Bowel Cancer Screening Specialist Practitioner

TN United Kingdom; Chichester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is seeking dedicated nurses to join their team as Bowel Cancer Screening Specialist Practitioners. This role involves conducting nurse-led clinics, assessing patients, and providing essential information for those undergoing endoscopic investigations. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, a commitment to patient care, and the ability to work flexibly within a multidisciplinary team. With a focus on continuous learning and development, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the field of bowel cancer screening.

Benefits

Wellbeing Programme

Diversity Networks

Training and Development Opportunities

Buddy System for New Employees

Qualifications

• NMC registered Level 1 trained nurse with experience in managing own workload.
• Evidence of training at Band 6 level and role within Colorectal field.

Responsibilities

• Undertake nurse-led clinics including patient assessment and provision of information.
• Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure quality patient care.

Skills

Patient Assessment

Communication Skills

Clinical Decision Making

Team Collaboration

Flexibility

Education

NMC Registered Nurse

Band 6 Experience

Job description

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Bowel Cancer Screening Specialist Practitioner, Chichester

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Client:

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Location:

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

e58b2a8142e4

Job Views:

10

Posted:

26.04.2025

Expiry Date:

10.06.2025

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Job Description:

Job overview

We are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated nurses to join and work alongside our other experienced Specialist Screening Practitioners (SSP).

You will be responsible for undertaking nurse led clinics including patient assessment, provision of information and preparation of those undergoing endoscopic investigation. The applicants should be highly motivated and flexible in their approach to work with excellent communication skills.

You will be able to make clinically informed decisions to manage patients, utilising assessment skills and communications with multi-disciplinary team (Lead SSPs, SSPs, endoscopy team, colorectal team, pathology, radiology and cancer services in the trust) to provide a safe journey for the patient through the screening pathway and possible onward referral.

The ability to be flexible & organised in the workplace with a passion for delivering a quality and successful service is essential. Induction, training and ongoing development will be supported by the team and Lead Screening Practitioner. We are looking for a committed, enthusiastic, innovative and flexible individual with the ability to prioritise a potentially demanding and diverse workflow and to work on his/her own initiative and as a member of a growing team.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will play a pivotal role in supporting the BCSP by working collaboratively with the Programme Hub, working closely as part of the team, co-ordinating and providing care from the screening centre to address the needs of individuals arising as a consequence of the screening programme. Required to work alongside other clinical colleagues in this area and across into the community and primary care to ensure quality of care to the patients is maximised. This will include the development of information standards and education programmes through involvement with health promotion activities with all sections of the community.

The successful applicant will be expected to complete the Screening Practitioner's course at Liverpool John Moores University within the first 12 months of coming into post - This is a mandatory requirement for the role and includes a residential element. The post holder will be a first level registered nurse with evidence of post registration experience and professional development.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a
buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• To work autonomously using specialist skills and knowledge to determine best pathway of care for bowel screening patients.
• To provide specialist information to assist patients in managing their treatment options.
• Ensure timely access to screening flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy or alternative diagnostic intervention and seamless transition to agreed pathways in primary, secondary, tertiary or out-patient settings, during all stages of the screening pathway.
• To utilise highly specialist knowledge in assistant patients in managing treatment side effects.
• To develop an information standard and embed in practice.
• Maintain accountability and responsibility in all areas of practice, including excellent documentation and recording of information.
• Provide specialist, expert clinical knowledge to clinical colleagues, patients and carers/relatives.
• Delivering Specialist pre-assessment clinics following a patient positive Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) using their specialist knowledge.
• During pre-assessment clinic post holder will discuss potential reasons for abnormal result and assess patient’s suitability for colonoscopy and bowel preparations.
• Discuss complex facts and prepare the patient for a possible cancer diagnosis, informing them of the potential benefits and risks involved in colonoscopy screening.
• Post holder will need to ensure:

- Timely access to screening colonoscopy or radiological diagnostics and seamless transition to agreed pathways.

- Liaison with local colorectal cancer MDT in order to ensure that when cancer is detected, there is timely presentation and transfer of patients to the MDT following Trust protocol.

- Perform comprehensive assessment of patient needs, plan, implement and evaluate care according to BCSP.

- Patient records are completed (electronic and paper) to include data on treatment, staging and outcomes which will be provided by the multi-disciplinary care teams

• Establish effective links with local colorectal cancer multi-disciplinary teams in order to ensure that when cancer is detected, there is timely presentation and transfer of patients to the multi-disciplinary team.
• Breaking bad news to patients following their colonoscopy, discussing the findings and explaining what happens next on their pathway.
• Present during each colonoscopy procedure to provide reassurance to the patient and collect an extensive pre-defined dataset, inputting information onto the Bowel Cancer Screening System (BCSS)
• Populate and maintain the BCSP National database.
• Participate in ongoing data collection and quality assurance, service feedback and audit with particular responsibility for the follow-up of patients at 30 days.
• Perform comprehensive assessment of patient needs, plan, implement and evaluate care according to BCSP.
• Collect, collate, evaluate and report information, maintaining accurate patient records.
• Act as a key participant in the health promotion programme adopted by the BCS team

People Management and Development

• Support the provision of helpline services run from the Hub by resolving queries referred by them to the screening centre.
• Ensure patient records for the screening services are completed to include data on treatment, staging and outcomes provided by the multi-disciplinary team.
• Maintain professional competence and support that of other staff within the BCSP.
• Support the Lead Specialist Screening Practitioner and Programme Manager in the development of performance to the National Screening Programme, strategic groups and the wider health community.
• Contribute to the business and strategic planning for the BCSP.
• Provide specialist, expert knowledge to clinical colleagues, patients and carers/relatives.
• Work collaboratively with other health professionals and organisations.
• Evaluate service delivery, identify areas for improvement and initiate change.
• Travel between all clinic and endoscopy sites to ensure equity and timeliness of service delivery.

Service Delivery and Improvement

• In addition to SSP duties the post holder will assist the Lead SSP and Programme Manager in the planning, organisation and maintenance for delivery of the programme ensuring waiting list targets are met, where necessary.
• Ensure that clinical risks are identified, reported and managed within the department and adhere to local clinical governance policies.
• Identify need for, and undertake, research, clinical audit and benchmarking in order to improve effectiveness of patient care.
• Disseminate research and audit findings through presentation to professional groups and publication.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to own area of work.
• Promote patient and public involvement activities in the BCSP, leading to service improvement.
• Promote people’s equality, diversity and rights.

Communication

• To work independently across organisations to improve the communication regarding patients and the treatment they received.
• Provide face to face contact with GPs and community nurses to challenge current ways of working and embrace change.
• To work collaboratively with GPs and community nurses to improve the patients pathway of care.
• To utilise specialist skills and advance communication techniques to manage difficult conversations with patients.
• To work with different members of the hospital MDT to ensure the patient is given the right information.
• To keep NHS Cancer Screening up to date with improvements in the patient pathway and developments with the project.
• To work with lead cancer nurse in ensuring project outcomes are delivered.
• To set up focus groups to gain patient ideas to ensure alterations in care are patient focused.

Please see Job Description for further information .

Person specification

Registration/Qualifications

• NMC registered - Level 1 trained nurse

Band 6 experiance

• Evidence of managing own workload
• Evidence of training at band 6 level
• JETs training
• Role within Colorectal field

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Important information for applicants

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for those that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker.

Closing adverts early: Please apply as early as you're able for this role. In the event of exceptional interest we may close adverts earlier than specified.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications