Specialist Screening Practitioner - Bowel Cancer Screening

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Wolverhampton Bowel Cancer Screening Centre.

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and dedicated registered nurse to join our screening team. As a Band 6 Specialist Screening Practitioner (SSP) you will employed by The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust and based at New Cross Hospital, but you will be required to work across multiple sites, including Cannock Chase Hospital and The Dudley Group Hospitals.

Additionally you must have good Information Technology (IT) skills as this post also includes daily data entry into a national screening database. Specialist training will be provided for use of the Bowel Cancer Screening IT system, Open Exeter. Some experience in health promotion is also an advantage, but not essential. Advanced communication training is also desirable, but not essential.  You should also hold a full driving licence, have access to a car and be willing to travel between hospital sites.

Main duties of the job

As an Specialist Screening Practitioner it is mandatory to start the SSP course within one year of appointment. This course is provided by Liverpool John Moore's University or Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, run in partnership with the University of Plymouth. Support and mentorship will be provided during this period of study. You will be given the time to attend study days at either allocated university but there will need to be a commitment to self directed study outside of working hours.  You must successfully complete this course in order to continue working within the screening programme.

We are looking for an experienced hardworking, flexible and committed individual to join our team, providing high quality care to all screening participants. You will be responsible for supporting the Bowel Cancer Screening Programmes with the Lead SSP. You must be able to work effectively as part of a team, and as an autonomous practitioner. You will be responsible for undertaking nurse led clinics including patient assessment, provision of information and preparation and support of those undergoing endoscopic or radiological investigations, within the screening programme.

The role requires you to communicate and work closely with the wider Multidisciplinary team across different hospital trusts. You must have excellent communication skills and be able to communicate sensitive and complex information to both patients and colleagues, including breaking significant news.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To co-ordinate individualised care for patients in the bowel cancer screening programme,

Meeting emotional, physical and psychological needs.

To work with the other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to provide a quality service to patients.

To act as the patients advocate supporting them to navigate and make informed choices at all stages of the screening process.

To travel between hospital sites to ensure equity and timeliness of service delivery.

To participate in health promotion activities with local health promotion services to improve access to screening by all sections of society within the catchment area.

To work collaboratively with the programme hub.

Contribute to the smooth transition of patients through the patient journey identified by the National Bowel Cancer Screening programme.

Ensure the safety of patients undergoing screening endoscopies.  Participate in ensuring that the requirements of informed consent are achieved and recorded for every patient. Identify patients with special risk management needs, adhering to Trust policy.

Contribute to practitioner lead clinics including pre-assessment of patients prior to screening colonoscopy and the provision of follow-up clinics for patients not referred to the MDT.

Support the education of all the members of the health care team, mentoring as and when required.

Attend the mandatory Bowel Cancer Specialist Screening Practitioner course within 12 months of starting in post. The course is run at Liverpool John Moore’s University or Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, run in partnership with the University of Plymouth.

Share the organisation and delivery of teaching to hospital and community staff, as well as students.

With other team members contribute to the provision of health promotion activities to the screening population.

Support the BCSP manager and Lead SSP in the development of performance to the National Screening Programme, strategic groups and the wider health community.

In the absence of the lead nurse co-ordinate the daily activities of the service.

Manage own time and caseload.