Job overview
Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance has identified high incidents of lung cancer and smoking prevalence areas within West Kent where a significant impact can be made from detecting early stage lung cancer. Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS are keen to implement this for West Kent and build a clinical and non-clinical team to support this new initiative. TLHC Programme has now been signed off as the National Lung Cancer screening programme.
The purpose of the Targeted Lung Health/Lung Cancer Screening Programme (TLHC) is to enable the early detection of lung cancer diagnosed at Stage 1 and 2 to improve survival rates for those patients diagnosed with cancer. The TLHC programme targets those most at risk of lung cancer. The TLHC/Lung Cancer screening team are based at Buckland hospital and comprise of TLHC/Lung Cancer screening project lead, TLHC/Lung Cancer screening nurses, radiologists, respiratory physicians and administrators. The Team offer Lung Health Checks to patients between the ages of 55-74 with a history of smoking.
Main duties of the job
The TLHC nurse will provide specialist nursing advice and support to patients who are eligible for the TLCH programme. They will assess the patient’s eligibility via a telephone assessment taking into account smoking history, family history of lung cancer or personal history of cancer. This assessment will in addition identify and support patients with diverse needs, who may require additional support in order to consent or attend the CT scan appointment e.g. interpreter, learning disability support, carer etc. There is a focus on holistic needs within the assessment to provide patient centred care and providing support, advice and signposting to additional services as required. The TLHC nurse will conduct both face to face and telephone clinics ensuring service cover with a team approach.
The TLHC nurse will provide patients with information regarding the CT scan and obtain consent, in addition to safely assessing whether a patient is suitable for a CT scan and will complete requests following required training and competency, guided by agreed protocols as per trust policy and radiology guidance.
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 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
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
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
1. Evidence of managing self and working unsupervised or with minimal supervision for at least 2 years.
2. Excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills
3. Knowledge of trust policies and procedures and ability to translate these into action
4. Worked with respiratory or cancer/palliative care patient groups for at least 3 years
5. Excellent teaching and training skills
Desirable criteria
6. Awareness of National and local cancer targets.
7. Knowledge of symptom management in relation to lung cancers cancer nursing experience
8. Knowledge of statistics and report writing
9. Possess a working knowledge of respiratory equipment e.g. inhalers, spirometers
Skills
Essential criteria
10. Knowledge of national guidance relating to lung cancer services, and NHS Cancer Plan
11. Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a small team, as well as part of the wider multi-disciplinary team
12. Ability to prioritise workload achieving a balance between clinical work and other aspects of the post
13. Excellent communication and organisational skills
14. Knowledge of current management of patients with lung cancer
Desirable criteria
15. Audit experience
16. Experience of change management
17. Ability to deliver informal and formal lectures at all levels
18. Experience in using spreadsheets and databases
Qualifications
Essential criteria
19. NMC Level 1 Registration
20. BSc/1st degree (Health Related) or equivalent qualification / training and experience
21. Post registration in cancer/palliative care
22. Mentorship Course
Desirable criteria
23. IRME Training
24. Spirometry qualification
25. Post registration course in cancer care
26. Working towards MSc