Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

In partnership with members of the multidisciplinary Haematology team, the post holder will develop, implement, and evaluate a seamless specialist service, ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of clinical care. They will act as a lead specialist, demonstrating a high level of expertise within the CNS service, providing specialist advice, education, and support to patients, their carers/relatives, and healthcare professionals. The post holder will actively undertake clinical audits and research within the specialist area.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will contribute to the ongoing development of clinical practice, research, and standards of care within the service. This includes developing policies, protocols, and guidelines, and contributing to service developments in collaboration with multidisciplinary colleagues, including peer review. They will also ensure the safety and well-being of service users, promoting dignity and human rights through person-centered care principles.

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. It offers planned care, including 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 review the criteria in the person specification and include specific examples in your application demonstrating how you meet these requirements. 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, which now includes checks against vulnerable adults and children.

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date has been agreed.

Following your corporate induction, you will 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 involves travel to both Trust sites. It includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom sessions, and e-learning.

Person specification

Qualifications

• BSc/1st degree (Health Related) or equivalent qualification/training and experience
• Post registration course in cancer/palliative care
• SACT Training
• Counselling skills training
• Advanced Communication Skills Training
• Working towards Master’s Degree

Experience/Knowledge

• Expert in nurse-led practice
• Knowledge of current management of patients and research related to haematology cancers
• Knowledge of national guidance relating to Haematology cancer services and the NHS Cancer Plan.

Skills

• Able to communicate empathically and compassionately with patients and families
• Able to work well within a team and support colleagues with the same compassion and empathy reserved for patients
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a small and wider multidisciplinary team
• Ability to prioritise workload, balancing clinical work and other responsibilities
• Ability to communicate patient information and education effectively
• Ability to undertake bone marrow aspirations independently
• Ability to deliver informal and formal lectures at all levels