Title: Cancer Awareness Nurse (Connaught Region)
Reports to: Cancer Prevention Manager
Contract type: Fixed-term contract (12 months)
Hours: Part-time (28 hours per week), 9am – 5pm. Includes occasional evenings & weekends. Flexibility required
Location: Hybrid. Remote/Field-based (primarily Connaught) with bi-monthly attendance at the Dublin 4 office
Travel required: Travel will be required to community, roadshow & workplace events within Ireland (Primarily Connaught Region)
Travel at least one day per week.
Weekend work: Occasional weekend work (max 1 day per month) The successful candidate will be able to choose a mid-weekday off to compensate for working the 1 day weekend
Salary: €49,000 FTE (full time Equivalent) - €39,200 Pro Rata salary for part time hours
Who we are:
Every three minutes, someone in Ireland hears the words ‘You’ve got cancer’. At the Irish Cancer Society, we understand the physical, emotional and financial impact a cancer diagnosis brings. And we are determined to do everything we can to help.
As Ireland’s leading cancer charity, we work across every area of cancer – from prevention and early detection, through to end-of-life care. We make a positive impact for people affected by cancer every day: investing in life-saving and life-changing research; providing practical, financial and emotional supports; and driving improvements in public cancer services.
We’re looking for a Cancer Awareness Nurse to join our team. As Cancer Awareness Nurse you will play a key part in supporting people to reduce their risk of cancer and providing information to enable them to catch cancer early.
If you are passionate about cancer awareness, early detection and transforming the patient experience in relation to cancer information; compassionate and able to empower people without judgement; and want to be part of a growing team delivering real impact to reduce health inequalities and minimise the risk of premature deaths,this role is for you.
Join us to change the lives of people affected by cancer in Ireland.
What we do:
The Cancer awareness team provides a community outreach service which aims to:
Improve awareness of cancer signs and encourage the early detection of cancer.
Increase the uptake of cancer screening.
Encourage positive lifestyle change to reduce cancer risk.
This nurse-led service is delivered in a number of different ways and in different settings (Community centres, Workplaces and Shopping Centres) Depending on the context and audience requirements, sessions could include formal presentations, (in-person and online), facilitated information sessions, information stands, self-check demonstrations, coaching lifestyle change and free confidential health checks. The service has a particular focus on populations who are at a greater risk and in areas of most disadvantage across the country
As a Cancer Awareness Nurse, you will be the face of the Society’s early detection strategy. This is not a traditional clinical role; it is a dynamic outreach position designed to meet people where they are—in workplaces, community centres, and regional roadshows. You will empower individuals through health checks, coaching for behavioural change, and public speaking, with a specific focus on reaching underserved populations and reducing health inequalities.
Key duties and responsibilities:
Cancer Prevention and early detection
Work with the Cancer Awareness team to provide an integrated prevention and early detection service.
Provide health checks, information and advice to support the prevention and early detection of cancer.
Offer support and advice on behavioural change and signpost to appropriate support services within the Society.
Provide information to enable people to participate in cancer screening and vaccination programmes.
Provide information stands and presentations in community and corporate settings.
Support and advise on the development of national early detection awareness campaigns
Ensure all medical equipment is managed appropriately and is fully operational.
Ensure all health and safety standards are fully complied with at community and corporate events.
Gather and analyse data and feedback to support the quality, performance and impact of our programmes,
Keep up to date on health promotion and heath behaviour trends and initiatives and share your insights across the team.
Advise and support the team on medical issues that are presented at community and corporate events and ensure any medical issues identified, are addressed appropriately.
Proactively share knowledge across colleagues and the organisation to support the enhancement of person-centred supports and care for people affected by cancer
Participate in courses/workshops/conferences/online education resources as appropriate to maintain own knowledge and awareness of cancer and related issues
Work as part of the Cancer Awareness team, and with colleagues across the Society, to support the coordination and implementation of our early detection strategy, and awareness and prevention activities.
Support the promotion of cancer awareness messages on local media.
Be a day-to-day contact point for volunteers and third-party vendors supporting the Society’s cancer awareness activities.
Develop and deliver training for staff, volunteers and heath managers in community and corporate settings.
Work collaboratively with the team to identify opportunities for future development of this service
Data insights and knowledge sharing:
Collaboration and promotion:
Relationship management:
Develop and manage external relationships with the local community, community groups, clinicians and any other relevant stakeholders
Proactively develop referral pathways with external organisations to be able to support the needs of our Service Users
Who you are:
The right candidate for this role is:
Passionate about health promotion: you are passionate about catching cancer early and changing behaviour and systems to enable better health and want to learn and grow your knowledge in this area.
Compassionate: kind and non-judgemental, with an ability to build trust with people from all walks of life, with a strong understanding of the importance of confidentiality and trust when working with members of this community.
A people person: whether it’s meeting a member of the public at a Roadshow, working with colleagues and volunteers, or engaging with clinicians you understand what makes people tick, and create effective relationships.
A great communicator: you can communicate effectively across multiple channels (face-to-face, written, digital) and adapt your style to meet the audience where they are.
Technologically savvy:you’re comfortable using digital and technology tools across your work and identifying new ways that technology can support early detection and information sharing.
Organised and effective:you work effectively within a project team, working to deadlines and pulling together to achieve a goal. You are highly organised, and methodical in ensuring events, training or other initiatives are delivered to a high quality.
Flexible and open to travel:engaging with the public means meeting them where they are, and when they need. You will spend time travelling within Ireland (e.g. to Roadshows, presentations or workshops) including occasional overnight stays, and weekend/ evening work may be required.
Your qualifications and experience:
Registered General Nurse, on the active register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) with c. three to five years recent experience in nursing
Health promotion and/or cancer prevention experience, with a good understanding of a broad range of cancer signs and symptoms
Experience in cancer nursing an advantage
The closing date for applications is Monday 23rd March 2026
The Irish Cancer Society is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees. We know that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.
WE DO NOT REQUIRE THE ASSISTANCE OF AGENCIES
Some of our benefits:
23 days Annual Leave a year or Pro Rata equivalent, plus public holidays, Good Friday and Christmas Eve (if it falls on a working day)
Service Days - Additional days awarded to reflect long service with the Society.
Sick Pay Scheme (following Probationary period)
Flexitime
Defined Contribution Pension Scheme - new starters will join the pension from the date of commencement of employment with the Society. The current contribution rate ranges from a contribution of 3%, 5% or a maximum of 8% of basic salary.
Group membership for VHI and HSF (health plans)
Bus/Rail Ticket Scheme and Cycle to Work Scheme
Death In Service Benefit (from commencement of employment)
Paid Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity, Adoptive, Force Majeure and compassionate Leave)
Learning and Development Programmes
Educational Assistance (Study and Examination Leave)
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Optional Flu vaccine provided