Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

We are looking for a passionate and committed individual to join our Specialist Colorectal Nursing Team. This exciting opportunity is ideal for an experienced nurse with strong expertise in colorectal and cancer nursing.

As part of this role, you will collaborate closely with colorectal surgeons and the B7 Stoma Care CNS. You will also have responsibility for line managing the B6 Junior Colorectal CNS and two B6 STT Nurses.

We are seeking someone who is dedicated to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care and is eager to foster clinical excellence. As a Colorectal CNS, you will support patients diagnosed with bowel cancer throughout their journey, from diagnosis to treatment, while actively contributing to the ongoing development of the colorectal service. You will provide expert nursing care in both inpatient and outpatient settings, serving as a key resource for the team. Additionally, you will oversee the stoma care service, particularly when the B7 Stoma Care CNS is on leave, and offer support to the B6 Stoma Care Nurse Specialist.

This role is challenging and rewarding, requiring a proactive, self-motivated individual capable of managing complex care pathways. You will ensure the highest standards of care and service delivery for all patients. Strong communication skills, the ability to manage your workload effectively, and excellent problem-solving abilities are essential. You should also be an excellent team player who can work autonomously when required.

Main duties of the job

• Effectively manage a caseload of patients following established protocols and care pathways.
• Provide specialist nursing advice, clinical assessment, and support to patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals from diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up pathways, including onward referral for end-of-life care if applicable.
• Offer cancer follow-up and surveillance services for colorectal cancer patients.
• Provide comprehensive support to patients and their families, addressing clinical, emotional, psychological, and social needs.
• Provide assistance/leadership across all Colorectal services as needed (STT, 2WW, Benign and Cancer Colorectal, Stoma care, Cancer Surveillance).
• Line manage nursing staff within the lines of the remit of the role.
• Be an integral part of the established cancer team and specialist MDT, acting as a patient advocate and expert colorectal cancer nurse, coordinating patient care, and maintaining excellent communication for coordinated care.
• Play a key role in developing nursing expertise in colorectal cancer to improve patient experiences, ensuring a high standard of evidence-based nursing care.
• Develop a proactive role in health promotion to increase awareness of colorectal cancer among professionals and the public.
• Educate nursing, medical, and other staff about colorectal cancer management, serving as a resource.
• Conduct audits and service evaluations.
• Develop nurse-led services as required.

About us

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond. We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has attained the highest possible rating of "Outstanding" from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients. In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard's Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home.

Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times. We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly.

Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well-regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits.

Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.

Job responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s on this page.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

• Degree level education.
• Post registration education in relevant specialty.
• Advanced assessment skills.
• Advanced communication skills course or equivalent.
• Master's degree or working towards.

Trust Values, Equal Opportunities & Other Requirements

• Understanding and demonstration of the Trust Values.

Skills/ Abilities

• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Ability to think forward and respond to challenges in a proactive way.
• Good written & verbal communications skills in the English language.
• Established organisational and leadership skills.
• Level 2 psychological skills.
• Radiology non-medical referrer training.
• Research/audit skills.

Experience

• Working with patients with colorectal disease.
• Nurse led clinics.
• Work at band 7 level.

Knowledge

• Good understanding of colorectal cancer pathways.
• Suspected lower GI cancer pathways.
• Knowledge of colorectal cancer oncology treatments.

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.