Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist

Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist

The closing date is 02 April 2026

The Trust is looking to recruit a trained Nurse Colposcopist to lead our service with BSCCP colposcopy accreditation. We are looking for an enthusiastic and knowledgeable candidate who will utilise the skills of leadership, clinical expertise, evidence based practice and innovation to facilitate and deliver care which is patient centred, safe, and effective.

The post holder will be expected to lead by example, motivate others and deliver high standards of care. You will work closely with the lead clinician to improve operational efficiency and enhance the performance of the colposcopy service.

The successful candidate will be part of a skilled team of consultants and nurse specialists that aim to support the Trust and the Gynaecology Service in delivering the standards set out by the NHS Cervical screening Programme and BSCCP. As an individual, you will act as expert in this specialist area of Colposcopy and must have experience in the wider gynaecology service. We would also be happy to consider dual trained applicants who wish to work across areas of interest, for example hysteroscopy.

Main duties of the job

The Clinical Nurse Specialist for Colposcopy will work in partnership with the named Lead Consultant to deliver clinical objectives for the Gynaecology and Colposcopy services. As an accredited nurse Colposcopist, you will act as an autonomous practitioner in undertaking diagnostic and therapeutic clinic sessions, taking responsibility and accountability for appropriate clinical management and care programmes. The post holder is responsible for the standards and evaluation of training and supervision of nursing staff within the unit.

About us

The Trust's services are provided from three locations:

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery.

Job responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website -

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Person Specification Qualifications

• RN/RSCN Diploma or Degree
• NMC Registered
• Management Qualification (ISM) or relevant management experience
• Extensive experience at senior level/ leadership role
• MSc in Health, Quality or leadership related or working towards within 2 academic years of appointment ? or equivalent
• Colposcopy Accreditation
• Non-medical prescribing or working towards within 2 academic years of appointment
• Recognised teaching/assessing qualification 998/997 /mentorship
• Trained in Advanced Life Support
• Continuous Professional Development portfolio
• A recognised qualification in cancer or Urology nursing e.g ENB A11 or ENB N09

Knowledge and Experience

• Knowledge of advanced clinical, psychological, and social needs of patients accessing our colposcopy services
• Good understanding of strategic health economy targets for the delivery of gynaecology services
• Good knowledge of national and local targets, NICE Guidelines and policies in relation to gynaecology care
• A clear understanding of current national cancer policy and the implications for practice and the development of colposcopy services.
• Evidence of prior senior clinical decision making
• Evidence of recent research and audit Evidence of change management and/or innovative practice
• Advanced communication training
• Experience of leading patient involvement/patient feedback

Skills and Abilities

• Development of analytical and judgmental skills
• Capability in computer skills
• Ability to communicate at all levels
• Research /audit skills
• Self-reliant, self-motivated proactive personality
• Flexible to meet the needs of the service
• Acknowledgement of limitations in practice
• Commitment to own professional development

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust