FDS Nurse Specialist for Head & Neck

FDS Nurse Specialist for Head & Neck

Closing date: 12 June 2026

Job overview

The post holder will be responsible for the clinical triage of urgent suspected Head & Neck cancer referrals, ensuring timely, appropriate allocation to diagnostic pathways in line with national guidance and local protocols. The role includes authorising and coordinating diagnostic investigations, leading independent nurse‑led virtual clinics, and providing expert clinical advice.

Responsibilities

• Clinical triage of urgent suspected Head & Neck cancer referrals, evaluating referral quality, clinical risk and urgency.
• Authorise and coordinate diagnostic investigations, working collaboratively with diagnostic services to optimise capacity and prevent delays.
• Lead and undertake independent nurse‑led virtual clinics, providing clinical assessment, review of results and onward pathway planning.
• Provide expert clinical advice on Head & Neck cancer diagnostics, referral management and safety netting.
• Support complex clinical decision making and pathway escalation to minimise diagnostic delay.
• Promote a patient‑centred, equitable approach throughout the diagnostic process.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current NMC registration.
• Leadership course completed.
• Degree‑level qualification in Nursing or equivalent professional qualification.
• Postgraduate study or equivalent experience in cancer care, leadership, advanced clinical practice, service improvement.
• Ongoing commitment to CPD.
• Recognised qualification or formal training in cancer care/oncology nursing, coaching, mentoring or clinical supervision.
• Training related to early cancer diagnosis or diagnostic pathways.
• Qualification in quality improvement or change management.
• Masters degree (or working towards) in a relevant subject such as Cancer Nursing, Advanced Clinical Practice, Leadership/Management, Health Service Improvement.

Experience

• Significant postregistration experience in cancer nursing, diagnostic pathways or Head & Neck services.
• Experience at Band 7 or equivalent senior level.
• Experience managing or influencing cancer pathways, ideally from referral to diagnosis.
• Experience delivering or supporting compliance with national cancer standards, including the Faster Diagnosis Standard.
• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience managing complex clinical and operational issues in a high‑pressure environment.
• Professional leadership, supervision or support of nursing or pathway staff.
• Education, coaching or mentoring of clinical staff.
• Involvement in early cancer diagnosis initiatives such as straight‑to‑test or one‑stop clinics.
• Involvement in performance management, audit, or assurance reporting related to cancer services.
• Working across organisational or system boundaries, including Cancer Alliance or COS settings.
• Service improvement, pathway redesign or change management using data to drive improvement.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosures and Barring Service check.

Equal opportunities

As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Employer

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

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