Lead Upper & Lower Gastrointestinal Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced and compassionate GI Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist to provide expert, patient-centred care within our gastrointestinal cancer service.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading clinical role, supporting patients with complex needs across their pathway while promoting personalised care, equity of access, and excellent patient experience.

The post holder will work as an autonomous practitioner within the multidisciplinary team, providing advanced clinical assessment, decision-making, and care coordination. They will also contribute to service development, education, and quality improvement, ensuring high standards of care are maintained.

You will play a key role in shaping a responsive, inclusive service that meets the needs of a diverse patient population, while supporting colleagues and influencing best practice.

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• Provide advanced clinical assessment, decision-making, and care for patients with GI conditions across the pathway
• Act as a key worker, coordinating care and supporting patients and carers with personalised, holistic support
• Work autonomously within the multidisciplinary team, ensuring high-quality, safe, and effective care
• Lead on delivering a compassionate, inclusive service that promotes excellent patient experience and equitable access
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement, and achievement of cancer performance targets
• Support and develop the CNS team through clinical leadership and education
• Deliver patient and staff education to improve understanding, self-management, and care outcomes
• Ensure effective communication with patients, families, and professionals, including those with complex or additional needs

Working for our organisation

St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George’s Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).

After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.

At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The GI Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist will provide expert clinical care and leadership for patients with gastrointestinal conditions, ensuring care is safe, effective, and tailored to individual needs.

The post holder will work as an autonomous practitioner within the multidisciplinary team, coordinating care across the patient pathway and acting as a key worker and advocate for patients and their families.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Deliver advanced clinical assessment, decision-making, and management of patients with complex GI conditions
• Manage a defined caseload, providing continuity and coordination of care across inpatient and outpatient settings
• Act as a key worker, supporting patients from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up
• Provide specialist advice, symptom management, and psychosocial support to patients and carers
• Promote shared decision-making and personalised care planning

Leadership and Service Delivery

• Provide clinical leadership to the CNS team, supporting high standards of practice and patient care
• Contribute to the development of a responsive and inclusive service that meets the needs of a diverse population
• Support delivery of cancer pathway targets and service performance standards
• Act as a visible and accessible clinical expert within the service

Multidisciplinary Working

• Work collaboratively with consultants, nursing staff, AHPs, and wider teams to ensure coordinated care
• Actively contribute to MDT meetings, representing patient views and supporting care planning
• Liaise with community and external services to support seamless transitions of care

Service Development and Quality Improvement

• Participate in service improvement initiatives to enhance patient experience, access, and outcomes
• Support audit, data collection, and evaluation to inform service development
• Contribute to reducing health inequalities and improving access to care

Education and Training

• Provide education and support to patients and carers to promote understanding and self-management
• Support the development of staff through teaching, mentorship, and sharing of best practice
• Contribute to developing patient information that is accessible and inclusive

Communication

• Communicate complex and sensitive information with empathy, clarity, and professionalism
• Adapt communication to meet the needs of individuals, including those with additional or diverse needs
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain NMC registration and practice in line with professional and organisational standards
• Participate in continuing professional development and maintain advanced clinical competence
• Act in accordance with Trust values, promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of care

Your recruitment team
The NHS South West London Recruitment Hub is your dedicated recruitment team, here to support you at every stage of the process. If you have a query, please contact us:
E: [email protected]

Your application
Please ensure your supporting statement clearly reflects the job description and person specification, as shortlisting will be based on these criteria.

Please refer to the latest UKVI guidance and ensure you have the appropriate right to work before applying for this role.

Use of Artificial Intelligence
We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to draft your application. We value authentic, individual responses that reflect your own experience and communication style.

References
Please provide a minimum of 3 years’ employment and/or education history, including professional email addresses (not personal accounts such as Hotmail or Gmail). If you cannot provide these, please inform the interview panel to avoid delays in pre-employment checks.

Closing date
To help us manage recruitment efficiently, some vacancies may close early once we have received a sufficient number of applications.

Shortlisting
If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be contacted by email or SMS from the South West London Recruitment Hub. Please check your registered TRAC email regularly.

Application feedback
If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Safeguarding and DBS Checks
We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. For roles with direct access to these groups, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required. All staff are expected to understand and uphold their safeguarding responsibilities as part of their role.