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Job summary

Main area
Cancer Services
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
12 months (12-month fixed term contract)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
344-2520DCB
Employer
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Trustwide
Town
Trustwide
Salary
£47,810 - £54,710 Per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
11/11/2025 23:59

Employer heading

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Non-Specific Symptoms Service Clinical Nurse Specialist

NHS AfC: Band 7

Job overview

We are looking for a B7 Non-Specific Symptoms Nurse Practitioner to join our newly established, growing team at EKHUFT at an exciting time of service development. The Non-Specific Symptom Service provides a 28-day rapid diagnostic pathway for patients presenting with non-specific symptoms suspicious of cancer that do not fit into other existing cancer pathways. Sub specialities within this pathway will include NSS, Malignancy of Unknown Origin (MUO), Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP) and Lymphadenopathy. Through our collaborative approach we aim to deliver the highest standard of accessible and equitable quality care.

A key component is the provision of advanced clinical skills, leadership and expert knowledge in clinical practice and diagnostics. The role contributes to leading service delivery, supporting quality improvement and providing safe and effective advanced specialist level patient care whilst on this cancer pathway.  The speciality is currently in the process of implementing the Aspirant Cancer Career Education and Development Framework (ACCEND) to support practice and career development. 

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work at an enhanced level of practice utilising highly developed post graduate experience, knowledge and skills in the Cancer. They will manage discrete aspects of a patient’s care in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, within their current level of practice and patient group, aligned to the four pillars of advanced practice and aligned to Trust policy, ‘Enhanced, Advanced and Consultant Level Practice- Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs)’.  

 The postholder will also contribute to quality improvement in nursing practice to improve the quality of care to patients.

Working for our organisation

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference’. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for roles Band 5 and above.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Practice

·      The Non-Specific Symptoms Nurse Practitioner will provide specialist advice as a practitioner with enhanced practice skills and knowledge which promotes evidence- based clinical practice.

·      Records objective and accurate patient information utilising paper records and electronic systems appropriately and in accordance with Trust record keeping and information governance policies.

·      The post holder will deliver clinical care in the context of change within a complex healthcare environment, utilising specialist pathways for safe and effective care for patients.

·      They will utilise appropriate models of care delivery, innovation and rapidly evolving technologies using critical analysis and their underpinning knowledge to manage complex interventions.

·      Use their clinical reasoning skills to undertake an in-depth assessment of the presenting problem, interpret findings, develop working and differential diagnoses, formulate, communicate, implement and evaluate management plans.

·      Liaises and collaborates with members of the multi-professional and multidisciplinary team both within the organisation, and with external stakeholders as appropriate.

·      Actively involves patients, families and carers in treatment and encourages / empowers others enabling individuals to assist in their own care and recovery.

·      Examine their role in supporting and enabling individuals to lead meaningful lives, whether or not cure or resolution is possible.

·      Demonstrate sensitivity to the significance of individuals background, identity, culture values and experience for how their cancer condition impact on their life, recognising the expertise that Individuals bring to managing their own care.

·      Ensure practice is aligned to the Aspirant Cancer Career Education and Development framework.

Leadership

·      Provide credible role modelling and expertise to nurses in relation to the care of patient’s on cancer pathways and diagnosed oncology patients.

·      Use critical self-awareness of their own values, beliefs, prejudices, assumption and stereotypes to mitigate the impact of these in how they interact with others.

·      Work collaboratively to support delivery of the nursing ambitions.

·      Actively involve others in communications between patients, their families and the multi-professional team, supporting advanced communication at all times.

·      Work collaboratively with patient forums and multi-disciplinary team to develop practice to meet the needs of the local population and support the strategic direction of the service.

·      Is actively involved in monitoring standards of care and feedback from patients, their families and carers and engages with people with cancer to improve and co-produce persons centred quality services

·      Acts as a nursing advocate and provides expert advice to patients, families and carers.

·      Utilises evidence based clinical practice contributing to service development and pathways of care.

Facilitating Learning

·      Work collaboratively with senior nursing/consultant oncologist colleagues and wider multi-disciplinary team to contribute to acute oncology education, training and evaluation of learning.

·      Teach and advise patients and their families/carers on how to manage their condition and support the multi-disciplinary and multi-professional team in patient focused education.

·      Provide highly developed advice within clinical nursing practice and undertake training to further develop enhanced skills and maintain clinical credibility.

·      Work collaboratively to ensure the environment within the clinical area is conducive to education and learning, encouraging feedback and learning opportunities.

·      Participate in the annual training needs analysis for the Non-Specific Symptoms specialty and the Care Group, working with the, multi-professional colleagues and practice development team.

·      Participate in the A Equip supervision model aligned to Trust supervision policies utilising restorative practice as a tool for reflective learning and provide mentoring and supervision of others as appropriate.

·      Maintain personal and professional development, maintaining and continually developing clinical skills to provide high quality care aligned to Trust policies, NMC guidelines and revalidation requirements.

·      Be willing to complete the acute oncology passport.

·      Align practice with the Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development (ACCEND) Programme Core Capabilities in Practice (CiP) at level

Evidence, Research and Evaluation

·      Work collaboratively promoting effective use of audit to ensure a safe environment for patients, families, carers and multi-professional colleagues.

·      Participate in clinical research projects to develop cancer practice and contribute to the implementation of change and quality improvements

·      Contribute to the development and updating of practice protocols/guidelines and procedures in the Non-Specific Symptoms Service.

·      Proactively participate in CQC assessments, other external assessments and reviews as required.

·      Be conversant with national and local reports, policies and initiatives which impact on the care of Non-Specific Symptoms service/Acute Oncology inpatients.

·      Assess complex problems and incidents which may require escalation, investigation, analysis and actions to support patient and staff safety.

·      Contribute to analysing and presenting data and information to inform comprehensive quality reports.

Participate in quality improvement projects with colleagues, to support evidence based, innovative practice.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • • Current NMC/HCPC registration, • Formal teaching or mentoring qualification including ENB 998/997, or equivalent. • Health related degree relevant to professional registration and area of clinical practice or holds L6 post registration modules with plan to complete degree programme. • Evidence of continuing professional development within cancer specialty • Completion of clinical and physical examination
Desirable criteria
  • • Master’s Degree in a health related subject relevant to area of clinical practice or prepared to study at Master/L7 • Non-medical prescribing Master’s level • NHS Leadership Academy qualification • SACT L6/L7 • Advanced communication skills training • Psychological level 2 training

clinical skills

Essential criteria
  • • Significant postgraduate healthcare experience equivalent to L7 demonstrating professional development across the four pillars of practice • Significant experience of care of the cancer patient. • Experience of working with patients/service users to resolve concerns and improve their experience. • Evidence of effective networking or matrix working • Experience of supervising staff and delivering training • Advanced clinical assessment skills
Desirable criteria
  • • Experience of assessing patients and developing specialised programmes of care • Experience of presenting to groups of staff/public • Motivational interviewing training

Governance

Essential criteria
  • • Understanding of quality governance, patient safety and patient experience tools to support clinical practice and service improvement. • Sound knowledge and understanding of national policy and guidance • Utilisation of clinical effectiveness tools to deliver quality improvement e.g. risk management and clinical audit. • Evidence of innovative practice utilising research and audit. • Experience of contributing to quality improvement in safety/quality improvement projects. • Experience of writing reports and presenting to teams or small groups
Desirable criteria
  • • Experience of implementing and evaluating improvements in care

Personal

Essential criteria
  • • Ability to work within a team to achieving goals for a shared vision. • Evidence of service development and delivery in practice. • Knowledge of health policy and application to practice. • Ability to problem solve, anticipate and plan, individually and within a team. • Demonstrate self-awareness and critical reflection

Other

Essential criteria
  • • Flexibility in working patterns to meet the needs of the service • Commitment to equity and diversity • Self-motivated, positive, adaptable and flexible approach

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion is the leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion in the workplace.Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei) is the UK's leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion issues in the workplace.Prince's Trust - Proud to support the Prince's trust - Youth can do itStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Claire Whiteley
Job title
Lead Nurse Practitioner
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07875 701111
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