Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Skin FDS Clinical Nurse Specialist

The closing date is 21 September 2025

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a enthusiastic and passionate Faster Diagnosis Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) to join our team on a one-year fixed-term contract. This role plays a pivotal part in streamlining the diagnostic process for patients referred under the cancer pathway. The successful candidate will provide specialist clinical leadership, ensure timely diagnostics in compliance with Faster Diagnosis Standards (FDS), and offer tailored care and emotional support. This role is integral in enhancing patient experience, minimising delays, and improving clinical outcomes through collaboration, education, and quality improvement initiatives within QVH and externally.

The FDS CNS plays a vital role within the skin cancer care pathway, ensuring patients referred with suspected cancer are supported through timely, efficient, and patient-centred diagnostic processes. Acting as a key liaison between patients, multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), and external agencies, the FDS Nurse ensures that national Faster Diagnosis Standards are met, particularly the 28-day diagnostic target. The role encompasses clinical leadership, pathway coordination, and the provision of tailored emotional and practical support, enhancing both patient outcomes and experience.

Main duties of the job

Clinical Duties

Provide specialist, holistic, and compassionate care to patients and families throughout their diagnostic pathway.
Act as a key contact and advocate for patients, particularly those who are vulnerable or experiencing delays.
Conduct thorough patient assessments, triage referrals, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and escalate concerns appropriately.
Communicate results and care plans clearly to patients and the multidisciplinary team (MDT).
Use expert clinical judgment to identify red flags and tailor care pathways to individual needs.
Promote shared decision-making and patient empowerment.
Collaborate across internal and external services to ensure seamless and timely diagnostic care.
Engage in clinical audits, research, and service improvement to enhance outcomes.

Education & Training

Act as a specialist resource and educator for staff, patients and families.
Develop and deliver training for staff and produce patient education materials.
Mentor students and new staff members.
Promote health education and professional development within the team.

Managerial Responsibilities

Lead and improve 28 FDS pathways and services.
Participate in MDT meetings, focusing on patient-centred decision-making.
Work with external partners to enhance referral processes and service delivery.
Drive pathway redesign and service development initiatives.

About us

Rated GOOD overall with outstanding care by the CQC. A specialist NHS hospital providing life-changing reconstructive surgery, burns care and rehabilitation services across the South of England and beyond.

We specialise in conditions of the eyes (corneoplastics), hands, head and neck cancer and skin cancer, reconstructive breast surgery, maxillofacial surgery and prosthetics, providing regional and national services in these areas of clinical expertise. Our world-leading clinical teams also treat more common conditions of the eyes, hands, skin, and teeth for the people of East Grinstead and the surrounding areas. In addition, QVH provides a minor injuries unit, expert therapies, a sleep service, and a growing portfolio of community-based services. Patients consistently rate QVH amongst the top hospitals in the country for quality of care.

Our success is underpinned by the skills and enthusiasm of our staff and a strong culture of partnership. We are fully committed to training and development of the workforce with support for continuing education and learning.

Date posted

09 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

276-7362129-AfC

Job locations

Queen Victoria Hospital

Holtye Road

East Grinstead

RH19 3DZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

Provide specialist support to patients and their families /carers empowering them to participate in their treatment and rehabilitation.

Act as a primary point of contact, delivering seamless, compassionate care and providing reassurance throughout the diagnostic pathway.

Foster strong relationships with patients, families, and caregivers, addressing concerns and anxieties related to cancer diagnostics.

Advocate for patients during delays or disruptions in their diagnostic pathway, particularly for vulnerable patient groups.

Conduct specialist patient-centred discussions about diagnostic tests, results, and next steps, ensuring understanding and alleviating concerns.

Develop and maintain effective communication with patients, ensuring they are informed of any changes in their pathway.

Provide holistic care, including emotional and psychosocial support.

As a specialist nurse promote collaborative working relationships within the multidisciplinary team, with a patient centred focus.

Conduct clinical assessments, triage referrals, and prioritise diagnostic investigations.

Use specialist clinical judgment to identify potential red flags or areas of concern.

Interpret diagnostic results and ensure timely communication of findings to patients and the MDT.

Screen urgent suspected cancer referrals and assign appropriate diagnostic pathways.

Undertake comprehensive patient assessments, including history-taking and clinical examinations.

Order and monitor diagnostic tests in line with clinical guidelines.

Identify delays in the diagnostic process and implement solutions to minimise their impact and improve the referral process internally and externally for all services.

Undertake comprehensive patient assessments, including history-taking and clinical examinations, ordering diagnostic tests within clinical guidelines when required.

Assess, develop and implement specialist care pathways tailored to individual patients holistic needs, service improvement and needs.

Provide specialist advice to patients about diagnostic tests, results, and potential treatment options.

Engage with external agencies to coordinate care for complex specialist cases and update care pathways as and when required.

Promote shared decision-making and empower patients to take an active role in their care.

Apply up-to-date evidence and clinical guidelines to deliver specialist high-quality care using evidence based approaches, developing further pathways or protocols as required.

Support and participate in research and audits to improve patient outcomes and assess compliance with national standards.

Engage in research projects, such as clinical trials or service evaluations, to contribute to evidence-based improvements developing specialised programmes of care for skin patients.

Analyse patient outcome data to inform and refine diagnostic processes.

The post holder operates with a high level of independence and clinical autonomy making independent clinical judgements, initiating investigations and improving and leading service delivery.

Education and training

Act as a specialist resource for staff education, sharing expertise and promoting professional development.

Provide education and health promotion to staff, patients and families in the speciality of skin cancer.

Develop and implement training sessions for colleagues on diagnostic standards, pathways, and patient care.

Provide patients with clear, accessible information about their diagnosis and care options.

Contribute to the mentorship of students and new staff to the Trust.

Develop educational materials for patients, such as leaflets or digital resources, to improve understanding and self-management.

Managerial

Drive service development and pathway design, implementing action plans to address pathway delays and timely access to diagnostics, both internally and externally.

Lead discussions during MDT meetings to ensure diagnostic and clinical decisions are patient-centred.

Collaborate with other NHS providers to determine service improvements for the skin service at QVH and primary care, local dermatology services and all that refer into the skin service and the wider Macmillan team.

Collaborate with all operational teams to meet KPIs, such as the 28-day FDS target.

Actively contribute to pathway improvement projects, such as reducing waiting times or streamlining referrals.

Financial/ physical resources responsibilities

To ensure all chargeable episodes are appropriately documented.

To use resources in a cost effective and responsible manner.

Personal and Professional Development

Act in accordance with the NMC Code at all times, maintain clinical expertise and knowledge and professional revalidation.

Contribute to the achievement of corporate nursing objectives, participating in organisational and professional activities as appropriate.

Maintain strict confidentiality with regard to patient information.

Adhere to all trust policies and procedures.

Participate in the Trusts annual appraisal system designed to identify objectives and personal development opportunities.

Participate in the Trusts annual pay progression review (if applicable).

Ensure that all mandatory training is up to date

Engage in continuous professional development to maintain advanced clinical skills.

General

To undertake any other reasonable duties, responsibilities or projects as requested commensurate with the post holders skills, knowledge and experience.