Job Description

Bowel Cancer Screening Specialist Screening Practitioner (Nursing Role)

Band 6

Permanent

37.5 Hours per week



We are looking for an experienced registered Nurse who wants to make a difference and play a pivotal role in supporting patients within the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP). If you have excellent communication skills and a desire to support patients throughout their journey of investigation, this may be the role for you.



We would welcome applications that demonstrate a basic understanding and interest in the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme and the role of the Specialist Screening Practitioner and which reflects the skills and attributes as outlined in the person specification.



The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is a world first amongst screening programmes and the first to offer screening to both men and women. The Merseyside and North Cheshire Programme commenced in 2006 and due to continued development and expansion of the service we are looking to appoint full time Specialist Screening Practitioners who will play a key role in supporting patients through the screening process. We cover a population of almost 1.1 million people. As part of the national programme all men & women aged 50-74 are offered to take part in 2 yearly screening.



We need a motivated and enthusiastic team player. The role is varied and ranges from conducting nurse led clinics, attending colonoscopy , processing histology outcomes and providing results including cancer diagnosis, to supporting patients through the screening process and engaging in health promotion.



Previous experience and knowledge in the following areas is desirable but not essential; screening, gastroenterology, endoscopy, colorectal, pre-assessment or oncology.



You must have excellent communication skills and be able to communicate sensitive and complex information to both patients and colleagues, including breaking significant news. The post holder will have a shared responsibility to meet the Trust, BCSP and national targets, be able to prioritise and manage their own workload and work as a team to ensure the smooth running of the service. Training will be provided for use of the BCSP IT system and the successful candidate must undertake the SSP module at level 6/7 at Liverpool John Moores University. Study time will be allocated within the roster.



Merseyside & North Cheshire BCSP is based at Aintree Hospital but the post holder will be required to travel to other sites (Warrington, Halton, and St Helens Hospitals) as necessary. Full driving license and access to own transport is essential.



The service runs from 8:30am to 4:30pm but the post holder should be flexible as later start and finish times may be required to cover clinical activity of the programme.



Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.



We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.



UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.



For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.



Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women's Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.



Provide advice, information and support for those making direct contact with the screening centre



Be responsible for care delivery to patients identified by the screening programme and will meet the needs of patients arising as a result of:



Having been called to participate in screening



Having been identified as positive on screening



Needing to be assessed as fit to undertake screening colonoscopy or alternative diagnostic investigations



Needing to be able to make informed decisions prior undergoing

screening colonoscopy or alternative diagnostic interventions



Having been identified as requiring further intervention, treatment, surveillance follow-up or discharge



To use specialist knowledge and advanced communication skills with patients and carers when breaking bad news and providing psychological support on diagnosis, treatment and symptom management



Ensure timely access to screening colonoscopy or alternative diagnostic intervention and seamless transition to agreed pathways in primary, secondary, tertiary or out-patient care settings, during all stages of the screening pathway



To establish effective links with local colorectal cancer multi-disciplinary teams in order to ensure that when cancer is detected, there is timely presentation and transfer of patients to the multi-disciplinary team



Populate and maintain the BCSP local database



Participate in ongoing data collection and quality assurance, service feedback and audit with particular responsibility for the follow-up of patients at 30 days



Perform comprehensive assessment of patient needs, plan, implement and evaluate care according to BCSP



Collect, collate, evaluate and report information, maintaining accurate patient records



Work collaboratively with other professionals and organisations to ensure patient needs are met, especially in relation to referrals to local MDTs