Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Lung Specialist Cancer CNS Team at the MKUH Cancer Centre. The post holder will be a registered nurse with experience caring for patients with lung cancer or respiratory disease and a commitment to developing specialist knowledge in these areas.

The role involves undertaking holistic needs assessments, coordinating care, signposting services, providing emotional and psychological support, acting as a key worker throughout the cancer pathway, and contributing to service improvement. The post holder will develop competencies in caseload management, specialist practice and clinical expertise.

Working within the Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist service, the post holder will support patients alongside the multidisciplinary team across respiratory medicine, oncology, diagnostics, palliative care and primary care services to deliver seamless, patient-centred care.

Under the guidance of the Band 7 Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, they will develop specialist knowledge, clinical expertise and leadership skills within the lung cancer pathway.

The role requires effective independent and team working, supporting patients through the FDS diagnostic pathway, including triage, treatment discussions, follow-up care and living with and beyond cancer.

We care, We communicate, We collaborate, We contribute

Interview date: WC 26 October 2026

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be a visible presence across the specialty, promoting high standards of care, clinical excellence and continuous improvement in patient, family and carer experience. They will provide education and support to patients, carers and healthcare professionals while contributing to the development of lung cancer services within the Trust. Advanced clinical skills development, specialist training, education and mentorship will support progression from Band 6 to Band 7 practice within 18-24 months.

The CNS will:

Develop competence in advanced assessment of respiratory and oncology patients, including clinical reasoning, interpretation of diagnostic tests and initiation of investigations.

Manage respiratory and lung cancer patients through triage, referral, investigation and coordination of diagnostic and treatment pathways to support national targets.

Contribute to nurse-led services and service development.

Deliver person-centred care, working with the multidisciplinary team to ensure effective communication and continuity of care.

Support the genomics pathway, including ctDNA, molecular and genetic testing, in line with emerging practice.

Participate in research, quality improvement projects and audits to improve patient experience, outcomes and service delivery.

Work with patient groups, primary care services and stakeholders across primary, secondary, tertiary and specialist care to strengthen collaboration and support service objectives.

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.

Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

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Job responsibilities

NHS Staff Survey: Our Compassionate Culture and Leadership scores reflect a workplace where kindness, respect, and empathy are the normnot the exception.

This rapidly expanding modern and busy unit offers many training opportunities for their staff, recent developments have led to opening of a new Cancer Centre which opened in early 2020 and a radiotherapy unit opened early 2025 in partnership with Oxford University Hospital. This developing service is supported by a forward thinking & supportive Management Team, Nurse Practitioners, Palliative Care Team & Macmillan Information and Support Centre. We firmly believe in holistic care and provide access to psychological support, complementary therapies, welfare advice services and patient support groups.

Please refer to attached Job description for further information.

Person specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

• Registered General Nurse
• Degree or Diploma

Desirable

• ENB 998 or similar teaching qualification
• Specialty / cancer module
• Specialty / cancer module
• Independent nurse prescriber or working towards
• Advanced communication skills training

Experience

Essential

• Relevant experience at band 6 in Specialty /cancer care
• Experience of leading and developing clinical practice

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Computer skills

Desirable

• Excellent management skills of self and others
• Ability to facilitate the management of change
• Ability to delegate appropriately

Personal and people development

Essential

• Personal and oAbility to be flexible, to have flair and initiative and be able to work in a teampeople development
• Motivated / positive - self-directed and committed
• Professional image
• Meets essential qualification & experience
• Ability to organize, priorities and coordinate work

Communication

Essential

• Excellent communication skills with colleagues and people at all levels
• Flexible approach to work
• Good listener
• Team player

Desirable

• Ability to manage stressful situations, raise clinical issues and work independently to ensure the patients' needs are being met
• Ability to manage and motivate self and others.