University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Deputy Unit Manager

The closing date is 23 February 2026

Job summary

We would like to recruit an enthusiastic and skilled SACT nurse to the position of Senior Staff Nurse/ Deputy Sister to join us in Chichester at St Richard's Hospital, University Hospitals Sussex in our cancer day centre- the Fernhurst Unit.

The Deputy Sister will be a member of our multi-disciplinary team providing skilled care and specialist knowledge to oncology/ haematology patients and their families / partners /friends undertaking SACT at St Richard's Hospital, UHSussex.

The successful candidate will provide clinical excellence and leadership in caring for patients receiving SACT. The post holder will be able to identify the specific needs of our patients and provide information, support and specialist expertise to enable nursing staff and the patients/carers to understand and cope with diagnosis and treatment.

The post holder will assist the Unit Manager on the Fernhurst Unit in maintaining the effective management of staff. They will help oversee Unit safety and availability of the resources necessary for providing a high standard of patient care and smooth running of the service.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.

Main duties of the job

Management and coordination of a clinical area on the SACT unit.
Administer SACT and IV drugs as part of nurse led SACT service.
Provide highly complex information to patients / carers about all aspects of the cancer disease process (diagnosis, prognosis, symptom management and when treatment fails).
Have highly developed knowledge of the drugs administered for the treatment of cancer and the potential complications and side effects of these drugs.
During administration of treatments provide highly skilled nursing care to ensure patient safety. This includes the immediate management of acute reactions and potential complications during drug administration, for example the extravasation of chemotherapy.
Demonstrate highly developed skills in cannulation and venepuncture skills with appropriate training.
The post-holder will have excellent communication skills in order to work successfully within a multi-disciplinary team. This extends to communication and expertise required for screening and appropriately sign-posting telephone triage calls for SACT patients.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.Candidate Pack

Date posted

09 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

279-7744686-FEB26

Job locations

St Richard's Hospital

Spitalfield Road

Chichester

PO10 5QZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Work unsupervised providing nursing care as part of the multi-disciplinary team to patients on the Unit - Communicating with, and referring to other healthcare professionals as necessary.
Deliver a high standard of individualised holistic patient care to promote and maintain all aspects of his / her physical, social, cultural and psychological well-being.
Provide highly complex information to patients / carers about all aspects of treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, venous access devices, side effects management). Using the highest level of communication and interpersonal skills and ensuring that the information is in easily understood language.
Act as a role model and ensure effective staff supervision with clinical practice, working with staff and patients in an advisory, teaching and support capacity and maintaining professional competence, authority and credibility.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Work unsupervised providing nursing care as part of the multi-disciplinary team to patients on the Unit - Communicating with, and referring to other healthcare professionals as necessary.
Deliver a high standard of individualised holistic patient care to promote and maintain all aspects of his / her physical, social, cultural and psychological well-being.
Provide highly complex information to patients / carers about all aspects of treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, venous access devices, side effects management). Using the highest level of communication and interpersonal skills and ensuring that the information is in easily understood language.
Act as a role model and ensure effective staff supervision with clinical practice, working with staff and patients in an advisory, teaching and support capacity and maintaining professional competence, authority and credibility.

Person Specification

Essential

NMC registered
SACT Qualification
Experience in supervising and educating junior staff
Excellent Communication skills
Evidence of service improvement
Experience in haemato-oncology work in a day unit setting

Desirable

Leadership Course
Physical assessment course
Advanced Communication course
Psychological therapies L2
Broad based cancer work experience
Acute medical experience

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Person Specification

Essential

NMC registered
SACT Qualification
Experience in supervising and educating junior staff
Excellent Communication skills
Evidence of service improvement
Experience in haemato-oncology work in a day unit setting

Desirable

Leadership Course
Physical assessment course
Advanced Communication course
Psychological therapies L2
Broad based cancer work experience
Acute medical experience

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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.

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

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

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St Richard's Hospital

Spitalfield Road

Chichester

PO10 5QZ

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St Richard's Hospital

Spitalfield Road

Chichester

PO10 5QZ

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)