Specialist Screening Practitioner

Job overview

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme has been successfully rolled out across the UK over the last decade and is now well established and recognised as reducing the number of people who die from bowel cancer by 16%.

Due to continued development and expansion of the service we are looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic nurse to join this exciting and fast moving service.

The main function of your role will be to assess the participant’s suitability for colonoscopy, inform and support them through the process, including communicating results, providing a quality service and maintaining accurate records that reflect this.

You will be required to attend Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings and link with health promotion teams to improve uptake and inclusivity.

You should be able to work independently and autonomously across Bedfordshire Foundation NHS Trust but with the benefit of working within a supportive team environment.

It’s essential that you have good organisational and communications skills and you must be able to work flexibly as our screening lists may be undertaken 7 days a week with possibly some evening work.

If you are considering making an application you are strongly advised to contact Jamunadevi Doraikannu- Lead Specialist Screening Practitioner on 01582 497939 or email [email protected] to arrange an Informal visit.

Main duties of the job

• This role will include the delivery of nurse-led and virtual clinics, within the community of Luton and Bedfordshire.
• You will act as the individuals' advocate, supporting and empowering them and their family to make informed choices and decisions about their screening examination, care, treatment and future participation, through all stages of the screening programme.
• You will be involved in assessing individuals, making decisions based on the outcomes of your assessment and managing your own caseload.
• You will participate at colorectal cancer multidisciplinary team meetings (MDT's) in the participating individuals' relevant Trust.
• You need to be able to work well within a team and also work autonomously as an individual.
• You will be expected to communicate sensitive and bad news to individuals when required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see job description for responsibilities.

The post will be based at Luton and Dunstable Hospital though cross site working to Bedford Hospital will be required.

You will be allocated a mentor who will support you through a comprehensive induction and training and you will be required to attend a 2 day virtual course to use the Bowel Cancer Screening database.

You would be expected to successfully complete a Specialist Screening Practitioner certificate within 12 months of employment at Liverpool John Moore's University.