Junior Faster Diagnosis Nurse

Somerset Nhs Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension

Flexible working

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a registered nurse to join the Faster Diagnosis team. You will support patients through their diagnostic journey, ensuring timely assessments and high-quality nursing care within the Cancer Pathway.

Essential requirements include RGN with NMC registration and at least 1 year post-registration experience in acute settings. The role offers flexible working options and access to NHS pension and career development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Must hold current UK NMC registration and be an experienced nurse.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Proven ability to work within a cancer pathway and diagnostic teams.

Responsibilities

• Undertake initial patient assessment and triage per SOPs and escalate complex cases.
• Provide information and support to patients and carers during the diagnostic pathway.
• Coordinate with primary/secondary care teams to ensure timely progression and high-quality care.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Patient care

Organisation

Education

RGN with NMC registration

Job description

Job summary

Working as part of the Somerset Faster Diagnosis team, the post holder will play a key role in ensuring the timely and effective management of patients referred on a suspected cancer pathway and those accessing services through the team's self referral pathway's. The role will support patients throughout their diagnostic journey and helping to deliver high quality, patient centred care. The role will contribute ensuring patients receive a diagnosis or have cancer excluded within the 28 day faster Diagnosis standard. You will require good communication skills, a team work approach and be able to provide a high standard of nursing care with the support of your team.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will undertake initial patient assessment and triage in line with agreed protocols and standard operating procedures and escalating concerns & complex cases to senior members of the team as appropriate. This may include telephone consultations, reviewing referrals, arranging investigations within agreed pathways, and ensuring timely progression through the diagnostic process. The post holder will provide information and support to patients and carers, acting as a key point of contact during the diagnostic pathway. They will work closely with primary and secondary care services, cancer teams, admirative staff and other healthcare professionals to ensure pathways are coordinated and patients receive a high quality experience.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we’re committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work. We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset?

Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London. The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future. Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN, 1st Level with full NMC Registration
• Demonstrates evidence of ongoing continuous personal developments

Desirable

• Relevant accredited post registration qualification at level 3
• Advanced communication skills training
• Obtained or working towards a Masters level qualification in a relevant subject
• Clinical examination skills

Experience

Essential

• At least 1 year post registration experience in an acute setting.
• Experience communicating with patients and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Conscientious, committed, reliable and hardworking

Desirable

• Experience or evidence of ability in triaging acute care referrals and understanding of diagnostic pathways

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Good organisation skills
• Ability to prioritise workload with support
• Commitment to the development and provision of high quality nursing care and patient focussed services
• Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively
• Ability to establish credibility rapidly with the wide range of satff
• Ability to deal sensitively with emotive
• Resilient under pressure
• Good team player
• possessed of personal insight and awareness
• Resilient, persistent, and the able to challenge decisions
• Willingness and ability to travel between SFT and YDH
• Access to own vehicle

Desirable

• Knowledge of Faster Diagnosis Standards and Somerset cancer pathways

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. Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).