Job overview
An opportunity has arisen for a full-time fixed term OR secondment position of a Gastroenterology Nurse Specialist to join our very successful Inflammatory Bowel Disease Service.
The post holder will be trained up by this well-established nurse-led service which involves managing complex patients, biologics and advice lines and undertaking nurse led clinics. The post holder will work collaboratively with the other IBD Specialist nurses within the trust and will therefore need strong leadership skills and be able to work autonomously.
The post holder will be key in supporting the Gastroenterology Consultants and the service, working in partnership with patients and other health care professionals to ensure patients are receiving the best care and support with their condition and streamlining the patient’s pathway. This will include using advanced judgement and knowledge of the speciality, and to be able to lead and show innovative nursing practice within inflammatory bowel disease within the trust and also through local networks.
The successful candidate must have previous experience of working in the field of gastroenterology and have held a band 6 position. This role will include managing a patient caseload, receiving referrals, carrying out advice line support and running nurse-led clinics. The post holder will need to be computer literate and have the ability to use IT systems.
Main duties of the job
This role will require you to work cross-site at both Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital to enable integration into both teams on both sites.
The post holder will need to work within the gastroenterology multi-disciplinary team providing specialist nursing care to a defined group of patients with Inflammatory Bowel conditions using clearly defined protocols.
The role will involve correspondence with other health care professionals in primary and secondary care, therefore strong written and communication skills are desirable.
The post-holder will need to be able to work autonomously, however be able to escalate concerns or seek clinical guidance when appropriate and will be supported by the Gastroenterology team.
The role will also involve patient education in the form of teaching sessions, to empower patients with the knowledge to manage their conditions. At times you may also be required to support nursing and ward staff, and will promote awareness, implementation and adherence of trust, national and professional polices.
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 and 2024 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.
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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 & 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
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
1. Post registration experience.
2. Gastro ward / practice experience, at band 6 level.
3. Ability to work independently and as part of a team
4. A working knowledge of IBD conditions
5. Knowledge of IBD specialist clinical treatments and technology
6. Gather, analyse and report a limited range of data and information
7. Experience of clinical supervision and mentoring junior staff/nursing students
8. Able to demonstrate understanding and empathy
9. To contribute to the development of policies and protocols to improve patient care.
Desirable criteria
10. Knowledge of NSF and NICE Guidance for IBD
11. Willingness to learn and acquire skills, training to meet needs of service.
12. Experience of teaching and presenting
13. Knowledge of Gastroenterology / Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Qualifications
Essential criteria
14. Level 1 NMC Registered Nurse
15. Relevant post registration qualification
16. Diploma/Degree in Nursing
17. Teaching experience/ qualification or willingness to undertake
18. Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
19. Mentorship qualification or willingness to undertake
20. Counselling qualification or willingness to undertake
21. Non-Medical Independent Prescriber/ Willingness to undertake.
22. Post registration education relevant to the post/gastrointestinal nursing
Skills
Essential criteria
23. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
24. Computer literacy.
25. Good clinical assessment skills or willingness to develop these
26. Good listening, observational and interpretive skills.
27. Demonstrate effective teaching skills
28. Excellent interpersonal skills
29. Have awareness of own limitations and when to seek advice from senior members of the team
Desirable criteria
30. Experience of undertaking audits.
31. Project management
32. Effective presentation skills