Job overview
We are looking for applicants with experience in Straight to test pathways for MTW Faster Diagnostic Service. This secondment opportunity is open to internal applicants for maternity leave cover.
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust are looking for experienced nurses to join our team of Nurse Specialists (NS) in the delivery of the Faster Diagnosis Standard (28 days) .
We are looking for curious and inquisitive Registered Nurses, who possess excellent assessment skills, who are keen to fill a vital role in helping patients navigate their potential cancer diagnosis. This role provides an innovative and way to use your knowledge and skills to really make a difference to patients’ lives.
This service provides early triage of referrals and rapid review of results, in order to support the delivery of the Faster Diagnosis Standard and to ensure appropriate onward referral, discharge or requests for surveillance, as necessary. This post requires an enthusiastic candidate who with excellent communication skills in order to work collaboratively and liaise effectively with the multi-disciplinary teams and to strive to provide high standards of care. Also, to ensure that our patients a are supported and cared for to a standard that ensures excellent patient experience and clinical outcomes.
Main duties of the job
The position would suit a self-starter who is highly motivated and dedicated to their role and their own personal/professional development. You will be working with a high level of autonomy within the supportive team, so it will be beneficial to have extensive experience as a Band 5 or senior nurse.
Ideal candidates will have experience in cancer care and broad nursing experience e.g. AAU, general surgery / medicine. and straight to test pathways.
This role requires a unique set of skills – a clear, confident communicator and a good listener, able to build an early rapport with patients and assess them holistically to better understand their current clinical condition.
As an integral member of this specialist team, you will collaborate with primary and secondary care, clinical and operational teams. To ensure that those referred to the service receive timely, safe and effective diagnostic pathway care, in compliance with the current 28 and 62 day standard for Cancer Wait Times (CWT).
You will be expected to work autonomously, undertaking holistic telephone assessments for patients referred to the FDS. You will then directly support these patients, to ensure that they receive quality care during the diagnostic phase of the suspected cancer pathway.
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.
to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
1. At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
2. Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
3. Blue Light card eligibility
4. 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
5. NMC Level 1 Registration
6. BSc/1st degree (Health Related) or equivalent qualification / training and experience
7. Demonstrates professional updating of knowledge in the past two years.
Desirable criteria
8. Training within a specialist area, e.g. Urology/ Oncology
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
9. Experience of working with cancer patients
10. Experience / Understanding of cancer pathways
11. Experience working at Registered Nurse level in a cancer or surgical speciality
12. Knowledge of current NHS and professional issues
13. Knowledge of clinical governance issues e.g. risk management
14. Experience in Change management
15. Mentorship / education / supervisory experience
16. Wide range of nursing experience in a multi-speciality area
17. Knowledge about medical conditions, different medications and the usage and side effects
Desirable criteria
18. Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams
19. Evidence of research based skills in clinical practice
20. Service development experience
Skills
Essential criteria
21. Good communication skills, written and verbal
22. Good organisational skills
23. Negotiation skills
24. Working to targets
25. Good time management
26. IT: fast accurate keyboard skills, can type whilst on telephone, experience in databases, spreadsheets.
27. Ability to deal with distressing circumstances
Desirable criteria
28. Report writing skills