Job summaryMaidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced clinical leader to join our new Lung Cancer Screening Programme as Clinical Director.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead the strategic development of the Lung Cancer Screening Programme across West Kent. The programme plays a key role in the early detection of lung cancer, improving patient outcomes through timely diagnosis and reducing health inequalities in our local population.
The Clinical Director will provide clinical leadership, governance oversight, and strategic direction for the programme, working closely with multidisciplinary teams, primary and secondary care colleagues, the Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance, NHS England, and other system partners. The post holder will ensure that the programme is delivered safely, effectively, and in line with national standards and best practice.
A key aspect of the role will be leading engagement with General Practice and Primary Care teams to support programme uptake, promote awareness of lung cancer screening, and strengthen collaborative working across the screening pathway. As many of the programme's participants are identified through primary care, the successful candidate will play an important role in developing strong relationships with GPs and Primary Care Networks across the region.
The role would particularly suit a General Practitioner with an interest in cancer, early diagnosis, population health, and screening programmes.
Main duties of the job- Provide strategic clinical leadership for the Lung Cancer Screening Programme.
- Ensure delivery of a safe, effective, and high-quality screening service in line with NHS England standards.
- Chair and contribute to programme governance and steering group meetings.
- Lead clinical oversight of screening pathways, quality assurance, and patient safety.
- Act as a clinical ambassador for the programme across the health system.
- Lead engagement with General Practice, Primary Care Networks, and wider stakeholders to maximise participation and support programme development.
- Work collaboratively with the Responsible Assessor, Responsible Radiologist, Responsible Clinician, Cancer Alliance, radiology, respiratory, and cancer teams.
- Support service development, innovation, quality improvement, and reduction of health inequalities.
- Oversee programme performance, audit, evaluation, and reporting requirements.
About usMaidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is one of the best performing hospital trusts in England. We are regularly in the top five for emergency department performance and offer some of the fastest access to cancer treatment in the country.
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 7,000 staff we provide specialist cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
We operate from three main clinical sites: Maidstone Hospital, Tunbridge Wells Hospital and Fordcombe Hospital, and provide outpatient clinics across Kent and East Sussex.
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
DetailsDate posted: 25 August 2026
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £104,401 to £115,341 a year
per annum pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 2 years
Working pattern: Flexible working
Reference number: 359-MSD8179917CAN
Job locations: Maidstone Hospital, Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, ME16 9QQ, United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesWeve 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). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date has been agreed.
As part of your induction, you will be required to attend face-to-face training sessions and/or complete e-learning modules relevant to your role. If you have previously worked for another NHS organisation before joining Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW), we can transfer eligible mandatory training records where appropriate, helping to avoid unnecessary duplication of learning.
Person SpecificationQualifications, Experience, KnowledgeEssential- Registered Healthcare Professional with current registration with the appropriate professional body (GMC, NMC, HCPC or equivalent)
- Evidence of continuing professional development and maintenance of professional registration
- Significant experience working at senior clinician level within the NHS
- Minimum of three years' experience working in a senior clinical leadership role or equivalent
- Significant experience of leading and delivering service improvement, transformation programmes, or strategic projects
- Understanding of lung cancer pathways, early diagnosis initiatives and screening programmes
Desirable- Experience of working with Cancer Alliances, NHS England, Integrated Care Boards or national programmes
SkillsEssential- Proven strategic leadership skills
- Excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills
- Ability to chair multidisciplinary and multi-agency meetings effectively
- Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
- Ability to lead change and influence practice across organisational boundaries
Desirable- Experience of presenting at regional or national forums
AttributesEssential- Strong commitment to patient-centred care and improving outcomes
- Demonstrates visible and credible clinical leadership
- Acts with integrity, openness and professionalism
- Highly motivated and self-directed
- Resilient and able to work under pressure within a complex healthcare environment
- Flexible and adaptable approach to service development and transformation
- Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation
Desirable- Experience as a clinical mentor, coach or leadership facilitator
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.
Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. 
