Patient Contact Assessor

Job overview

The primary goal of the Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) Programme is to facilitate the early detection of lung cancer, saving lives. The National Screening Committee has reviewed evidence from pilot sites and approved the programme for national implementation from 2028/29.

The Lung Cancer Screening Patient Contact Assessor (PCA) plays a crucial role in delivering the programme to eligible individuals. This programme is open to individuals aged 55-74 with a history of smoking, who are registered with a participating GP practice. Through telephone screening, PCAs assess patient risk using an accredited risk score tool. Those identified as high-risk may be referred for a Low Dose CT scan to enable early cancer detection, improving treatment outcomes.

As a PCA, you will be responsible for reaching out to patients, conducting telephone assessments, and supporting high-risk cases through appropriate referrals. You will also be trained to provide Very Brief Advice (VBT) to smokers, encouraging them to quit, and assist with appointment scheduling for scans at local mobile clinics.

This is a dynamic role where you will work as part of a team, under the supervision of the Performance and Pathway Manager and Team Leader with a focus on patient care, service delivery, and promoting lung health.

Please be advised that sponsorship is not eligible for this post.

A full UK driving license is essential for this post. Please note that an international driving license is not accepted.

Main duties of the job

• Conduct proactive telephone screening to assess lung cancer risk, following national protocols.
• Book appointments for eligible patients at local mobile scanning clinics.
• Provide compassionate and professional communication, addressing patient concerns and offering support.
• Assist patients with booking appointments for Low Dose CT scans at local mobile clinics, managing appointments with attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
• Monitor and manage patients who Did Not Attend (DNA) their Lung Health Check appointments.
• Implement rebooking processes and identify barriers to patient attendance.
• Collaborate with Lung Cancer Screening Specialist Nurses, ensuring patients are well-prepared for their appointments, and escalating high-risk cases during consultations.

The role may require travel to CT scanner sites and other hospital locations to deliver equipment or support service needs. The post holder should have access to a vehicle for work purposes.

The service operates six days a week, and this role requires working shifts:

• Monday – Friday: 0800 – 2000
• Saturday: 0900 – 1300

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Offer reassurance and support to patients, especially in complex situations, using empathetic communication techniques.
• Respond to telephone queries and monitor the Lung Cancer Screening generic email inbox.
• Maintain strict patient confidentiality and compliance with data protection regulations.
• Escalate clinical concerns to specialist nurses or other healthcare professionals for further assessment.
• Support patients from diverse backgrounds, utilising interpreter services where required.
• Accurately add encounters on EPR and referrals for patients requiring secondary care.
• Communicate effectively with patients who may have difficulty expressing themselves, using de-escalation techniques when necessary.
• Provide VBT (Very Brief Advice) to current smokers, offering encouragement and support to quit smoking.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, sharing knowledge while respecting role boundaries.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

Secondment will be considered for internal candidates – If you are successful after interview, you must obtain approval from your current line manager to accept the offer.

Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.