Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Lead Upper GI Cancer Nurse Specialist (CNS) to provide expert clinical leadership across the Upper GI cancer pathway. Thisrole is pivotal in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care and in driving service development in line with national cancer priorities.
The post holder will lead and coordinate the Upper GI CNS service, ensuring consistent, evidence-based practice and an excellent experience for patients and families from diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care. Working as a senior autonomous practitioner, the Lead CNS will act as a key clinical resource within the multidisciplinary team (MDT), influencing decision-making and pathway design.
The role combines advanced clinical practice, professional leadership, and service improvement, including responsibility for mentoring and developing CNS colleagues, supporting audit and research activity, and contributing to cancer performance and quality standards.
This is an exciting opportunity for a senior cancer nurse to shape and strengthen Upper GI cancer services, improve outcomes and experiences for patients, and play a strategic role within the wider cancer team and organisation.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the UGI team, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement
- Ensure safe, effective, and timely delivery of UGI services, including diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up
- Monitor performance, manage resources, and contribute to service redesign and transformation
- Act as a clinical expert and role model, supporting staff development and patient advocacy
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to enhance service integration and patient outcomes
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please view job description attached to view main responsibilities and duties of role.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please view job description attached to view main responsibilities and duties of role.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- oRegistered nurse educated to Masters level or equivalent
- oPost registration qualification in appropriate speciality
- oEvidence of continuous professional development
- oTeaching qualification (998) / PG Certificate in Medical Education or equivalent
- oAdvanced communication skills/counselling qualification, or willingness to undertake within one year
Desirable
- oResearch module
- oNurse Prescriber
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- oSignificant relevant experience in upper GI/Surgery/HPB speciality
- oAbility to demonstrate expert nursing skills
- oAccept personal accountability for own practice
- oExperience of formal/informal teaching
- oExperience of initiating change
Skills and abilities
Essential
- oGood verbal and written communication skills
- oCapable of working as an integral member of a small team
- oFlexible and adaptable to changing situations due to work load and colleagues needs
- oAbility to undertake teaching of staff and patient
- oLeadership skills
- oAbility to lead developments in practice
- oEffective interpersonal skills
- oAbility to quickly appraise situations and act accordingly
- oAbility to motivate and develop staff
Personal qualities
Essential
- oTo act in a professional manner at all times in accordance with the NMC code of conduct
- oCapable of developing liaisons with other practice areas/academic institution
- Ambitious
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- oRegistered nurse educated to Masters level or equivalent
- oPost registration qualification in appropriate speciality
- oEvidence of continuous professional development
- oTeaching qualification (998) / PG Certificate in Medical Education or equivalent
- oAdvanced communication skills/counselling qualification, or willingness to undertake within one year
Desirable
- oResearch module
- oNurse Prescriber
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- oSignificant relevant experience in upper GI/Surgery/HPB speciality
- oAbility to demonstrate expert nursing skills
- oAccept personal accountability for own practice
- oExperience of formal/informal teaching
- oExperience of initiating change
Skills and abilities
Essential
- oGood verbal and written communication skills
- oCapable of working as an integral member of a small team
- oFlexible and adaptable to changing situations due to work load and colleagues needs
- oAbility to undertake teaching of staff and patient
- oLeadership skills
- oAbility to lead developments in practice
- oEffective interpersonal skills
- oAbility to quickly appraise situations and act accordingly
- oAbility to motivate and develop staff
Personal qualities
Essential
- oTo act in a professional manner at all times in accordance with the NMC code of conduct
- oCapable of developing liaisons with other practice areas/academic institution
- Ambitious
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Employer's website
https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
