Job summary
We are seeking to appoint a committed and enthusiastic Specialist Screening Practitioner to join our team. Joining the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme offers the opportunity to make a tangible, life-changing impact every day. As an SSP you will be at the heart of a national programme proven to save lives through early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer.
SSPs play a vital role within the screening pathway, providing high-quality, patient-centred care from the point of referral through to diagnosis, treatment, and discharge. The post holder will work as an autonomous practitioner following a probation period and will be responsible for the delivery of care to service users across the North of Tyne covering multiple sites of both Northumbria and Newcastle trusts. The post will be based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle with an additional office at North Tyneside General Hospital.
Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received.
"Please note, for Secondment roles before an application is submitted, please ensure you have received the appropriate approval and completed documentation required beforehand, as this may delay the process if an offer was to be made."
Main duties of the job
The post holder will act as the key point of contact for patients referred into the screening programme, coordinating their pathway, delivering specialist assessment, and providing expert clinical support and information. This includes undertaking nurse-led clinics, telephone assessments, patient education, and supporting individuals through often complex and sensitive decision-making processes.
The role requires excellent communication skills, sound clinical judgement, and the ability to work autonomously while maintaining strong collaborative relationships with endoscopy, colorectal, and administrative teams.
Previous experience in endoscopy, colorectal or cancer nursing would be advantageous but not essential, as would familiarity with health promotion practice and the running of nurse-led clinics. To ensure a patient centred service is offered, the ability to work across sites and on some evenings and Saturdays is also crucial. Therefore a valid driving licence and use of a vehicle for work is essential.
The successful candidate will receive comprehensive training and ongoing professional development to support them in this rewarding and challenging role. You will be expected to complete the Screening Practitioner's course at Liverpool John Moore's University within the first 12 months of coming into post - This is a mandatory requirement for the role and includes a residential element.
About us
We manage three major locality hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, plus a number of smaller community hospitals and clinics from Tynemouth to Berwick on Tweed, in addition to our state-of-the-art Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England. We also care for people in their homes and provide services from facilities in local communities such as health centres. We give people greater choice and control over their care to help them to live independently at home and avoid hospital admission where appropriate. High quality patient care is at the heart of everything we do and we strive to ensure every single patient and service user has an exceptional experience with us. We have one of the most extensive patient experience programmes of any trust in England.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key aspects of the role include:
Assessing and preparing patients for screening colonoscopy and other diagnostic procedures
Providing specialist advice, information, and support to patients and families
Managing results, follow-up pathways, and onward referrals
Contributing to service improvement, audit, and quality assurance processes
Supporting the delivery of high standards of care in line with national BCSP requirements
Work collaboratively with the Screening Programme Hub providing the link with the acute services.
Co-ordinate health promotion activities with local providers to facilitate awareness and access.
The North of Tyne Bowel Cancer Screening Centre is a partnership between both Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust and Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key aspects of the role include:
Assessing and preparing patients for screening colonoscopy and other diagnostic procedures
Providing specialist advice, information, and support to patients and families
Managing results, follow-up pathways, and onward referrals
Contributing to service improvement, audit, and quality assurance processes
Supporting the delivery of high standards of care in line with national BCSP requirements
Work collaboratively with the Screening Programme Hub providing the link with the acute services.
Co-ordinate health promotion activities with local providers to facilitate awareness and access.
The North of Tyne Bowel Cancer Screening Centre is a partnership between both Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust and Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Experience and knowledge
Essential
- 1 st Level live NMC Registered Nurse
- Registered Mentor
- Diploma/Degree Health Related
- Experience of working as part of an MDT
- Significant post registration experience including previous experience in the specialty
- Evidence of qualification to undertake the supervision, teaching and assessing of students (essential requirement for post, expectation this will be completed within an 18 month period unless post is bank only).
- Experience in specialty
Desirable
- Knowledge of primary care
- Endoscopy Experience
Other
Essential
- It is an essential requirement of the role that the post holder has a valid driving licence and is either a car owner and able to use the car for work purposes, or has a Trust personal lease vehicle which may be used for the role
Other
Essential
- It is an essential requirement of the role that the post holder has a valid driving licence and is either a car owner and able to use the car for work purposes, or has a Trust personal lease vehicle which may be used for the role. However, the Trust would consider making reasonable adjustments to the role, if necessary, to enable a disabled person to undertake the role
Person Specification
Qualifications/Experience and knowledge
Essential
- 1 st Level live NMC Registered Nurse
- Registered Mentor
- Diploma/Degree Health Related
- Experience of working as part of an MDT
- Significant post registration experience including previous experience in the specialty
- Evidence of qualification to undertake the supervision, teaching and assessing of students (essential requirement for post, expectation this will be completed within an 18 month period unless post is bank only).
- Experience in specialty
Desirable
- Knowledge of primary care
- Endoscopy Experience
Other
Essential
- It is an essential requirement of the role that the post holder has a valid driving licence and is either a car owner and able to use the car for work purposes, or has a Trust personal lease vehicle which may be used for the role
Other
Essential
- It is an essential requirement of the role that the post holder has a valid driving licence and is either a car owner and able to use the car for work purposes, or has a Trust personal lease vehicle which may be used for the role. However, the Trust would consider making reasonable adjustments to the role, if necessary, to enable a disabled person to undertake the role
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
