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Job summary

Main area
Head and Neck
Grade
Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week (Full Time or Part Time / Flexible working hours may be considered)
Job ref
180-D-CVA974-RE
Employer
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Addenbrookes Hospital-Division D
Town
Cambridge
Salary
£49,387 - £56,515 pa pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
23/09/2026 23:59
Interview date
13/10/2026

Employer heading

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Head and Neck Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist

Band 7

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced ENT nurse with an interest in providing advanced nursing support within the Head & Neck Cancer specialist nursing team in the inpatient and outpatient settings, with a particular focus on the surgical aspect of the patient pathway

You will be involved in and carry out holistic nursing assessments for patients under the Head and Neck multi-disciplinary team (ENT, Thyroid , MaxFax and Oncology[TE1] ). You will work actively within the multidisciplinary team and outside agencies to deliver the patient’s clinical and psychological support during their treatment. You will be expected to attend consultations in breaking bad news to support the patient, their loved ones and families

You will have a good understanding of:

  • Current treatments used in Head and Neck cancer including major/life changing surgery and robotic surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and the symptoms and side effects that may be experienced on or after treatment
  • The effects of Head and Neck cancers and their treatments on breathing, swallowing, communication, vision and body image
  • Support requirements for patients with an altered anatomy and airway e.g. laryngectomy and total glossectomy
  • Knowledge of Survivorship, Recovery package & the specialist needs of Teenage and Young Adult patients
  • Complex end of life care[TE2] 
  • The role of genomics in modern cancer management, for instance identifying and consenting patients for Whole Genome Sequencing

Main duties of the job

  • The post holder is a recognised expert in head and neck cancer, responsible for assessing, developing and implementing specialist nursing care programmes and undertaking specialist nursing procedures. This includes provision of nurse led clinics for both new and return patients.
  • Responsible for providing specialist advice and support to, and liaising with, other staff. This includes the provision of specialist education and training for other staff and students
  • Responsible for implementing a clearly defined integrated approach to patient care encompassing new treatments and evidence based care
  • Required to undertake research and lead clinical audits in own specialist area

Working for our organisation

Come Nurse with us…

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the country. It comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. We provide accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge and regional and national specialist services. It’s a great place to nurse, work and live. 

You will work on a vibrant hospital campus with a friendly community feel; we have excellent facilities to practise your skills and abilities to support your career pathway and development. Our values of Together – Safe, Kind, Excellent support the delivery of outstanding care. We have a fully electronic patient record system that is improving health-care quality; this is transforming services, improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?

• Our values and reputation for outstanding care
• Opportunities to experience a range of specialities
• Career and development opportunities
• Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team
• Research experience and opportunities
• Lovely location and quality of life
• Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

This post is subject to a 12-week probationary period, during which performance, conduct and   attendance will be reviewed in line with Trust standards. The probationary period provides a structured and supportive approach to help new employees successfully transition into their role.

 

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:
-    applied for a Graduate visa
-    or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment

 All roles in the Trust include a mandatory 12-week training period. Therefore, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 23rd September 2026

Interviews are due to be held in 13th October 2026

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Registered Nurse educated to Degree level or willingness to undertake
  • Post registration qualification in speciality
  • Evidence of continuous professional development.
  • Teaching qualification.
  • Advanced communication skills/counselling qualification or willingness to undertake
  • Advanced clinical assessment
Desirable criteria
  • Research Module.
  • Masters Degree

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Significant relevant experience in the Specialty and ability to demonstrate expert nursing skills.
  • Accept personal accountability for own practice.
  • Experience of formal/informal teaching.
  • Experience of initiating change

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Understanding of evidence-based practice.
  • Understanding of Clinical Governance.
  • Understand of patient pathways its complexities and how to support the patient through this

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Good verbal and written communication skills.
  • Capable of working as an integral member of a small team.
  • Flexible and adaptable to changing situations due workload and colleagues’ needs.
  • Ability to undertake teaching of staff and patients.
  • Leadership Skills.
  • Ability to work unsupervised and manage own workload; effective time-management.
  • Effective interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to lead developments in practice.
  • Commitment to multidisciplinary working.
  • Demonstrate analytical and judgmental skills.
  • Ability to quickly appraise situation and act accordingly
Desirable criteria
  • Advanced Communication Skills.

Additional Requirements

Essential criteria
  • To act in a professional manner at all times in accordance with NMC Code of Conduct.
  • Capable of developing liaisons with other practice areas/academic institutions.
  • The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of broader issues related to specialty – political and Trust.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDVeteran AwareNo smoking policyDisability confident leaderArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Age-Friendly Employer PledgeCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.We offer Wagestream - A financial wellbeing benefit which lets you access your pay as you earn it.NHS Rainbow badgeTime to changeStep into healthApprenticeships Top 100 Employers 2024

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Karen Atkinson
Job title
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01223 217425
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