East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

HCC Surveillance Clinical Nurse Specialist

The closing date is 23 October 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a HCC Surveillance Clinical Nurse Specialist at Colchester General Hospital. You will work with a dedicated project administrator to set up and deliver the Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) surveillance programme at Colchester Hospital. Primary liver cancer is the eighth most common cause of cancer death in the UK accounting for 3% of cancer related mortality (Cancer Research, UK). Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer and presents in patients with cirrhosis. The dominant risk factors include cirrhosis caused by alcohol or viral hepatitis, and metabolic or fatty liver disease. The aim of the program is early detection of HCC and effective management of liver disease to enhance patient outcomes and provide potentially life-saving interventions. The Hepatology Surveillance Nurse will work as part of a multi professional team to deliver the HCC surveillance standards set out by NHS England (NHSE). This program will support patients with stable, compensated liver cirrhosis who are at risk of developing HCC in the outpatient setting, to ensure an efficient, co-ordinated and streamlined service is provided to patients. This role is currently Fixed Term/Secondment until 31 March 2026

Main duties of the job

Set up and deliver nurse-led HCC surveillance clinics for patients with stable cirrhosis and other conditions that put them at risk of HCC.
Request and review appropriate clinical investigations (i.e. ultrasound scans and bloods), interpreting the findings and ensuring that abnormalities are appropriately managed and escalated to the relevant clinician.
Provide up to date and evidence based advice, information and support to patients that are enrolled on the HCC surveillance pathway.
Manage patients within the HCC surveillance pathway in accordance with NICE guidance, BSG guidelines and NHS England standards.
Utilise clinical skills, i.e. phlebotomy, to ensure that care is delivered in an efficient manner.
To provide care and advice that is within the scope of the HCC surveillance service, recognising that management of the patient's long term condition is not a part of this service.

About us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Date posted

10 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

5 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

432-HR770-25

Job locations

Colchester General Hospital

Colchester

CO4 5JL

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Extensive post registration experience of caring for hepatology patients/ in cancer care, with the ability to demonstrate utilisation and facilitation of evidence-based practice
Teaching and providing advice to patients and other health professionals
Using advanced communication skills to deal with emotional issues and provide support to patients and carers, including the delivery of bad news

Desirable

Undertaking audit and the planning/ implementation of research
Working autonomously and managing a patient caseload in the outpatient setting
Interpretation of clinical investigations, including diagnostic imaging and blood results
Setting up and delivering a new clinical service, providing feedback and data to relevant stakeholders
Active participation in clinical governance processes

Qualifications

Essential

NMC Registration
Relevant degree level study
Mentorship qualification

Desirable

Relevant post-registration education in Gastroenterology or Hepatology
Masters level study in a health related subject
Advanced communication skills course
Leadership qualification

Knowledge

Essential

Working knowledge of liver disease management, including relevant diagnostic investigations and further management
Working knowledge of the national standards for HCC surveillance
Knowledge of NHS cancer pathways and targets

Desirable

Working knowledge of clinical investigations related to Gastroenterology, including diagnostic imaging and blood results

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Extensive post registration experience of caring for hepatology patients/ in cancer care, with the ability to demonstrate utilisation and facilitation of evidence-based practice
Teaching and providing advice to patients and other health professionals
Using advanced communication skills to deal with emotional issues and provide support to patients and carers, including the delivery of bad news

Desirable

Undertaking audit and the planning/ implementation of research
Working autonomously and managing a patient caseload in the outpatient setting
Interpretation of clinical investigations, including diagnostic imaging and blood results
Setting up and delivering a new clinical service, providing feedback and data to relevant stakeholders
Active participation in clinical governance processes

Qualifications

Essential

NMC Registration
Relevant degree level study
Mentorship qualification

Desirable

Relevant post-registration education in Gastroenterology or Hepatology
Masters level study in a health related subject
Advanced communication skills course
Leadership qualification

Knowledge

Essential

Working knowledge of liver disease management, including relevant diagnostic investigations and further management
Working knowledge of the national standards for HCC surveillance
Knowledge of NHS cancer pathways and targets

Desirable

Working knowledge of clinical investigations related to Gastroenterology, including diagnostic imaging and blood results

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

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Colchester General Hospital

Colchester

CO4 5JL

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Colchester General Hospital

Colchester

CO4 5JL

Employer's website

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