Senior SACT Nurse

Job responsibilities

Job Description Senior SACT Nurse

Role Summary: As the Senior SACT Nurse, you are responsible for delivering chemotherapy nursing services to patients within the unit, while providing leadership and clinical support to the nursing team. You will also deputise for the Lead SACT Nurse when required.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

Clinical Care:

• Deliver systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) in accordance with national and local protocols.

• Provide specialist nursing advice and support to patients, families and healthcare professionals throughout the patient pathway.

• Ensure continuity of high-quality, evidence-based care through accurate assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation.

• Manage a patient caseload and run nurse-led clinics.

• Liaise closely with consultants and wider MDTs.

• Order appropriate diagnostic tests within agreed parameters.

• Work autonomously while maintaining clinical leadership and governance.

• Maintain clear documentation of all assessments, care plans and communications.

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge in intravenous access, venepuncture, central venous catheter management, and chemotherapy delivery.

• Provide emergency care, including anaphylaxis management and Advanced Life Support.

Leadership and Support:

• Support the Lead SACT Nurse and deputise where appropriate.

• Rotate into the 24-hour on-call team, providing out-of-hours patient triage.

• Promote a culture of compassionate care and safety.

• Mentor and develop junior team members, including supporting chemotherapy training.

• Provide peer support and supervise competency assessments for staff.

Service Development and Quality:

• Contribute to audit, research and development of clinical protocols.

• Participate in the evaluation and continuous improvement of nursing practice.

• Lead on quality initiatives and support service improvement projects.

• Ensure all care is delivered in accordance with clinical governance frameworks.

• Support patients with informed consent and provide written information on treatment plans.

Education and Training:

• Deliver or support education sessions for patients, carers and staff.

• Identify knowledge gaps and ensure appropriate training is delivered.

• Promote nursing research and evidence-based practice across the team.

• Contribute to internal training programmes and induction of new team members.

Professional Responsibilities:

• Maintain your own professional development in line with NMC requirements and GenesisCare expectations.

• Participate in clinical supervision, annual appraisal and peer review.

• Uphold the NMC Code of Conduct and ensure accountability for all clinical decisions.

• Maintain accurate records and support data collection and reporting as required.

• Adhere to infection control procedures and quality assurance measures.

Reporting Lines:

You report directly to the Lead SACT Nurse. You have no direct reports, though you will mentor and support junior staff. Reporting lines may change in line with service requirements.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal:

• Centre Leader

• Chemotherapy Nurses, Pharmacists, Consultants, Radiographers

• Outpatient Nurses, Chief Nurse, Head of Clinical Governance

External:

• Other healthcare providers, NHS partners, third-party stakeholders

Experience and Skills:

• Team player with excellent communication and organisational skills

• Advanced IV drug administration and venous access skills

• Experience in chemotherapy administration

• Ability to work flexibly, including participation in shift patterns and on-call rota

• Proven ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively

• Competence in blood transfusion and bone marrow biopsies (desirable)

• Experience within oncology or specialist care settings

Qualifications and Knowledge:

• Registered Nurse (NMC)

• Chemotherapy qualification or willingness to undertake one within agreed timescale

• UKONS SACT Passport (or to be completed within 3 months of appointment)

• Fully trained in venepuncture and cannulation

• Knowledge of central venous access devices

• Trained in oncology telephone triage and neutropenic sepsis management

• Understanding of quality standards, infection control and clinical trials (desirable)

• Evidence of continued professional development

Knowledge & Skills – Essential

Essential

• Excellent clinical assessment and decision-making skills
• Advanced knowledge in the management of central venous access devices
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Able to demonstrate safe practice in the recognition and management of neutropenic sepsis
• Competence in providing telephone triage support
• Commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous improvement
• Ability to prioritise and organise workload independently
• Awareness of infection prevention and control procedures
• Basic IT skills, including use of electronic patient records

Desirable

• Understanding of clinical trials and governance in oncology care
• Knowledge of national cancer standards and pathways

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (NMC registration)
• UKONS SACT Passport (or willingness to complete within 3 months of appointment)
• Qualified in venepuncture and cannulation
• Evidence of continuing professional development in oncology or chemotherapy nursing
• Willingness to undertake/working towards a recognised chemotherapy qualification

Desirable

• Advanced life support (ALS) certification
• Mentorship qualification or equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years post-registration nursing experience in oncology or a related specialty
• Demonstrable experience in intravenous drug administration
• Proven experience in chemotherapy administration
• Experience managing a patient caseload
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and in complex clinical situations

Desirable

• Experience in blood transfusion and bone marrow biopsy procedures
• Previous experience supervising or mentoring junior staff
• Experience working in private healthcare or outpatient oncology services

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).