Job overview
Are you a Band 7 nurse looking for a new challenge or a band 6 nurse seeking to progress? Do you want to work as part of a specialist team continually striving to deliver quality care and improve patient experience and pathways?
Do you have a specialist interest faster diagnostic service or straight to test and keen to support newly diagnosed patients in early stage of pathway. ?
If you have a passion to make a difference working within the Faster Diagnostic team and for patients that do not fit into a single pathway but being investigated for cancer and want to make an impact and care for this category of patients and carers, then please apply.
We are currently looking for a compassionate, motivated and enthusiastic nurse to join us in the role of Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialist to provide personalised care and to work as a clinical nurse specialist and within the non-specific symptom service within Cancer Services and to work with FDS MDT and wider teams.
You will bring a wide range of experience and expertise including excellent communication skills and be committed to work as part of a team providing individualised, holistic patient centred care to this patient group, utilising all four pillars of advanced practice to support MDT working and nurse led clinics and contribute to the remodelling and service development within this specialist area.
Main duties of the job
The Clinical Nurse Specialist will be named key worker for patients and work with the team to ensure equity and accessibility supporting he best treatment for their individual diagnosis; offer holistic care,.
The NSS Clinical Nurse Specialist will support this pathway, investigations to the point of non-cancer or cancer diagnosis and work across all disciplinaries within the trust as required. They will also be responsible for their own case load within NSS, including patients identified of having metastases of unknown origin under investigation. This role required the professional to have the ability to work alone as well as in a team.
You will work closely with and as part of, a multi-disciplinary team which includes Oncologists, Acute Physicians, Surgeons, Therapeutic Radiographers, community colleagues and administrative staff to ensure the delivery of a dynamic, seamless and compassionate service. You will support patients, their families and supporters to maximise their quality of life from the point of diagnosis throughout their cancer pathway.
Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
Blue Light card eligibility
And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Following your corporate induction you will be expected to attend the Trust’s 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. RN1/ RN2/ RN12 or RN Child Registered Nurse on the NMC register. To hold the appropriate level for the area of specialty
2. Post-graduate level qualification or equivalent experience
3. Evidence of ongoing professional development in relevant area of speciality supplemented by specialist clinical, managerial training and CPD
4. Mentorship course.
5. Management qualification or equivalent experience
Desirable criteria
6. LEO / Equivalent Leadership Training
7. Masters Degree
8. Advanced Communication
9. To hold a range of management courses
10. Counselling level 2
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
11. Experience of straight to test, cancer pathways.
12. Experience in staff / practice development including nurse led clinics, triage
13. Experience of audit / research-based nursing practice
14. Experience of resource management.
15. Experience of Clinical Supervision.
Desirable criteria
16. Experience of conducting own projects successfully and follow through action
17. Experience of analysing detailed information
18. Triaging experience
Skills
Essential criteria
19. Ability to identify patient and staff issues and proactive in addressing of these
20. Awareness of government led and professional issues relating to nursing / patient care
21. Demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance and risk management and how this effects their role and the department
22. Ability to administer prescribed medication including blood products
23. Strong leadership and team working skills.
Desirable criteria
24. Ability to use and understand Electronic Patient Records (EPR)
25. Ability to actively participate in and develop initiatives from the NHS Plan
26. Ability to interpret and analyse complex data and findings