Straight to Test Triage Nurse

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Colorectal Triage Clinical Nurse Specialist to lead telephone assessments and triage clinics for urgent colorectal referrals. You will assess patients referred by GPs with suspected colorectal cancer and decide on the next steps in their diagnostic pathway.

The role requires expert clinical judgement, strong communication skills, and the ability to work autonomously while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across the Greater

Qualifications

• RGN Level 1 or 2 Degree or Diploma in Nursing Studies with progression to PG Diploma level.
• Registered Nurse with current NMC registration (Adult).
• Post registration certificate in colorectal or cancer care desirable.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and IT proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead telephone assessment and triage clinics for urgent colorectal referrals.
• Assess and manage patients referred by GPs with suspected colorectal cancer.
• Determine suitability for endoscopic investigation and next steps.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure a seamless patient journey.

Skills

Registered Nurse (NMC)

Excellent communication

IT and writing skills

Leadership experience

Problem solving

Autonomy in clinical decision making

Education

RGN Level 1 or 2 Degree or Diploma in Nursing Studies

Post Registration Certificate in colorectal or cancer

Job description

Be at the forefront of transforming colorectal cancer pathways and making a real difference to patient outcomes. As a Colorectal Triage Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), you will play a pivotal role in shaping and developing the Trust's innovative Straight to Test (STT) Colorectal Service. Working at the heart of a fast paced, patient focused pathway, you will lead telephone assessment and triage clinics for urgent colorectal referrals, using your advanced clinical skills to make key decisions about patients' diagnostic journeys. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a Greater Manchester wide transformation programme, helping to establish and develop STT services across the region. Your contribution will be instrumental in achieving national cancer targets, including the 28 day Faster Diagnosis Standard, ensuring patients receive a diagnosis and access to treatment as quickly as possible. If you are passionate about service improvement, autonomous clinical decision making and delivering outstanding cancer care, this role offers the chance to make a lasting impact on both patients and the future of colorectal services. Main duties of the job This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering and developing an innovative colorectal cancer service, helping patients access timely investigations and diagnoses while improving their experience throughout the cancer pathway. As a Colorectal Triage Clinical Nurse Specialist, you will take responsibility for the assessment and management of patients referred by GPs with suspected colorectal cancer. Working autonomously, you will triage urgent referrals and undertake both telephone and face to face assessments, using your expert clinical judgement to determine each patient's suitability for endoscopic investigation and identify the most appropriate next steps in their care. You will work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues, primary care teams and referring GPs to ensure patients receive a seamless, high quality service. As a confident decision maker, you will communicate complex and sensitive information with compassion and professionalism, empowering patients to make informed choices about their care and acting as their advocate throughout the diagnostic pathway. This is a rewarding and influential role for a motivated nurse who is passionate about cancer care, service development and improving outcomes for patients undergoing investigation for suspected colorectal cancer. The NCA is committed to providing inclusive, accessible care and building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, identities and beliefs. We are proud supporters of the Armed Forces community and offer a guaranteed interview to eligible applicants who meet the essential criteria. As a Disability Confident Employer, we also guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. Vacancies may close early where high application volumes are received or an internal redeployee is identified. For fixed term roles, current NHS staff will be considered for secondments, while fixed term contracts will be offered to external (non-NHS) applicants. If you are applying for a secondment, please discuss this with your line manager before applying. Any secondment offer will be subject to management approval and service needs. Where release cannot be supported, the secondment may unfortunately be unable to proceed.

• RGN Level 1 or 2 Degree or Diploma in Nursing Studies and evidence of subsequent professional development to PG Diploma level
• Registered Nurse with current NMC registration (Part 1 Adult / General Level 1 or 2), Post Registration Certificate in colorectal or cancer (or equivalent), Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Knowledge of colorectal cancer and experience in colorectal services
• Ability to continually prioritise to deliver a high standard of nursing care
• Ability to work as part of a small team and work independently with no direct supervision
• Good problem solving skills and adaptability
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Knowledge of the Best Timed Colorectal Diagnostic Pathway across GM
• Good IT and writing skills
• Flexibility with working hours fit rostering, Leadership experience
• Advanced communication skills training
• Experience of running nurse led clinics
• Experience of establishing a new service
• Management experience
• Has an understanding of cancer services in Greater Manchester The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, and Salford, to save and improve lives.As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and collaborating closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we are always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire - to join our team.In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a