Clinical Nurse Specialist for Rare Cancers
There is an exciting opportunity for an experienced registered nurse to come and join the cancer services team at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. We are looking for a dynamic and motivated individual, with an established background in rare cancers and or sarcoma care and has a strong work ethic, to oversee the operational running, service development, and management of the Teenage & Young Adolescents (TYA) service, Sarcoma, Head and Neck and Neuro-oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) team. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring high quality care across both our hospital sites. The post holder will take a leadership role as part of the teams, manage a caseload of patients who have sarcoma and can work independently to manage a high-quality care and cost-effective service for patients with suspected or confirmed gynaecological cancer. They will be responsible for leading the development of strategy for continuous improvement and implementing change in collaboration with the wider MDT (Multi Disciplinary Team) and external partners.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will demonstrate outstanding autonomous and critical thinking and is a caring, compassionate and committed experienced nurse. They will, whilst acting within their professional boundaries, provide care for presenting patients from initial history taking, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of care. They will demonstrate safe, competent clinical decision-making and expert care, including assessment and diagnosis, for patients within the service. They will communicate and work collaboratively with the MDT to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures, and providing nurse leadership as required.
About us
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 and diverse 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.
Job responsibilities
We have 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 has 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 mtw-tr.professionalstandards@nhs.net 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.
Interview Date: To be confirmed
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.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* First level Registered Nurse
* Broad clinical experience relevant to the post
* Cancer qualification or module
* Nursing Degree, Masters or equivalent level experience
* Advanced communication level 2 training
Experience
* Demonstrable previous success in leading and delivering change
* Ability to manage performance by engaging teams in the strategic direction and delivery plans
* Able to establish clear work priorities, delegating effectively, ensuring a capability to deliver, monitoring performance and giving feedback
* Proven ability to analyse complex problems and to develop and successfully implement practical and workable solutions to address them. Ability to think and plan strategically, tactically and creatively
* Able to prioritise work programs in the face of competing demands. A strong sense of personal and team accountability coupled with a clear understanding of the boundaries around delegated authority
* A good understanding of the changing NHS environment
Skills
* Excellent clinical skills
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* Experience in report writing/business planning
* Leadership and influencing skills
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team
* Maintains confidentiality, and is accountable for actions/decisions
* Computer literate and has appropriate keyboard skills
* Able to create reports and ability to use spreadsheets
* Able to analyse and interpret findings of audit and develop action plans
* Ability to work to tight timescales and reprioritise effectively
* To be aware of the Data Protection Act and implement changes to working practice with regard to new legislation
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Maidstone Hospital/ Tunbridge Wells Hospital
£53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
359-6949318-T1
Job locations
Maidstone Hospital/ Tunbridge Wells Hospital
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