Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a 1 year secondment within MTW UGI CNS Service. We are looking for a positive and enthusiastic nurse with a strong work ethic and a solid clinical background in gastro-intestinal or cancer care to join our well-established team of Upper GI Clinical Nurse Specialists at Band 7 level.
The Upper GI CNS team at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is a forward-thinking, patient-focused team providing a high standard of care for patients diagnosed with Upper GI cancer, embracing change to improve patient experience.
The CNS Team are an integral part of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and work closely with medical/surgical colleagues, diagnostic services, inpatient and outpatient teams to provide a holistic and patient-centred service. The CNS Team have strong links with Kent Oncology Centre to ensure a streamlined pathway of care for patients.
The CNS Team also includes a UGI Development Nurse and Cancer Support Worker who provides a valuable contribution to the patient pathway.
Main duties of the job
The role will involve working as a member of the Band 7 Upper GI CNS Team, to provide in-depth knowledge on the care pathway and complex needs of patients diagnosed with Upper GI cancer, joining them to take the lead on the day-to-day running of the service.
You will also work clinically with patients and carers from the time of referral to provide nursing advice and practical and psychosocial support including Holistic Assessments and Personalised Care Plans.
You will also provide support for junior members of the team including undertaking annual appraisals and performance reviews. You will actively engage with the weekly MDT acting as patient advocate and supporting decision-making.
To work at Band 7 level you will need to have gained experience at Band 6, or equivalent level in a gastro-intestinal medical, surgical or oncology setting.
The post will involve cross-site working and a degree of flexibility to meet the needs of the service. We currently operate a Monday to Friday service and are happy to consider a flexible working pattern providing the needs of the service are met.
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:
o At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).o Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefitso Blue Light card eligibilityo And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Job description
Job responsibilities
Weve 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 Trusts 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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Weve 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 Trusts 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.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NMC Level 1 Registration
- BSc/1st degree (Health Related) or equivalent qualification / training and experience
- Post registration course in cancer/palliative care or relevant experience in gastro-enterology
Desirable
- Counselling skills training
- Advanced Communication Skills Training
- Working towards Master's Degree
Experience/ Knowledge
Essential
- Worked specifically with cancer or gastroenterology patient group for at Band 6 level or above, or equivalent
- Expert in nurse-led practice.
- Knowledge of current management of patients with Upper GI cancer.
- Knowledge of current clinical and nursing research related to Upper GI cancers.
Desirable
- Knowledge symptom management in relation to Upper GI cancer
- Knowledge of national guidance relating to Upper GI cancer services and the NHS Cancer Plan.
- Knowledge of neuroendocrine tumours and a specific interest in management of these
Skills
Essential
- Able to communicate empathically and compassionately with patients and families
- Able to work well within a Team and support colleagues with the same degree of compassion and empathy reserved for patients
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a small team, as well as part of the wider multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to prioritise workload achieving a balance between clinical work and other aspects of the post
- Ability to communicate patient information and education
Desirable
- Ability to deliver informal and formal lectures at all levels
- Audit experience
- Experience in using spreadsheets and databases
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NMC Level 1 Registration
- BSc/1st degree (Health Related) or equivalent qualification / training and experience
- Post registration course in cancer/palliative care or relevant experience in gastro-enterology
Desirable
- Counselling skills training
- Advanced Communication Skills Training
- Working towards Master's Degree
Experience/ Knowledge
Essential
- Worked specifically with cancer or gastroenterology patient group for at Band 6 level or above, or equivalent
- Expert in nurse-led practice.
- Knowledge of current management of patients with Upper GI cancer.
- Knowledge of current clinical and nursing research related to Upper GI cancers.
Desirable
- Knowledge symptom management in relation to Upper GI cancer
- Knowledge of national guidance relating to Upper GI cancer services and the NHS Cancer Plan.
- Knowledge of neuroendocrine tumours and a specific interest in management of these
Skills
Essential
- Able to communicate empathically and compassionately with patients and families
- Able to work well within a Team and support colleagues with the same degree of compassion and empathy reserved for patients
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a small team, as well as part of the wider multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to prioritise workload achieving a balance between clinical work and other aspects of the post
- Ability to communicate patient information and education
Desirable
- Ability to deliver informal and formal lectures at all levels
- Audit experience
- Experience in using spreadsheets and databases
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Address
Maidstone Hospital & Tunbridge Wells Hospital
Hermitage Lane
Maidstone
ME16 9QQ
Employer's website
https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
