Head, Neck and Thyroid Specialist Nurse

Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Main duties of the job
Join a service where your specialist skills make a real difference. As a Head, Neck and Thyroid Specialist Nurse, you'll provide expert clinical care and personalised support to patients with complex cancer, helping to deliver safe, timely and compassionate care across the pathway.

You'll play a key role in coordinating care, supporting shared decision-making and ensuring patients and families feel informed and supported throughout their treatment journey. Your contribution will strengthen service quality, enhance patient experience and support ongoing improvements across our Head & Neck and Thyroid pathways.

Working closely with consultants, CNS colleagues, AHPs and cancer support workers, you'll be part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care. You will report to the Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist for Head & Neck and Thyroid, with opportunities to contribute to pathway development, audit and innovation across UHS

About us
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS, we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Job responsibilities
The ideal candidate will have experience in cancer care or head and neck surgery, with the confidence to support patients with complex needs.

Must be available on Tuesdays, as this is a core clinical and MDT activity day for the service.

Able to prioritise and work autonomously while managing a varied caseload, using advanced communication and assessment skills to support patients throughout their pathway.

Demonstrates strong collaborative working, contributing effectively to the multidisciplinary team and supporting pathway development, audit and service improvement.

Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential

• Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
• Degree qualification, 120 credits at L6 or possess an equivalent knowledge to be assessed through evidence of relevant specialist training, experience or portfolio
• Significant post registration experience / qualification / training, including experience and knowledge within relevant speciality
• Completion of all Band 5 (preceptorship) competencies
• Higher Education Institute approved course in supporting learners in practice or evidence assessed to be of equivalent experience, demonstrating support to a range of learners in practice. Provide evidence of both supporting a range of learners in practice and supporting colleagues to promote effective learning in practice
• Extensive post registration experience within specialist area.
• Knowledge of current issues within the acute health service.
• Understanding of personal accountability.

Desirable

• Change Management, clinical practice development.
• Multidisciplinary team working.

Skills and competencies
Essential

• Ability to learn and assimilate information quickly
• Communication
• Critical thinking
• General IT skills
• Leadership
• Negotiation skills
• Organisational skills
• Prioritisation
• Teamwork
• Working under pressure

Trust Values
Essential

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).