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
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
- 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
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
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).
