Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Endocrine Team at Maidstone Hospital, and we are looking to recruit a full-time fixed-term or secondment as an Endocrine Specialist nurse. The post holder will be key in supporting the Endocrine Consultants and service, working with patients and other health care professionals to ensure patients are receiving the best care and support with their condition, and streamlining the patient’s pathway.
We are an Outpatient service and the role will be full-time 37.5 hours on weekdays. It will require you to work predominantly at Maidstone Hospital, however there may be occasions you will be required to work cross-site at Tunbridge Wells.
The post holder will work as part of the Endocrine multi-disciplinary team providing specialist nursing care to a patients with endocrine conditions. Key responsibilities of the role include managing the patient advice-line, patient education, performing dynamic function tests aiding diagnosis, attending and presenting at MDT meetings, and running nurse-led telephone clinics to manage patients with thyroid conditions.
The role will also involve patient education in the form of teaching sessions for adrenal insufficiency, to empower patients with the knowledge to manage their condition. At times you may also be required to support and educate nursing and ward staff, and will promote awareness, implementation and adherence of Trust, National and Professional polices and guidelines.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will support the investigation and management of patients with potential endocrine disorders by performing dynamic function tests to help diagnose conditions, interpret these results and feedback to the Consultants to initiate treatment where appropriate. Cannulation and phlebotomy skills are therefore essential. The role will involve correspondence with other health care professionals in primary and secondary care, therefore strong written and communication skills are desirable.
The post-holder will run weekly nurse-led thyroid clinics, where it will be required to interpret blood results and assess symptoms, and manage medications appropriately using clinical judgement and Trust protocols. You will need to be able to work autonomously, however be able to escalate concerns or seek clinical guidance when appropriate and will be supported by the Endocrine team.
You will be self-motivated, organised, computer literate and able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and committed to service provision whilst maintaining own continual professional development
If you are interested in applying for this role, please do make contact with the Endocrine CNS Lead for further details and/or to arrange an informal visit
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
MTW is a large acute hospital trust in the south-east of England.
We provide a full range of general hospital services and some aspects of specialist and complex care to around 600,000 people living in west Kent and East Sussex. We have a team of over 8,000 full and part-time staff. We also provide specialist cancer services to around 2 million people across Kent and East Sussex via the Kent Oncology Centre.
In the 2024 NHS staff survey, our employees ranked MTW among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and the second-best Trust to work for in the South East.
Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.
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.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)
At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.
We support our staff with disabilities to ensure they have the adjustments they need to be the best they can be in the workplace. Collaborating with Access to Work means that our staff are assessed by experts in the workplace and we ensure that their recommendations are implemented as quickly as possible. You can find out more here: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Interview Date: To Be Confirmed
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. RN with experience at Band 6
Desirable criteria
2. Evidence of continuing education
3. ALS certification
Experience/ Knowledge
Essential criteria
4. Clinical experience pertinent to endocrinology
5. Track record of innovating services / experience of change management
6. Evidence of understanding and insight into current issues in nursing and NHS
7. Evidence of appropriate knowledge base in endocrinology
8. Knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety policies
9. Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures and the ability to liaise concerns appropriately
Desirable criteria
10. To have proven experience of service development
11. Audit programmes experience
12. Track record of publication
13. Experience with Patient Group Directives (PGD)
14. Knowledge of audit / research methodologies
Skills
Essential criteria
15. Strong leadership skills
16. Excellent oral and written communication skills
17. Venepuncture and cannulation skills
18. Ability to build up a rapport with patients and the MDT
19. Ability to impart complex information to patients, parents and carers, with different levels of understanding
20. Advanced clinical assessment skills, or willingness to develop these
21. Ability to work independently and as part of a team
22. Computer literacy at intermediate level
23. Patient centred approach
24. Basic counselling skills
25. Ability to prioritise workload
26. Ability to be reflective, accept criticism and act constructively
27. Capable of making clinical / managerial decisions on own initiative
Desirable criteria
28. Project management skills
29. Presentation skills
30. Evidence of ability to undertake research