Job overview
We are looking to recruit an experienced Pain Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) band 7, to join our friendly and forward thinking team at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust on a fixed term contract for 12 months.
Are you an enthusiastic and motivated Pain CNS with acute and chronic pain experience, looking to further develop and drive forward service changes? We can offer you a range of experience in an integrated and supportive multi disciplinary team.
If you are interested in applying for this role, we would love to hear from you. For further details and/or to arrange an informal visit. Contact Lead Nurse Nikki Wetson mobile: 07355 023329 or Julie Cook, Pain CNS team on 01892 635079/ 01622 225698
Main duties of the job
You will actively participate and lead where appropriate the provision of pain management in the Trust.
You will ensure patients receive the highest standards of clinical care underpinned by evidence-based practice. The role encompasses all aspects of acute and chronic pain working in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. You will demonstrate a high level of expertise and knowledge in pain management, providing advice, education and support to staff, patients, families and carers. This will include managing complex pain patients through expert assessment, knowledge and skills to provide individualised holistic pain management plans.
You will be responsible for contributing and leading on the development of clinical practice and standards of care within the service including the development of policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines. You will identify and lead on areas of development within the service in collaboration with members of the integrated pain service.
You will develop and provide educational programmes and training for staff and patients. You will deputise for the Lead Nurse/ ward manager for the chronic pain unit (CPU) as required.
Working for our organisation
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:
• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We’ve 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 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.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Registered Nurse with current valid NMC level 1 registration
2. First level degree in nursing
3. Mentorship course, or teaching and assessing qualification
4. Post registration study in pain EFIC or Pain University module
5. NMP or willingness to work towards
Desirable criteria
6. Specialist Masters level education in pain management/ACP or willingness to work towards
7. Enhanced assessment skills course
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
8. Demonstrates extensive post registration clinical experience at Band 6
9. Significant clinical experience as Band 6 Pain CNS
10. Recent post registration experience in an acute surgical/recovery/critical care setting dealing with patients with PCA/epidural and local anaesthetic infusions
11. Demonstrates clinical knowledge and experience of managing patients with acute and chronic pain.
12. Evidence of continued post registration training and education excluding mandatory training
13. Previous experience of formal and informal teaching of patients
Desirable criteria
14. Evidence of presenting at local, regional and national level
15. Experience in audit and standard setting
16. Skills in critical analysis and application of research in practice
Skills
Essential criteria
17. Excellent verbal, written and presentation communication skills
18. Ability to act as mentor, appraiser and teacher to a multidisciplinary work force
19. IT skills
20. Effective decision-making skills
21. Ability to critically review and communicate clinical information
22. Specialist clinical knowledge and skills in pain management
23. Evidence of ability to lead and practice at or toward an advanced level of practice
Desirable criteria
24. Experience of developing standards, guidelines and polices