Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen due to expansion of the Acute Oncology Service at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to support 7-Day Acute Oncology Service and first phase of Acute Oncology SDECC. We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and compassionate nurse, with a strong work ethic, to join our Acute Oncology Team to cover a maternity leave for 12 months.
This post will specialise in caring for patients admitted acutely unwell with suspicion of a new or known cancer diagnosis, complications of treatment and/or complications of disease.
The main purpose of the role will be to provide expert nursing leadership to support nursing and medical colleagues to facilitate a professional seamless service across the Acute Trust for oncology patients presentingacutely to the Emergency Department with problems related to their cancer or treatment, specialising in new diagnosis within an emergency setting.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced nurse, already working at senior Band 6 or 7 role, with extensive knowledge/experience in acute medicine, emergency department and oncology nursing. Due to the complex nature of cancer,we are looking for someone with previous oncology experience and ideally a broad knowledge of patients admitted with complications of disease and complication of SACTs.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as part of the Acute Oncology Team but will work independently to organise and maintain a high quality and cost-effective Clinical Nurse Specialist service for patients admitted acutely unwell to the trust, with a suspicion of a new cancer diagnosis in need for further investigation and treatment.
In addition, to this role the post holder will be an integral part of the acute oncology team and support 7-day Acute Oncology service as required.
They will work alongside the acute medical teams on both hospital sites, contributing to the delivery and evaluation of evidence-based patient care throughout the appropriate treatment pathway. They will have responsibilities for assessing the clinical and holistic needs of the patient, liaising with the oncology team and the wider multidisciplinary teams across the Trust's sites to promote coordinated care. Ensuring EHNAs completed to support holistic needs and personalised care.
The post holder will be responsible for planning and organising their own caseload. They will have the opportunity to develop their organisational and clinical skills and will be expected to participate in managing the administration associated with the service.
The role will be innovative and encompass all aspects of the patient care pathway, acting as a nurse adviser and support to patients and families with cancer of unknown primary, giving supporting information and assistance to carers both within the formal/informal setting.
About us
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.
Job description
Job 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 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.
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.
Job description
Job 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 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.
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
- NMC Level 1 Registration in Adult Nursing
- Post registration qualification
- First level degree
- SACT training
Desirable
- Willing to work towards MSc level
- Post registration qualification in cancer/palliative care
- Teaching qualification
- Advanced Communication Skills
- Clinical Assessment Skills training
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Worked with cancer/palliative care patient groups
- Ability to deal with stressful situations.
- Expert in nurse led practice
- Excellent teaching and training skills
- Able to problem solve and initiate change
- Able to work across professional team and organisational boundaries
Desirable
- Experience of acute medical/emergency department nursing
- Experience of breaking bad news.
- Sound knowledge of palliative care emergencies and the management of these.
Skills
Essential
- Proven ability to communicate with patients suffering life threatening illness and those who may be imminently dying.
- Proven ability to communicate with personnel outside immediate work environments
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NMC Level 1 Registration in Adult Nursing
- Post registration qualification
- First level degree
- SACT training
Desirable
- Willing to work towards MSc level
- Post registration qualification in cancer/palliative care
- Teaching qualification
- Advanced Communication Skills
- Clinical Assessment Skills training
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Worked with cancer/palliative care patient groups
- Ability to deal with stressful situations.
- Expert in nurse led practice
- Excellent teaching and training skills
- Able to problem solve and initiate change
- Able to work across professional team and organisational boundaries
Desirable
- Experience of acute medical/emergency department nursing
- Experience of breaking bad news.
- Sound knowledge of palliative care emergencies and the management of these.
Skills
Essential
- Proven ability to communicate with patients suffering life threatening illness and those who may be imminently dying.
- Proven ability to communicate with personnel outside immediate work environments
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
