Specialist Screening Practitioner

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual to develop and enhance specialised nursing skills. There are many opportunities in the Specialist Screening Practitioner (SSP) role to further professional and personal development. The post holder will work closely with a wide range of health professionals including the multi-disciplinary team, endoscopy, radology, colorectal and cancer services within the Trust.

The postholder will demonstrate excellent assessment and communication skills to be able to guide patients through the bowel cancer screening journey. They will be expected to demonstrate specific skills in the management of findings as a result of diagnostic tests carried out within the programme. They will be responsible for providing the nursing contribution for the patient pathway including assessment, endoscopy, histology and follow up.

The postholder will care for a patient throughout the bowel cancer screening pathway. This involves the assessment, history taking and clinical decisions that need to be made prior to a patient undergoing a diagnostic test. Patients require excellent communication skills, empathy and patience.

***This advert may close early, subject to high application numbers***

Main duties of the job

• Support the provision of helpline services run from the hub by resolving queries referred by them to the screening centre.
• 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
• Ensure timely access to screening colonoscopy or alternative diagnostic intervention and seamless transition to agreed pathways in primary, secondary, tertiary or outpatient care settings, during all stages of the screening pathway.
• Establish effective links with the local Multidisciplinary Teams in order to ensure that;

- Where cancer is detected, there is timely presentation and transfer of patients to the MDT

- Patient records for the screening services are completed to include data on treatment, staging and outcomes provided by the MDT.

• Apply relevant policies, guidelines and procedures in order to inform the overall management of local screening services and the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.
• Participate ongoingly in data collection and quality assurance, service feedback and audit with particular responsibility for the follow up of patients at 30 days.
• Work with the Health Promotion Specialists across the boroughs and carry out health promotion activities.

About us

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond.

We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has recently attained the highest possible rating of "Outstanding" from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients. In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard's Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home.

Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times.

We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly.

Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well-regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits.

Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.