Job summary
We are seeking an experienced, forward-thinking healthcare professional to lead an innovative 24-month project focused on improving care for patients living with oncological frailty. Building on the 2022 Royal College of Radiologists' findings, this role will pioneer a stratified approach to frailty in oncology--using a multi-functional toolkit early in the patient pathway, and ensuring timely access to specialist review and targeted services.
This is a unique opportunity to enhance your leadership skills, shape future oncology pathways, and make a tangible difference in patient outcomes. You will receive a detailed induction, ongoing mentorship, and access to specialist oncology and frailty training--while drawing on your existing healthcare expertise to innovate, influence, and inspire.
Working hours will fall between 08.30 and 18.00 Mon - Friday with no unsociable hours. The post will be based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, with an expectation of support across UHSx.
Please note that if you currently work for another NHS Trust or UHSussex and you are applying to accept this position as a secondment opportunity, before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current Trust/Manager. Secondments can't be agreed without this approval. If you are unable to gain approval you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will demonstrate compassionate, inclusive, visible and authoritative senior professional and specialist clinical leadership within the Onco-frailty Project Team and across the Cancer Division.
The post holder will provide an accessible expert resource in onco-frailty to all disciplines of health care staff within the Cancer Division. In addition they will act as an identified resource for information and advice to staff from other health and social care settings including the community nursing service. They will provide educational materials and face to face teaching for all levels of health worker within UHSx surrounding aspects of the management of frail cancer patients.
Uphold and display the Trust values of Commitment, Care & Quality.
About us
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme,for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop.We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Job description
Job responsibilities
As part of the Oncological Frailty Project Leadership Team, you will combine advanced clinical expertise with strategic project leadership. You will:
Deliver high-quality clinical reviews for frail patients planning to and/or undergoing systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT) and radiotherapyboth in the Cancer Centre and ambulatory assessment units.
Develop and implement new ambulatory pathways to prevent unnecessary admissions and reduce emergency department attendances for onco-frail patients, linked to the new supportive oncology pathways.
Drive service innovation by improving patient selection for oncological interventions, optimising physical condition before and during treatment, and enhancing personalised care.
Provide expert guidance to the multidisciplinary team members (MDT) acting as a resource on oncological frailty.
Lead and deliver education programmes to build the MDTs skills in managing oncological frailty and complex treatment toxicities.
Collaborate closely with colleagues within the Cancer division across UHSx sites to ensure consistent, high-quality care.
Please see the full job description attached.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As part of the Oncological Frailty Project Leadership Team, you will combine advanced clinical expertise with strategic project leadership. You will:
Deliver high-quality clinical reviews for frail patients planning to and/or undergoing systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT) and radiotherapyboth in the Cancer Centre and ambulatory assessment units.
Develop and implement new ambulatory pathways to prevent unnecessary admissions and reduce emergency department attendances for onco-frail patients, linked to the new supportive oncology pathways.
Drive service innovation by improving patient selection for oncological interventions, optimising physical condition before and during treatment, and enhancing personalised care.
Provide expert guidance to the multidisciplinary team members (MDT) acting as a resource on oncological frailty.
Lead and deliver education programmes to build the MDTs skills in managing oncological frailty and complex treatment toxicities.
Collaborate closely with colleagues within the Cancer division across UHSx sites to ensure consistent, high-quality care.
Please see the full job description attached.
Person Specification
Qualifiactions/Experience
Essential
- Registered Nurse/OT/Physio
- Experience at Band 7 within cancer, frailty or equivalent
- Cancer or Haematology Nursing Pathway or equivalent OR AHP's: Extensive experience working with patients with a cancer diagnosis / Haem/Onc speciality
Desirable
- Master's in advanced clinical practice skill set. [or working towards]
- Experience in Project management
- Evidence of quality improvement initiative
- Teaching experience
- Leadership qualification
Skills
Essential
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Able to communicate effectively with carers and colleagues within multidisciplinary team
- Able to communicate highly complex and sensitive information to patients, carers, other professionals, and large groups
- Able to support training of assessment of competency for Onco-Frailty
- Comprehensive knowledge of clinical and professional issues relating to nursing and midwifery / AHP's and the ability to apply these in practice
Desirable
- Teaching, assessing and presentation skills
- Specialist knowledge of Haematology/Oncology related policies and procedures both Local and National.
- Experience of writing reports and presentation skills
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Person Specification
Qualifiactions/Experience
Essential
- Registered Nurse/OT/Physio
- Experience at Band 7 within cancer, frailty or equivalent
- Cancer or Haematology Nursing Pathway or equivalent OR AHP's: Extensive experience working with patients with a cancer diagnosis / Haem/Onc speciality
Desirable
- Master's in advanced clinical practice skill set. [or working towards]
- Experience in Project management
- Evidence of quality improvement initiative
- Teaching experience
- Leadership qualification
Skills
Essential
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Able to communicate effectively with carers and colleagues within multidisciplinary team
- Able to communicate highly complex and sensitive information to patients, carers, other professionals, and large groups
- Able to support training of assessment of competency for Onco-Frailty
- Comprehensive knowledge of clinical and professional issues relating to nursing and midwifery / AHP's and the ability to apply these in practice
Desirable
- Teaching, assessing and presentation skills
- Specialist knowledge of Haematology/Oncology related policies and procedures both Local and National.
- Experience of writing reports and presentation skills
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
