Specialist Screening Practitioner in North East

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Screening Practitioner

The closing date is 07 August 2026

Due to the introduction of FIT@80 within the Bowel Cancer Screening Service we are looking to recruit 2 specialist screening practitioners to join the existing team at Bishop Auckland Hospital. The post holders will provide the highest standard of care and support for patients participating in the national Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. The post is varied and includes providing clinicsled by the practitioners for individuals who have had a positive FIT as part ofthe programme, attending colonoscopy lists, managing surveillance following theintroduction of new guidance in 2019, providing histology and radiology resultsincluding cancer diagnosis. Post holders will have responsibility for assessing, informing and supporting individuals throughout the screening pathway. This is an exciting opportunity to join our team of highly motivated, professional staff who take pride in providing excellent services for our patients. The post will be based at Bishop Auckland Hospital, but you may be expected to travel across the three main trust sites.

Main duties of the job

The ability to be flexible and organised in the workplace with a passion for delivering a quality and successful service is essential.Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills are required to maintain and develop relationships with a wide range of internal and external contacts.

You will be supported by induction training and ongoing development. You will have regular supervision, and an annual appraisal with learning opportunities.

The successful applicant will be expected to complete the Liverpool John Moore's Screening Practitioner's course within the first 12 months of coming into post - this is a mandatory requirement for the role and includes a residential element.

The hours of work are 37.5 per week and include evening and weekend working

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Job responsibilities

Act as the referred participantsnamed contact and support.

Act as an advocate and put forwardviews and wishes on behalf of the referred participant.

Assist the Clinical Director,where appropriate, with operational and strategic development of the BCSPScreening Centre.

Provide counselling and support toparticipants diagnosis with benign and malignant colorectal disease, ensuringreferral to appropriate specialist teams.

Present patients whom have cancersor malignant polyps detected and confirmed as a result of the screeningexamination at their local Colorectal MDT, referring them over for continuingspecialist care.

Ensures the participant andscreening centre are informed of their referral to the Colorectal Team andtheir new point of contact.

Develops and maintainscollaborative working with the Colorectal Cancer MDT.

Provides information in a varietyof forms and media to facilitate understanding and questions, which enableindividuals to participate in the BCSP and make informed decisions aboutscreening options, care and treatment.

Provides support in collaborationwith the wider public health and promotion teams to maximise participation inthe Bowel Screening Programme.

Provide nurse-led clinics toenable participants to make informed decisions about undertaking the screeningexamination (colonoscopy or alternative).

Through nurse-led clinics assessthe participant's suitability, acceptability and fitness for the screeningexamination, requesting alternative screening examinations based upon the aboveand the participant's informed choice.

Ensure timely access to thescreening examination with timely reporting of findings to the participant.

Utilising knowledge and skills andthrough nurse-led clinics and individual contact, make informed judgements andplan further care and follow up based upon the outcomes of the screeningexamination.

Ensure further screening,surveillance and/or treatment is implemented within agreed pathways, referringto other specialist nurses and services as appropriate, and that accurate andcontemporaneous records are made of same.

Participates in quality assurancemeasures towards the provision of a high quality screening service and isinvolved (via clinical governance frameworks) with strategies to developquality assurance standards and management.

Participates within audit andresearch to provide an evidence-based practice base.

Assist with national, regional andlocal clinical trials and research as part of the work of the BCSP.

Initiates, completes and maintainsaccurate and timely records of care provided.

Promotes sharing of skills,knowledge and experience throughout the BCSP screening centre and hub throughformal and informal networks.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent demonstrable qulification/combination of qualifications.
• Evidence of continuing professional and personal development.
• Evidence of IT experience, significant experience on Mircrosoft Office.
• NMC Registration.
• Evidence of IT related qulification

Special Skills & Knowledge

• A motivated and positive attitude.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication (written and verbal) skills.
• Ability to use computer software to develop and create reports, databases and spreadsheets.
• Ability to deal with confidential issues in a professional and sensitive manner.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Able to follow trust polices and procedures.
• Knowledge of Endoscopy is desirable.

Experience

• At least 1 years experience as a qualified nurse.
• Evidence of managing a caseload or care group in a clinical setting with multidisciplinary working.
• Evidence of having been responsible for day to day supervision or coordination of staff in a clinical setting.
• Able to demonstrate commitment to high quality patient care including evidence of participation in quality assurance, audit and research.
• Existing SSP qualification from Liverpool John Moore's University.
• Advanced Practitioner Degree in associated speciality such as GI pathology or Health Promotion or Pre-assessment.
• Evidence fo participation in quality assurance, audit and research.
• Evidence of having worked with patients from at least on of the following groups: general surgery or cancer is desirable.

Special Requirements

• Car driver/owner and hold a UK driving licence in order to meet service needs.
• Travel as needed across County Durham and Darlington.
• Occupational Health clearance.
• Satisfactory DBS clearance,
• Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence

Statutory Registration

• NMC registration

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.

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust