Lung Cancer Screening Nurse Associate/Assistant Practitioner

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is inviting applications for a Lung Cancer Screening Nurse Associate/Assistant Practitioner to support the national screening programme across Cheshire and Merseyside. The role focuses on telephone assessments, risk evaluation, and facilitating low-dose CT referrals to detect lung cancer early.

The postawareness requires a Foundation degree or Nurse Associate qualification with NHS Band 4 pay.

Qualifications

• Experience in respiratory medicine or health screening is preferred.
• Ability to conduct telephone assessments using validated tools.
• Proven patient communication and health promotion skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide lung health checks consultations via telephone to eligible population.
• Health Promotion and Education.
• Making every contact count.

Skills

Telephone assessments

Risk assessment

Low-dose CT referrals

Education

Foundation degree or Nurse Associate Qualification

Tools

EMIS

Job description

Employer Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation Trust Town Liverpool Salary £28,392 - £31,157 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 10/09/2026 23:59

NHS AfC: Band 4

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision' to bethe best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine including adult cystic fibrosis and diagnostic imaging, both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Heart and lung disease continue to be amongst the biggest killers in the UK and the communities we serve are marked by increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, higher levels of heart failure, hypertension, coronary artery disease and an ageing population.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering thebest carefor our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and facilitated by technology. New and upgraded clinical areas are designed with patients and families fully involved to deliver their needs.

As part of our long term plan, we aim to form strong clinical and organisational relationships where possible. There is clear evidence that partnerships improve patient care and enhance quality and we aim to collaborate with a range of other providers and professionals with the aimto extending access and improve quality.

Our vision is underpinned by five strategic goals:

• Quality:to deliver the highest quality, safest and best experience for patients and their families by providing reliable care
• Service and Innovation:to develop our service portfolio for patients by developing innovative models of care
• Value:to maintain financial viability, enhance service delivery and develop new models of care to improve the health of our patients and safely reduce costs
• Workforce:to be the best NHS Employer by 2019 by attracting and retaining the best staff to deliver excellent patient care
• Stakeholders:to develop productive relationships with key stakeholders in order to enhance our profile and reputation.

Our Mission

“Excellent, Compassionate and Safe care for every patient, every day”

Job overview

PREVIOUS APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST

We are at an exciting time, with the introduction of a Rolling National Lung Cancer Screening programme across Cheshire and Merseyside. The Lung Cancer Screening programme enables the early detection of lung cancer in order to save lives across Cheshire and Merseyside, in areas where significant impact can be made from the recognition of early stage lung cancer and offering curative treatment.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Lung Cancer Screening Nurse Associate/ Assistant Practitioner to join our Lung Cancer Screening Service working across Cheshire and Merseyside. The post holder should have a background in Respiratory Medicine where they will undertake telephone assessments to screen and refer for a low dose CT chest scans to help to identify early stages of lung cancer.

We're looking for individuals who love a challenge and strive for excellence in the way they work and candidates with a passion for respiratory medicine. These role demands the ability to be innovative, flexible and a strong team player and also be able to work autonomously.

The post holder will undertake telephone assessments. Using a validated risk assessment tool, the individual may be referred for a low dose CT scan. It is the practitioner’s responsibility to use Every Contact Counts for onward referrals

Main duties of the job

Provide lung health checks consultations via telephone to our eligible population

Health Promotion and Education

Making every contact count

Working for our organisation

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Monitor health, safety and security of self and others to promote best practice.

Maintain and ensure observation of robust quality assurance measures to meet national standards

Contribute towards the monitoring standards of care and participate in the improvement of care through audit and research

Promote patient and public involvement activities in specialist area leading to service improvement and attend local initiatives particularly to promote Targeted Lung Health Check Service.

Maintain, clear, concise, legible and contemporaneous patient records at all times in line with Trust policy

Participate fully in clinical supervision sessions arranged by the Team Leader and Clinical Supervisor.

Understand the processes involved in evidence based care and have knowledge of where to obtain evidence.

Work collaboratively with the professional agencies to ensure patient needs are met.

Establish and maintain effective communication with patient, cares/relatives and multi-disciplinary teams

Observe the provisions of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.

Actively participate in the annual performance review to identify personal development needs

Act in way’s that support people’s equality, diversity and rights.

Undertake specific training / workshop sessions as identified by the department and national team required to undertake the job role

Undertake relevant training / workshop sessions as identified on performance review for continuing professional development.

Undertake mandatory training in line with departmental and Trust policies.

Develop own skills and knowledge with assistance from others, identifying learning required to undertake the job role

Provide information and support to junior or new staff when it will help with their development or help them meet their work demands

This job description reflects the need to cultivate the service. It will evolve with the continuing expansion of the service and will be reviewed through mutual agreement between the post holder and the line manager.

Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others

Act in way’s that support people’s equality, diversity and rights.

Awareness of LHCH policies and procedures

Comply with all local policies, procedures and guidelines.

Comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Have responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of self and others and to comply at all times with the requirements of health and safety regulations.

Have responsibility for the safe management of the department and ensure the safety of others affected by the department’s activities.

Liaise with the Trust adviser and ensure that any advice is implemented.

Ensure the Trust and departmental safety policies, arrangements, assessments etc. are maintained and made available for staff and that they are adhered to.

Identify and assess risks to themselves and others.

Carry out safety inspections and ensure remedial actions are taken.

Ensure accidents are reported and recorded.

Report to their line managers any identified actions to ensure Health and Safety that cannot be affected within their resources

Work within own level of professional competency, maintaining knowledge and skills in smoking cessation and tobacco addiction

A high level of attention to detail and who works well within set procedures

Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others

Report and elevate any issues or concern regarding patient care as and when they arise

Assist in the evaluation of service delivery, identify areas of improvement and support the initiation of change

Support the team to evaluate and improve service provision

Assist in the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources within the service.

Understand the principles of motivational interviewing and seek to apply these in all patient interactions

Maintain an up to date knowledge of pharmacological treatments available to smokers, indications of their use, contraindications and cautions as applicable to each.

Maintain an up to date knowledge of the potential side-effects of each pharmacological treatment and communicate these as appropriate to clinical staff and the actions to be taken should they occur.

Undertake any further specialist training as stipulated by national bodies such as National Centre for Smoking Cessation & Training (NCSCT) or National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

Responding to and actioning emails where needed

Undertake other duties that may be required from time to time and that are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade

Involve patients, carers and relatives in the giving of information regarding the project and in the delivery of care

Exercise judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care in line with the project protocol

Contribute to the development of services. Ensure the effective and efficient use of resources.

Maintain a safe environment for patients and staff and report any concern.

A team player who is supportive, reliable and trustworthy

Someone who is approachable, dedicated and hardworking

Motivate and empower patients to address nicotine addiction by brief intervention

Knowledge of pharmacological treatments available to smokers, indications of their use, contraindications and cautions as applicable to each.

Knowledge of the potential side-effects of each pharmacological treatment

Provide sensitive, complex information to patients, carers, relatives and professionals regarding the project

Respond to patient queries regarding the lung health check process and their outcome

Person specification

Qualifications & Education

• Foundation degree or Nurse Associate Qualification or relevant NHS experience at Band 4

Knowledge & Experience

• Experience of working within a healthcare or NHS environment
• Evidence of personal development within your current role
• Experience of adopting motivational interviewing techniques in practice and providing health promotion
• Knowledge and or experience in use of EMIS.
• Knowledge of pharmacological treatments available to smokers, indications of their use, contraindications, and cautions. Knowledge of the potential side-effects of each pharmacological treatment
• Experience of working with patients displaying challenging behaviours

Skills & Abilities

• Competent IT keyboard and software skills able to use Microsoft suite of programmes, clinical IT systems (eg. Dashboard) and navigate Trust intranet.
• Excellent communication skills and listening skills to develop a rapport and establish an effective therapeutic relationship with patients
• Able to deliver information in professional manner and refer questions to others where appropriate.
• Self-motivating, displays an enthusiasm and drive for health improvement
• Good time management, organisational and prioritisation skills
• Ability to develop and sustain professional interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the healthcare setting.
• Demonstrate the ability to work unsupervised and use own initiative.
• Understanding of quality and change in the clinical setting.

Values & Behaviours

• Adherence to Trust Values and Behaviours
• Ability to demonstrate individual responsibility in respect of role development and identification of areas to develop
• Is reliable, flexible, adaptable, and able to respond to change.
• Is self-aware, able to initiate and manage self-change with support when necessary.
• Ability to identify and respond to own strengths and limitations both personal and professional e.g. seeking guidance and support as necessary.

Other

• Access to an effective method of transport and willing to use vehicle in course of duties and be insure appropriately

All applicants will be contacted and informed by email whether they were successfully shortlisted for interview.

As part of you pre-employment checks we will be required to obtain satisfactory references. We require at least one written reference from your current or most recent employer. We are only able to accept references from a professional work email address.

Employers are expected to implement the Care Certificate for all applicable new starters from April 2015. The Care Certificate aims to equip health and social care support workers with the knowledge and skills which they need to provide safe, compassionate care. We expect all new starters in clinical, patient facing posts (bands 1-4) to complete all 15 standards of the Care Certificate, within their first 6 months with the Trust.

Flexible Working applications will be considered in line the Trusts flexible working policies.

The Trust is a no-smoking site.

Please note UKVI guidelines prohibits sponsorship for all Band 2 and 3 posts. Guidelines state that many other posts are also not eligible for sponsorship. Please use UKVI guidance on Skilled Worker Visas to determine whether you would be eligible for sponsorship if you were to gain a conditional offer for this role.

If you are a Skilled Worker/ Health and Care visa applicant and you are coming to work in an occupation defined by the relevant Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code, you will be required to provide a criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, this is also applicable for your adult dependants.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.