Trainee/Nurse Colposcopist

Job overview

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.

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. This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

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.

Closing vacancy listings early

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 Lists: 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.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service

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.

Applicant requirements

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.