Trainee/Nurse Colposcopist

MFT; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Trainee Nurse Colposcopist to join a multidisciplinary team, offering a structured development programme to become an autonomous practitioner. The post includes supervised clinical practice and a clear accreditation pathway.

The role requires compassionate care for patients with abnormal cervical screening results, contributing to safe, high-quality colposcopy services while progressing through BSCCP training and achieving competent

Qualifications

• RN qualification with current NMC registration.
• A degree in nursing or a health-related subject.
• Accredited Nurse Colposcopist (BSCCP) – if a qualified nurse colposcopist.
• Registration as BSCCP trainer (if already practicing as a nurse colposcopist).

Responsibilities

• Undertaking nurse-led colposcopy clinics in accordance with competence, accreditation status and agreed scope of practice.
• Assessing patients referred with abnormal cervical screening results or suspected cervical abnormalities.
• Providing clear information, counselling and emotional support before, during and after procedures.
• Performing colposcopic examinations, cervical biopsies and other diagnostic procedures once assessed as competent.
• Undertaking treatment procedures, including treatment of cervical abnormalities, following the required training and competency assessment.
• Reviewing cytology, histology and clinical findings and developing appropriate management and follow-up plans.
• Recognising suspected cervical cancer or complex pathology and escalating promptly to the lead colposcopist or appropriate medical clinician.
• Maintaining accurate clinical records and ensuring that results, onward referrals and follow-up arrangements are completed within required timescales.
• Working in accordance with the NHS Cervical Screening Programme, BSCCP guidance, Trust policies and professional standards.
• Participating in multidisciplinary meetings, clinical audit, quality assurance, incident review and service improvement.
• Supporting patient safety, infection prevention, safeguarding, consent and medicines-management requirements.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organisation skills

IT skills

Mentorship and coaching

Education

RN qualification with NMC registration

Degree in nursing or health-related subject

Tools

NHS IT systems

Job description

We have vacancies in the following sectors

Select below to see the jobs in that sector

Main area Nursing Grade NHS AfC: Band 6/7 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Cross site working) Job ref 349-SHCG-8348036-RL4

Site Saint Mary's Hospital Town Manchester Salary £39,959 - £56,515 per annum Trainee post- band 6 untill training complete Salary period Yearly Closing 03/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our specialist colposcopy service as a Trainee Nurse Colposcopist / Nurse Colposcopist. This role is suitable for either an experienced, accredited nurse colposcopist or a motivated registered nurse who wishes to undertake a structured development programme to become an autonomous practitioner.

The successful candidate will work within the multidisciplinary team to provide compassionate, safe and high-quality care to patients referred with abnormal cervical screening results or suspected cervical abnormalities.

Applicants appointed as a trainee will be supported to complete the recognised colposcopy training pathway, including attendance at an approved introductory course, supervised clinical practice, completion of the required clinical portfolio and assessments, and successful completion of the relevant accreditation examination. Progression into the qualified nurse colposcopist role will be dependent upon successful achievement of all agreed competencies and accreditation requirements.

We are looking for a compassionate and motivated registered nurse with relevant experience in gynaecology, women’s health, sexual health, cancer services or cervical screening.

This post offers an excellent opportunity to develop specialist expertise, work towards autonomous practice and contribute to the delivery of a responsive, sustainable and high-quality colposcopy service.

Main duties of the job

Key duties will include:

• Undertaking nurse-led colposcopy clinics in accordance with competence, accreditation status and agreed scope of practice.
• Assessing patients referred with abnormal cervical screening results or suspected cervical abnormalities.
• Providing clear information, counselling and emotional support before, during and after procedures.
• Performing colposcopic examinations, cervical biopsies and other diagnostic procedures once assessed as competent.
• Undertaking treatment procedures, including treatment of cervical abnormalities, following the required training and competency assessment.
• Reviewing cytology, histology and clinical findings and developing appropriate management and follow-up plans.
• Recognising suspected cervical cancer or complex pathology and escalating promptly to the lead colposcopist or appropriate medical clinician.
• Maintaining accurate clinical records and ensuring that results, onward referrals and follow-up arrangements are completed within required timescales.
• Working in accordance with the NHS Cervical Screening Programme, BSCCP guidance, Trust policies and professional standards.
• Participating in multidisciplinary meetings, clinical audit, quality assurance, incident review and service improvement.
• Supporting patient safety, infection prevention, safeguarding, consent and medicines-management requirements.

Working for our organisation

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.
Whether you’re beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.
You’ll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.
At MFT, you’ll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.
Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’ll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Documents to download’ heading.

Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place.

To access ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Documents to download heading' and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred List: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children’s and/or adults’ barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person specification

Qualifications

• RN qualification with current NMC registration.
• A degree in nursing or a healthrelated subject.
• Accredited Nurse Colposcopist (British Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology)- if a qualified nurse colposcopist
• Registration as a BSCCP trainer (if already practicing as a nurse colposcopist)

Training and Experience

• Ability to undertake diagnostic and therapeutic colposcopy LLETZ, Cold coagulation, cryocautery.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Experience of involvement in audit.
• Experience of developing clinical guidelines or policies.
• Willingness to undertake study and training relevant to the speciality and role.
• Experience of inter-agency working, including attendance at committees.
• Experience in research and presentations

Skills and Abilities

• A high level of interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to assess and benchmark quality of care.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workload.
• Ability to work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team.
• IT skills and knowledge appropriate to the role.
• Mentorship and coaching skills

Knowledge

• A minimum of two years’ experience within Gynaecology.
• Substantial competence and experience in Gynaecology or Oncology nursing.
• Thorough understanding of contemporary nursing issues.

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.