Main area FDS/Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist Grade Band 7 Contract 12 months (Fixed term) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 210-2025-885
Employer Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Countess of Chester Hospital Town Chester Salary £47,810 - £54,710 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 11/02/2026 23:59
Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist
Band 7
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.
Job overview
Working Full time: 37.5 hours per week
This specialist nursing post will provide clinical support, expert care and clinical leadership to support patients with suspected cancer, provide improved care and support for patients on a cancer pathway (TWR / 28 day pathway) support the faster diagnosis and improved outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer work with the Colorectal Team, the Clinical Nurse Specialists positively impact on the experience of patients and carers by providing high standards of clinical practice and care as appropriate across the trust.
The senior CNS possesses expertise in clinical risk evaluation, change management and the provision of educational support to patients, carers and colleagues across organisational and professional boundaries.
The post holder will be expected to demonstrate a higher level of practice in both her/his direct care of patients and in her/his ability to plan and develop services to support patient care. Utilising the skills of leadership, clinical expertise, evidence based practice and innovation the post holder will facilitate and deliver care which is patient centred, safe, and effective.
The post holder may be required to work on other wards/ departments within the Trust at short notice in the event of hospital pressures/major civilian disaster.
Main duties of the job
1. To plan/organise/manage a defined patient caseload, be accountable for professional actions, and to work on own initiative without direct supervision.
2. To work as a specialist, autonomous practitioner and use expert clinical decision-making skills.
3.To provide nurse-led clinics according to service requirements
4.To follow existing guidelines/policies for assessment and delivery of care, and develop, with the team, new guidelines/policies as required.
5.To ensure effective communication is maintained both written and verbally, regarding patients, through close liaison with professional colleagues, both in primary and secondary care, and to develop working relationships with consultants, general practitioners and other support services.
6.To demonstrate the ability to manage stressful and conflicting situations professionally, as they arise.
7. To ensure that all requirements for continuing professional development are met and to keep abreast of new advances in the field of Colorectal as appropriate.
Working for our organisation
The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:
* The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
* Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
* Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.
The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person specification
Skills and Abilities
* Able to manage own workload and co-ordinate that of others.
* Basic IT skills in word processing/Hospital Systems
* Able to present written information in a logical manner
* Ability to communicate in a variety of settings with patients of varying levels of understanding.
* Ability to communicate sensitive information.
* Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organisation
* Presentation / teaching skills
Qualification
* RN/RSCN Diploma or Degree
* NMC Registered
* MSc Advanced Practice/Clinical Masters or working towards within 2 academic years of appointment
* Recognised teaching/assessing qualification 998/997 /mentorship
* Relevant specialty related qualification/module
* Trained in Advanced Life Support
* Continuous Professional Development port folio
Knowledge and Experience
* Speciality knowledge and experience
* Basic knowledge of financial management within the clinical setting.
* Knowledge of professional and NHS issues and an understanding of corporate objectives.
* To complete the Trust toolkit competencies
* Relevant Post Registration clinical experience
* Initiation and implementation of change
* CNS mentorship and development
* Countess 20:20 Leadership Programme
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.
The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.
Overseas Candidates
The Department of Health and Social Care has released a new publication to support overseas candidates looking to work in health and care in the UK.
The new guidance provides information on the recruitment process that candidates should expect when applying for work in the UK. Please follow the below link:
Applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Overseas candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a CoS for the post by assessing their circumstances against criteria specified on the Visas and immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.
From 6 April 2017, Tier 2 / skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, must 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 dependent's (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
#J-18808-Ljbffr