Job Description

In line with the Trust's Annual Business Plan you will provide a high quality advanced expert nursing/midwifery practice and cost-effective service to patients referred on the Priority Lower GI Suspected Cancer Pathway undertaking telephone assessments, referring them for investigations and supporting them throughout the process whilst ensuring that cancer waiting time targets are met.

The Division aims to provide an environment conducive to the on-going development of all staff and advancements in the quality of the service by ensuring provision of a high standard of training, teaching and clinical care within the acute/community setting.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will be an advanced and experienced practitioner within their speciality.

The role of Clinical Nurse Specialist requires a high degree of personal professional autonomy and making clinical judgements. Taking sole and joint responsibility for the patient and clinical decisions relating to their care based on assessment, planning and implementation of care to ensure a successful patient based outcome within the acute/community setting.



To possess a background in colorectal or endoscopy nursing with knowledge of colorectal conditions

To possess excellent communication skills both verbal and written

To have good knowledge of the Faster Diagnosis Standards Pathway, how this works and the benefits for patients referred

Triage referrals to the Priority Lower GI Pathway to ensure they are appropriate for booking into a telephone assessment clinic

Independently undertake telephone assessment clinics reviewing patient's referrals, taking a detailed clinical history

Make a clinical decision regarding investigations based on the patient's presenting symptoms and a holistic assessment

Discuss appropriate investigations with the patient, giving the rationale for recommending these whilst taking into account the patients holistic needs

Provide support to patients, their families and carers addressing any concerns and queries with empathy and compassion

Liaise with the wider multi-disciplinary team / primary care regarding the care of the patient on the pathway

Review results of investigations and escalate findings accordingly

Action indications for further investigations as directed by Lead TAC CNS, Colorectal Nurse Consultant and Colorectal consultants

Work closely with the Priority Lower GI Lead Nurse and TAC CNS team to improve delivery of the service



Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:



Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development



Widening access (anchor institution) and employability



Improving the experience of staff with disability



Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development



Making equalities mainstream



All the following are to be carried out while working in close collaboration with members of the multi-disciplinary team led by a Consultant. To demonstrate clinical expertise within the speciality and work autonomously, managing own allocated clinics independently and seeking guidance/support when necessary.

To co-ordinate the specialty care within the Trust.

To become an essential member, and point of contact and resource for the multi-disciplinary team and patients and carers.

To demonstrate the ability to develop new skills, to provide an expert high quality, nurse-led service/midwifery-led service.

To provide ongoing care and support for patients and their carers within the Colorectal TAC CNS team

To develop the service in a structured interdisciplinary way, initiating on-going change and progression in the expanding role of a Clinical Nurse Specialist.

To develop interdisciplinary clinical management protocols and work within them.

Autonomously or in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, manage the care of patients undergoing relevant interventions, within agreed clinical protocols and in line with current practice/trends.

To offer a supportive service to patients and their carers, disseminating specialist knowledge enabling individuals to try and adapt to any changes to their body image and life experiences. Liaising with other healthcare professionals when necessary.

To provide, promote and maintain a support and advice service to patients and their carers, to include provision of information given from their point of referral to the Priority Lower GI Suspected Cancer Pathway through to investigation and follow-up working in conjunction with relevant healthcare professionals.

To maintain accurate and legible records of all clinical and legal documentation with regard to Statutory and Trust policies.

To control patient admission via direct referral and with consultant guidance and supervision.

Be aware of, understand, and act upon the Divisional Business Plan, with particular reference to nursing/midwifery care, in order to participate in the re-formulation of nursing/midwifery aspects of the plan.

When required, investigate the nursing/midwifery aspects of incidents/complaints and initiate corrective action.