Job summary
- Main area
- EMCT Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 413-110416-RI-DA
- Employer
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Phase 1 - Q01312
- Town
- Manchester
- Salary
- £49,387 - £56,515 Pro Rata, Per Annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 15/09/2026 23:59
Employer heading
EMCT Clinical Nurse Specialist
Band 7
Job overview
The post of Clinical Specialist Nurse (CNS) for the Experimental Cancer Medicine Team (ECMT) presents an exciting opportunity to join an established and very successful research team with a varied and growing portfolio of pan disease, early phase studies. The team supports a large number of industry-led, non-commercial and academic led trials and includes CTIMPS, observational and device trials.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual who will provide a comprehensive nursing service for ECMT patients from trial recruitment to discharge, leading the patient discharge pathway back to local teams or community, providing support for patients over the transition and communicating effectively with internal and external teams. The post holder will work collaboratively alongside the team of Consultants, Clinical Fellows, Research Nurses, Clinical Trial Pharmacists, Translational Research Facilitators and Clinical Trial Coordinators/Data Managers. The post holder will participate in the submission of timely reports to the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) alongside the ECMT leadership team.
Main duties of the job
Key responsibilities of the post include providing a specialist nursing care, expertise and advice to patients and carers within the field of ECMT clinical trials and developing the post and service according to the team needs and targets and demonstrating the positive effect on patient care. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, possess strong motivation and have the ability to work independently. A background in oncology and early research is essential, as it is experience in leadership and flexibility in working.
You will interact with variety of research professionals across The Christie including the NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility as well as across Manchester ECMC and the wider ECMC network. You should have a proactive approach to self-development as well as being able to demonstrate initiative and expertise in team development and wider training programmes.
In return the post holder will be supported by a highly motivated team, working together in a fast-paced research setting working with patients in support of the development of innovative therapies and treatment regimens for cancer patients.
Working for our organisation
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, looking after more than 64,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 25% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.
We are the largest radiotherapy provider in the NHS with one in 20 treatments delivered at The Christie. We have up to 15 linear accelerators operating across our network of sites. We operate the largest chemotherapy unit in the UK on our main site and treatments are also provided at 13 other networked sites, and in patients homes. And as a specialist tertiary surgical centre, we focus on rare cancers, complex procedures, and multidisciplinary approaches to cancer surgery, specialising in colorectal, peritoneal, gynaecological, urological and plastic surgery.
We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We have been named by the UK’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), as one of the best hospitals providing opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research studies, with more than 800 studies open at any time, caring for over 3,000 patients.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This post has a specific focus on supporting patients enrolled in ECMT clinical trials at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
The postholder will:
• Provide specialist nursing expertise, care and advice to patients and carers within the field of ECMT clinical trials, working alongside Clinical Research Nurses.
• Act as point of contact for patients, carers and members of the local teams (internal and external) and community, providing support, information and education as required.
• Provide holistic support to ECMT patients and relatives from trial enrolment onwards, ensuring continuity and consistency of care.
• Work within clearly defined clinical trial protocols and Trust policies.
• Liaise with the medical ECMT group, Advance Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Research Nurses to ensure that there is good communication regarding patient management.
• Collaborate with members of the ECMT, Research and Innovation teams and Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres.
• Collaborate and support local and referring teams (both internally and externally) and community teams to ensure there is a smooth transition for patients and carers from hospital to the community and vice versa.
• Demonstrate initiative and vision in moving the service forward as well as developing standards and protocols for the management of ECMT patients.
• Attend ECMT outpatient clinics ensuring that the needs of patients and carers are met in these clinics.
• Support patient care for ECMT patients treated at the Clinical Research Facility.
• Promote a culture that supports self-management for the patient group.
• Provide specialist education and training to other professionals within ECMT, Trust staff, local teams and community involved in patient care.
• Participation in research engaging activities at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester area and nationally.
• Collate and record quantitative and qualitative data to provide evidence of productivity, outcomes and quality, through audit and research.
• Report to NIHR according to deadlines in terms of outcomes achieved, patient experience, service improvement and impact on research within Greater Manchester area.
• Lead on the implementation and monitoring of adherence to relevant clinical guidelines.
• Actively participate in multi-professional meetings, acting as patient advocate and representing nursing views.
• Act as a role model for excellent advanced communication skills and expertise.
• Demonstrate skills in conflict resolution and competent negotiation skills when dealing with difficult or challenging situations.
1. Clinical Practice
• Provide specialist nursing input, advice and support for ECMT patients, working alongside the research nursing team, Advanced Nurse Practitioners and doctors.
• Be fluent with research protocols and maintain specialist knowledge relating to experimental cancer trials.
• Manage a caseload of patients and undergo comprehensive assessments and plan, implement and evaluate care using specialist knowledge and collaborating with all members of the ECMT, whilst maintaining a high standard of record keeping.
• Lead the patient discharge pathway for ECMT patients, providing a comprehensive nursing service to early phase patients.
• Liaise with local referring teams (internal and external) and community within the Greater Manchester area and nationally to ensure smooth patient care transition between Trusts/community.
• Provide emotional support to patients and their families.
• Promote patient and public experience feedback through local initiatives to drive innovation and change.
• Potential to prescribe drugs as a supplementary prescriber. Participate in the supply and administration of medicines according to trial protocols.
2. Educational
• Educate patients and their families regarding oncology early phase clinical trials and related issues.
• Participate in formal teaching sessions for staff (internal and external).
• Provide advice to community support services in patient care needs regarding oncology early phase clinical trials.
• Maintain own professional development ensuring educational needs are met.
• Attend appropriate group meetings and forums to share ideas with colleagues in similar roles.
3. Leadership and Management
• Act as role model and expert resource to patients, carers and staff.
• Develop effective working relationships with all members of the team to ensure the delivery of an efficient resource.
• Maintain accurate record system and collect relevant statistical information for service evaluation.
• Complete NIHR CRN reports according to funding with support of the ECMT leadership team.
• Participate in clinical audit as required.
• Ensure effective use of stock and equipment with care and economy.
• Lead where appropriate the establishment of standards for practice and care protocols.
4. Research
• Working according trial protocols as per the delegation of activities.
• Participate in research related activities, such as Site Initiation Visits, trial meetings and conferences.
• Potential to conduct nurse-led research.
5. Professional
• Supervise, develop and support the delivery of care for this patient group, maintaining and promoting the highest standards of care.
• Develop patient management protocols, including discharge information and pathways.
• Carry out audits and ensure patient care is to the highest possible standard.
• Agree regular objectives with line manager and submit the relevant annual reports demonstrating progress against targets and objectives.
• Be aware of and comply with NMC code of practice and trust policies.
• Assist in the development of the specialist nursing service within current changing trends.
6. Communication
• Maintain regular contact with patients and their families, assessing any change in their care needs. Initiate appropriate referrals as needed.
• Maintain effective communication with all members of the team within the hospital and external organisations/teams.
• Liaise with and act as a resource for community services regarding patient care, providing information as required.
• Liaise with ECMT staff relating to clinical requirements pertaining to the needs of this patient group.
• Participate in clinical decisions as required.
• Produce clear and consistent written information which can be used by Healthcare Professionals to provide consistent advice and maximise the provision of the highest quality of patient care
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- RGN
- Degree in Nursing/ Health related subject or equivalent experience
- Post registration qualification or experience in oncology and early phase research
Desirable criteria
- Masters Degree
- Counselling experience
- Palliative Care experience
- Teaching experience
- Non-medical prescriber
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience in oncology and early phase research
- Experience working at a senior level/management
- Post registration with experience at a senior level
- Broad range of clinical experience and experience in oncology
- Experience of working with patients undergoing early phase trials
- Participation in service development and implementation of change
Desirable criteria
- Experience of influencing change
- Experience of working within a given resource and ability to demonstrate imaginative and effective use of resources
- Experience setting up a new service
Skills
Essential criteria
- Advanced communication skills.
- Ability to analyse data and provide written reports
- Ability to work autonomously
- Ability to present information to professional groups
- Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues across health and social care setting
- Strong organisational / prioritising skills
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of writing protocols/standards
- Evidence of effective team working across professional and organisational boundaries
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of professional and NHS issues
- Knowledge of early research protocols
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Values
Essential criteria
- Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours
Other
Essential criteria
- Acceptance of some flexibility in working hours
- Attend Clinics and MDT meetings
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Jessica Longland
- Job title
- Clinical Research Matron
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07484039069
- Additional information
Amy Smith
ECMT Clinical Nurse Specialist
Work mobile: 07967841987
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