Bowel Cancer Screening Specialist Screening Practitioner in Liverpool

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 are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic team player. The role is varied and ranges from conducting nurse led clinics, attending colonoscopy sessions, processing histology outcomes and providing results including cancer diagnosis to supporting patients throughout 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 LJM 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 across the Merseyside and Cheshire region as necessary. Full driving license and access to own car 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.

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.