Faster Diagnosis Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist

We are seeking an experienced, motivated and enthusiastic registered nurse to join the Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist team. The post holder will support the delivery of a robust, efficient and timely pathway for patients referred via the Two Week Wait (2WW) colorectal and anal cancer pathway.
The role will involve coordinating and facilitating straight-to-test diagnostic investigations, supporting the delivery of the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard for patients with suspected colorectal and anal cancer. The successful candidate will demonstrate a good understanding of colorectal and anal cancer pathways and recognise the importance of personalised care and support throughout the patient journey.
This role requires a high level of autonomous practice, clinical decision-making and professional judgement. Excellent communication, organisational and clinical skills are essential, together with the ability to work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team across both primary and secondary care settings to ensure seamless patient care and pathway management.

• Provide expert clinical support, nursing care and professional leadership to patients referred through the suspected Lower Gastrointestinal (LGI) cancer pathway.
• Assess and manage new referrals within nurse-led clinics, making informed clinical decisions regarding investigations, treatment pathways and onward care.
• Coordinate and facilitate a safe, effective and timely diagnostic pathway for patients referred with suspected colorectal cancer, ensuring a high standard of patient-centred care.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across primary and secondary care to support seamless patient journeys and optimise pathway performance.
• Communicate outcomes and next steps effectively to patients, carers, GPs and other healthcare professionals, including the appropriate discharge of patients from the cancer pathway.
• Support compliance with national Cancer Waiting Time standards, including the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard and 62-day treatment pathway targets.
• Proactively identify actual or potential risks to pathway compliance, implementing appropriate actions and escalating concerns where necessary.
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives that enhance patient experience, pathway efficiency and clinical outcomes.
• Demonstrate autonomous practice, clinical judgement and accountability while ensuring evidence-based, safe and effective care delivery.

We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.

Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

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