Systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) nurse

Patient Pathway Coordinator

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Patient Pathway Coordinator

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Do you have good attention to detail? Are you interested in science?

A SACT or Systemic anti-cancer therapy nurse is an experienced registered nurse, responsible for safely delivering cancer treatments to patients. There are many different treatments, and you will be knowledgeable about how they all work, how they are handled and administered as well as the potential side effects they can have on a patient.

As a SACT nurse you are most likely to:

Work in a hospital Trust supporting patients through the treatment stage of their journey;
Take each individual patients holistic needs into consideration to ensure they have the right information and support whilst receiving SACT.
Work with a range of different teams at the hospital to be able to provide the best patient care;
Be a point of contact for patients with questions or worries;
Help to guide a patient through their cancer journey providing support, information and guidance;

Entry Requirements

To become a SACT nurse you will need to be a registered nurse, ideally with experience in cancer care although this is not essential as training will be given. SACT nurses would need to develop competence in the administration of IV therapies, cannulation and venepuncture prior to learning to administer SACT.

You would need at least two (preferably three) A-levels including Biology to undertake a nursing degree.

Training Routes

As an experienced registered nurse looking to specialise you can typically train to deliver SACT whilst working in your existing role in a cancer unit or ward.

You would need to pass theoretical modules which are included in the national competency document, the UKONS SACT passport. You would also demonstrate your competency by administering all types of SACT under direct supervision before you can gain your accreditation to deliver SACT independently.

Key Skills

You will:

Be an excellent communicator, able to work closely with patients and colleagues;
Have strong attention to detail;
Enjoy being part of a team but also enjoy having your own caseload of patients to care for.
Keep up to date with changes to medicines and the impact on patients;
Be able to work with patients who may express a variety of emotions;
Be able to prioritise your workload and be flexible in your approach throughout each day;
Have the ability to solve problems and to work under pressure;
Have leadership and management skills;
Have a desire to develop expert clinical skills including cannulation, venepuncture, care of central venous catheters and SACT administration.

Pay and benefits

SACT nurses are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system at Band 5. More experienced SACT nurses may be paid at band 6 in some trusts.

SACT nurses are often based on SACT day units with some units requiring nurses to undertake weekend working but no night duty. Some SACT nurses work at outreach services away from the main hospital.

Other SACT nurses are based on an in-patient ward where SACT is administered – e.g. haematology.

Systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) nurse

FURTHER INFORMATION

Learn about nursing careers in the NHS (Nursing careers | Health Careers)

Read more about Systemic Anti-Cancer treatment (Systemic anti-cancer therapy – Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk))

Understand the SACT passport (NHS England » Systematic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) Passport – a standardised and portable approach to training and competency)