Job overview
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 breast cancer care and a strong work ethic, to oversee the operational running, service development, and management of the Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) team.
Main duties of the job
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 Breast Care Team, working independently to manage a high-quality care and cost-effective service for patients with suspected or confirmed breast 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.
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. First level Registered Nurse
2. Broad clinical experience relevant to the post
3. Site Specific/ Cancer Care qualification or module.
4. Nursing Degree, Masters or equivalent level experience
Desirable criteria
5. Leadership/management qualification or equivalent level experience
Experience
Essential criteria
6. Demonstrable previous success in leading and delivering change
7. Ability to manage performance by engaging teams in the strategic direction and delivery plans.
8. Able to establishing clear work priorities, delegating effectively, ensuring a capability to deliver, monitoring performance and giving feedback.
9. Proven ability to analyse complex problems and to develop and successfully implement practical and workable solutions to address them.
10. Ability to think and plan strategically, tactically and creatively.
11. Able to prioritise work programs in the face of competing demands.
12. A strong sense of personal and team accountability coupled with a clear understanding of the boundaries around delegated authority.
13. A good understanding of the changing NHS environment.
Skills
Essential criteria
14. Excellent Clinical Skills
15. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
16. Experience in report writing/business planning
17. Ability to delegate effectively.
18. Excellent people management skills
19. Leadership and influencing skills
20. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
21. Maintains confidentiality, and is accountable for actions/decisions.
22. Able to analyse and interpret findings of audit and develop action plans.
23. Able to create reports and ability to use spread sheets.
24. Computer literate and has appropriate keyboard skills.
25. Ability to work to tight timescales and reprioritise effectively.
26. To be aware of the Data Protection Act and implement changes to working practice with regard to new legislation