Job summary
- Main area
- Hepatology
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed Term Contract/Secondment - Up to 31st March 2027)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday , no weekends, compressed hours are possible working 4 days 8-6pm)
- Job ref
- 279-7911394-APR26
- Employer
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- RSCH
- Town
- Brighton
- Salary
- £39,959 - £48,117 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 30/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Hepatology Surveillance Nurse
Band 6
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
Join our passionate team at UHSussex. In collaboration with the Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance (SSCA), we offer a unique opportunity for one Band 6 Nurse to join our dynamic Hepatology team where you will contribute to the development and implementation of a liver surveillance pathway for early detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in our community. These SSCA- 1 year funded roles, are essential to enhance care and outcomes for those at risk of HCC. We seek dedicated individuals who are passionate about making a significant difference in liver health and patient care.
Location: Provide care within hospital and various community locations. The team hub is at Royal Sussex County Hospital, where attendance at monthly team meetings and initial training is required. Flexibility is essential as you may be required to work in other Sussex locations to provide occasional cross-coverage.
Why Join Us:
- Be part of a dedicated team advancing Hepatology care and improving patient outcomes.
- Access professional development opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Shape the future of liver health and surveillance pathways.
- Enjoy the vibrant atmospheres of Brighton and Hove and Worthing working across multiple locations.
Main duties of the job
The Hepatology Surveillance Nurse, Band 6, will collaborate closely with the nurse manager and Band 7 nursing team to establish and implement a nurse-led liver surveillance pathway. This pathway focuses on supporting patients with stable, compensated liver cirrhosis who are at risk of developing Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in outpatient and outreach settings across Sussex
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct patient assessments and investigations.
- Request and review Ultrasound scans (USS) and blood results.
- Perform Fibroscans
- Provide lifestyle advice and educational support.
- Coordinate care for patients enrolled in the liver HCC surveillance pathway.
- Manage patient records and ensure timely access to diagnostics.
- Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams (MDT) for patient care.
- Maintain and populate the Liver surveillance database.
- Support patient navigation through the healthcare system.
- Engage in continuous professional development and training.
The role involves working closely with healthcare professionals and patients to ensure effective implementation of liver surveillance protocols and patient-centered care.
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.
Please note that if you currently work for another NHS Trust or UHSussex and you are applying to accept this position as a secondment opportunity, before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current Trust/Manager. Secondments can’t be agreed without this approval. If you are unable to gain approval you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Job responsibilities
- Conduct nurse-led HCC surveillance clinics, supporting patients with stable cirrhosis.
- Provide comprehensive patient assessments, coordinate investigations, and interpret results to facilitate timely intervention and care plannning.
- Provide personalised lifestyle advice and support patients throughout the surveillance pathway, ensuring adherence to NICE QS152 guidelines.
- Maintain accurate patient records and populate the Liver Surveillance database for local and national reporting.
- Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including Consultant Hepatologists, Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS), and pathway navigators, to ensure holistic patient care.
- Facilitate patient access to USS surveillance and ensure timely referrals to MDTs when cancer is suspected.
- Communicate effectively with patients and their families, acting as their advocate and providing psychological support when needed during their healthcare journey..
- Engage in continuous professional development, attending training and contributing to audits and research initiatives.
Requirements: Registered Nurse with current NMC registration Experience in Hepatology or related specialties preferred, Strong communication and interpersonal skills, Ability to work collaboratively and independently, Manage own caseload and meet screening and cancer targets, Adaptability in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, Flexibility for occasional work in other Sussex locations, Excellent IT skills, especially with Microsoft Office and relevant systems.
This role requires a dedicated individual with strong clinical skills, a commitment to patient-centered care, who can work quickly and efficiently within a multidisciplinary team and must have strong Excel and database skills. You will play a crucial role in advancing Hepatology care and contributing to the early detection and management of liver disease, ultimately making a meaningful impact on patient outcomes.
For more information, please refer to the attached detailed job description (JD).
Person specification
Qualifications / Registration
Essential criteria
- Registered Nurse (NMC Level 1)
- Educated to Postgraduate Diploma level or equivalent level of experience
- Degree in Nursing/Health related subject, undertaking a degree pathway, or willingness to undertake
Desirable criteria
- Relevant post-registration experience (hepatology, gastro, cancer, or related specialty)
- Management of Liver Disorders Course
- Research qualification
- Recognised teaching qualification or prepared to work towards Master’s level learning or prepared to work towards
Experience
Essential criteria
- Relevant post-registration experience (hepatology, gastroenterology, cancer care or related specialty)
- Experience of autonomous clinical practice and patient assessment
- Experience managing a caseload and/or coordinating patient pathways
- Experience requesting/coordinating investigations and ensuring follow-up of results
Desirable criteria
- Experience in hepatology, surveillance or nurse-led clinics
- Experience of audit, research, or service improvement
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of liver disease and relevant diagnostic investigations
- Ability to recognise clinical deterioration/complexity and escalate appropriately
- Strong communication skills, including managing complex or sensitive discussions
- High level of organisation and attention to detail, including patient tracking
Desirable criteria
- Advanced communication skills (e.g. breaking bad news training/experience)
- Experience using clinical databases or managing patient cohorts
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
- Ability to work autonomously and prioritise workload effectively
- Demonstrates initiative, sound judgement and problem-solving skills
Desirable criteria
- Adaptable and able to support change/service development
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Samantha Readhead
- Job title
- Lead CNs for Hepatology
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01273 664541
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