An exciting opportunity has arisen for staff nurses (band 5s) to join our regional cancer care unit at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS). We’re looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic nurses with a genuine interest in cancer care, along with a commitment to continuous learning, teamwork and mutual support.

About our unit

The cancer care unit cares for patients from a wide geographical area ranging in age from 16 upwards.

• C4 is a 23 bedded clinical oncology ward and offers a wide range of treatments including radiotherapy, iodine and high dose radiotherapy treatments, chemotherapy and diagnostic procedures.
• C6 is a 21 bedded ward that provides intensive chemotherapy to patients with haematological disorders. It is the regional bone marrow transplant service for this area.
• D2 is a 20 bedded haematology ward delivering care to both malignant and non-malignant conditions.
• D3 is a 22 bedded medical oncology ward. D3 takes both elective and emergency admissions and is involved in administering the majority of inpatient chemotherapy to a variety of tumour sites.
• Teenage young adult (TYA) unit is a 6 bedded ward caring for cancer patients from the age of 16 – 24. They treat both haematology and oncology patients.

All the areas care for acutely unwell cancer patients, those having adverse side effects to treatment and palliative patients. All areas work with a wide multidisciplinary team including doctors, physiotherapists, and cancer nurse specialists to put patients’ specific needs at the heart of their care.

Undergoing cancer treatment is never going to be easy but we are working hard to make sure our patients and their families have the most positive experience possible with us as part of our Trust vision – patients first, working together, always improving.

What we’re looking for

UHS is expanding specialist and advanced treatments for cancer and we are looking for staff who have the drive and passion to take these forward. We work closely with the research teams within the hospital and university to provide trials for cancer patients.

You‘ll need to have experience of working in an acute care setting and an understanding of current acute health service issues. If you have a strong focus on patient care and are able to work inter-professionally across boundaries and support junior colleagues in their development then we are keen for you to join our team.

What we can offer you

We offer opportunities to enhance your skills and be part of a forward thinking and supportive multi professional team. Competency in intravenous therapy and chemotherapy administration is desirable but not essential. If you do not have these skills you will be offered training to support you to develop these skills.

You’ll receive an individualised induction programme when you first start to visit all the different areas within the department. In the future, we are hoping to develop a rotational programme.

Working within cancer care will provide you with an excellent opportunity to develop your clinical skills whilst enhancing your knowledge of oncology and haematology. You’ll be supported and encouraged to further develop your nursing career.

Cancer care has a highly motivated and supportive education team who drive staff development forward. There are opportunities to develop your knowledge in cancer care nursing by attending the Wessex Cancer Alliance chemotherapy course and the ‘Fundamentals of Cancer Care’ course, developed by our own education team.

We believe you deserve the best possible surroundings in which to do your job and are able to support you so that you can deliver the highest quality care to your patients and their families.

About our Trust and Southampton

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Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return.  To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals   learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes.  This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible.   UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the  Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.