultant staff, covering the resultant telephone follow-up clinic, and allied major and minor operating lists.
31. Following protocol, ensure through good practice that patient care initiatives are improved and sustained. Act as a resource for expert advice to patients, relatives/carers and staff.
32. To lead the provision of care in accordance with the Trust Policies reflecting current trends and developments in practice and the NHS.
33. To comply with and participate in the Trusts framework for Clinical Governance within the Department area.
34. Under the supervision of the Lead Nurse for Clinical Nurse Specialist Services be motivated in setting goals and benchmarking standards of care.
35. Develop tools to improve the quality of the service and co-ordinate clinical services across the Department, including the anal screening programme for high-risk women.
36. Maintaining and updating Intermediate or Advanced Life Support qualification.
37. Ensure that documentation is maintained to the Trust standard (including electronic records)
38. To actively promote a healthy lifestyle for patients & staff appreciating national strategy requirements.
39. Prescribe medication within set patient group protocols and current legislation. Develop patient group directives in the administration of patients medication for the use of other staff where appropriate
40. Assist in the patients safe transition from hospital into the community with effective discharge planning. Liaises with other members of the multidisciplinary team to achieve safe and efficient discharge.
41. Contribute to outpatient clinics, initially in a supernumerary capacity, with the intention of developing an appropriate nurse-led clinic
42. Attend weekly meeting with the MDT co-ordinators, performance team and CBU management to review patients on a cancer pathway and ensure patients are seen within the expected time frames set out by cancer wait time targets.
43. To support the CANS team with development of new diagnostic pathways and clinical triage models.
44. To be involved with the management and triage of patients within the two-week rule pathway
For full duties please see attached JD & PS
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications Essential
Registered Nurse Evidence of on-going professional development Qualification in oncology or relevant speciality Advanced Physical Assessment course or equivalent Recognised Teaching/mentorship qualification Masters degree related to area of work or working towards
Desirable
General leadership and management skills Experience in research and audit Leadership qualification or working towards Experience in HPV related anogenital cancers and pre-cancers IT skills
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 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Chelsea and Westminster
369 Fulham Road
London
SW10 9NH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)