Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity for a 6 month secondment to work as a CNS within the melanoma MDT team at Kent Oncology Centre, MTW
Are you a Band 7 nurse, or equivalent, looking for a new challenge, learning opportunity or a Band 6 nurse, or equivalent, seeking to progress and specialise in oncology? Do you want to work as part of a specialist team continually striving to deliver the best possible standards of care? If you are interested in making a difference for our oncology patients and joining our team for this secondment, please apply.
We are currently looking for a compassionate, motivated and enthusiastic nurse to join us in the role of Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialist with a role dedicated to melanoma and supporting research as required.
You will bring a wide range of experience and expertise including excellent communication skills and be committed to work as part of a team providing individualised, holistic patient centred care to this patient group at a really challenging time.
Main duties of the job
This new secondment post enables the sucessful candidate to work as a Clinical Nurse Specialist to ensure patients with melanoma have access to the best treatment for their individual diagnosis; whether this is a licensed treatment or a clinical trial. The Melanoma Clinical Nurse Specialist will support the delivery of melanoma research studies across the Trust. They will also be responsible for their own case load of research studies which they will consent and recruit patients to. The post holder will act as a resource to patients and multi-professional colleagues and building effective working relationships with other, departments and organisations. The post holder will be required to work closely with the wider research and innovation team, in driving forward the Trust research strategy.
You will work closely with and as part of, a multi-disciplinary team which includes Oncologists, Surgeons, Therapeutic Radiographers, community colleagues and administrative staff to ensure the delivery of a dynamic, seamless and compassionate service. You will support patients, their families and supporters to maximise their quality of life from the point of diagnosis throughout their cancer pathway.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is a large acute hospital Trust in the county of Kent.
The Trust provides a full range of general hospital services and some areas of specialist complex care to around 760,000 people living in the south part of West Kent and the north part of East Sussex.
The Trust’s core catchment areas are Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells and their surrounding boroughs. We work from two main clinical sites: Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury. Tunbridge Wells Hospital opened in 2011 and provides single rooms with en-suites for all in-patients – the first of its kind in the country.
We employ more than 7,000 full and part-time staff in a huge range of clinical and non-clinical roles across both of our hospital sites.
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.
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.
Interview Date: To be confirmed.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. NMC Level 1 Registered nurse
2. Undergraduate degree in related subject
Desirable criteria
3. Working towards Masters degree or a post-graduate qualification
4. Post-registration training and/or qualification in oncology/skin cancer
Experience
Essential criteria
5. Worked specifically with cancer or oncology patient group for at Band 6 level or above, or equivalent
6. Expert in nurse-led practice
7. Knowledge of current management of patients with melanoma
8. Knowledge of current clinical and nursing research related to melanoma malignancy
Desirable criteria
9. Knowledge symptom management in relation to melanoma
10. Knowledge of national guidance relating to melanoma oncology services and the NHS Cancer Plan.
Skills
Essential criteria
11. Able to communicate empathically and compassionately with patients and families
12. Able to work well within a Team and support colleagues with the same degree of compassion and empathy reserved for patients
13. Excellent communication and organisational skills
14. Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a small team, as well as part of the wider multi-disciplinary team
15. Ability to prioritise workload achieving a balance between clinical work and other aspects of the post
16. Aility to communicate patient information and education
Desirable criteria
17. Experience of Holistic Assessments such as EHNAs
18. Ability to deliver informal and formal lectures at all levels
19. Experience in using spreadsheets and databases