Care Advisor

JOB TITLE: Care Navigator – Bowel Cancer Screening for people with a learning disability
RESPONSIBLE TO: Deputy Head of Inclusion Health Services
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Head of Inclusion Health Services
HOURS:16 hours per week Fixed term for 11 months (Pilot). End date 17th July 2026.
BASE: FCMS (NW) Ltd, Newfield House, Vicarage Lane,Blackpool, FY4 4EW
HOURLY RATE: £12.84 per hour
Role of The ServiceThis is a new service to increase the uptake of Bowel Cancer Screening for people with a Learning Disability across the Fylde Coast.A Learning Disability is a neurological condition that impacts how someone learns and processes information, it can be challenging to learn new things or perform tasks.Patients with a learning disability are underrepresented within the bowel screening testing, which results in missed opportunities for the early detection of bowel cancer. Bowel Screening is undertaken via a FIT Test Faecal Immunochemical Test. The Faecal Immunochemical Test detects hidden blood in a stool sample.
The life expectancy of a person with a learning disability is significantly reduced.Women with a learning disability die 23 years younger than women in the general populationMen with a learning disability die 20 years younger than men in the general populationWe are looking for individuals who have a passion and enthusiasm to work with some of the most vulnerable people within our community. The right candidates will be approachable and display excellent communication skills, compassion, tolerance, and a non-judgemental attitude.
This is an exciting opportunity to work in new and innovative ways, positively impacting on the lives of people with a learning disability. Job SummaryThe post holder will assist in the navigation of the patients journey to increase the uptake of FIT testing for people with a learning disability. This is a pilot project that will evolve of the 11-month period.The Care Navigator will:

• Work with patients, carers and support services across the Fylde Coast, to increase the uptake in people with a learning disability to undertake the FIT test. This will be undertaken by educating the support workers/ carers/ family member to facilitate the test with the person.
• Work with GP Practices and social care workers to identify people with a learning disability and ensure this is coded on the patients medical record. The FIT test can be an opportunity for the clinical team to review the individuals physical and mental health.
• Support social care and healthcare services to adopt a holistic approach that recognises the wider determinants of health by treating the whole person, by providing care in a manner that meets the individuals needs.

Examples of bespoke support include:

• Easy guide and easy read letter templates
• Beyond Words bowel cancer screening picture story
• Bowel cancer screening kit animation
• Checking if people need any assistance to collect a sample
• British Sign Language (BSL) videos
• Text relay service
• Longer appointments
• Appointments at a better time
• Ensuring appointments are on time
• A quiet place to wait or a private room
• Support from carers or LD nurses
• Staff using easy words and speaking clearly
• Coordinate internal bi-weekly meetings and attend external meetings to support the provision including arranging events to promote the Pilot e.g. with supported living teams, day service providers etc.
• Complete a monthly KPI report and case studies and contribute to the project evaluation.

Duties and Responsibilities Care Navigator Competency Framework

• Excellent Communication Skills
• Communicate clearly, sensitively, and effectively with patients, family members and other professionals.
• Maintain a calm and sensitive approach when dealing with people.
• Perform a basic holistic assessment of patients needs over the telephone and face-to-face.
• Write and maintain clear, accurate records of patient information in a variety of formats (i.e. electronic and paper).
• Present information clearly and effectively when speaking with others.
• Adapt communication style and method to best support patient preference and need.
• Demonstrate the importance of cultural factors in communicating with people.
• Apply skills and techniques (verbal and non-verbal) to resolve conflict, reduce distress and anger.
• Assert ideas and opinions in a respectful, positive way which advocates the needs and wishes of the patient.
• Present and communicate information to a wide range of audiences and agencies, within and outside the organisation.
• Maintain good standards of communication both in written and oral form.
• Make entries on patient records.

Enabling Access to Services

• Work at the interface of health, social care, voluntary and other local services.
• Understand local referral arrangements/pathways for holistic support from a wide range of sectors.
• Signpost and facilitate contact for the patient to appropriate services, with consent of the individual, relevant to the pilot.
• Demonstrate initiative in seeking contacts with relevant local services.
• Take a proactive, problem-solving approach in helping support people to connect and access services.
• Demonstrate persistence and resilience when faced with barriers to accessing services.
• Seek appropriate help when faced with barriers to access services.
• Provide timely feedback to colleagues around issues relating to access to services.

PersonalisationUnderstand the unique challenges experienced by the patient group.Determine the patients basic support needs accurately over the telephone or face-to-face.Act in a way that acknowledges peoples expressed beliefs, preferences and choices.Help people to identify and use their strengths and resources to undertake the FIT testIdentify and safeguard people at risk and potentially vulnerable, using appropriate methods (as determined by local arrangements).Contribute to care plans, in relation to the uptake of FIT testing, to meet peoples health and well-being needs, in partnership with the patient / other support services.Refer patients with complex health, mental and social care needs to the appropriate professionals, teams and services.Coordination and integrationShare relevant information, decisions and discussions made by health and social care teams, with the patient, within the remit of the role.Understand the principles of integrated care and support.Provide information and support the patient (as required) to contact the relevant person/professional.Implement and follow up key action points from care plans/meetings, with minimal supervision.Effectively communicate a patients needs within a multidisciplinary team meeting environment.Provide outreach to individuals who cannot attend a designated location (no lone working).Can move between sites in a timely manner.
Our key expectations are:Self-awareness Living authenticallyAdaptability- Being ready to adjust depending on the situationOpenness What you see is what you getPositivity with a real sense of being able to strive for the impossibleGenerosity of spirit- Everyday should be an opportunity to act with kindnessAbility to have fun Taking the role seriously, whilst being yourselfOur Why: To nurture an environment of inspiration, innovation and disruption so this people in our world receive exceptional healthcare for this generation, and the next.
Values: Our organisational culture is very important to us, so it is vital that the successful candidate lives and breathes complimentary values and behaviours. Our behaviours should be in line with our values which form part of our Company DNA:
Fun: People rarely succeed unless they are having fun. Happiness is healthy!Awesome: We arent here to be average, were here to be awesome!Humble: Were here to make a difference to the lives of others, NOT to see how important we can becomeBrave: We challenge the norm. We have the courage to get the difficult jobs doneOompf: We have natural oompf! Its infectious!Go-getting: We are intuitive to changing needs and respond quickly which we do with energy, ideas, and positivityCome and be a part of our amazing team!We offer NHS PensionCycle to Work SchemeCareer Development OpportunitiesAttendance BonusStaff Benefit SchemeFree Tea & CoffeeEye Care ContributionsBuilding and sustaining professional relationshipsBe supportive and helpful toward other team members.Relate to and work with clinical and non-clinical staff in other organisations, building constructive relationships across sectors.Value the roles of key others working within and beyond the organisation.Promote the sharing of resources and information from a wider range of sources to benefit patients and their carer.Act as a positive role model to team members and colleaguesKnowledge for practiceDemonstrate awareness and basic understanding of safeguarding vulnerable adultsUnderstand the importance and purpose of health promotion for the patient group and the people supporting themContribute to the service development
Personal development and learningDemonstrate willingness to learn and develop within the role.Show responsibility for self-reflection and personal development.To take part in annual appraisal, developing a personal development plan from which training needs will be identified and training undertaken.Undertake all mandatory trainingHandling data and informationAccess, input to and use data from appropriate electronic records, databases and spread sheets.Use appropriate technology and resources to find and process information.Apply the principles of data protection working within legal limitations with access and storage of data.Understand and adhere to data standards and confidentiality specific to the organisation.Prioritise workload using time and resources effectivelyBe organised in performing administrative tasks (including appointments, diaries, patient registers)ProfessionalismDemonstrate a non-judgemental and respectful attitude toward others.Act in ways to promote values of equality and diversity.Be emotionally resilient and remain calm under pressure.Manage stress with healthy coping mechanisms.Uphold the principles of confidentiality.Recognise own limitations and work within the boundaries of the role, seeking help when needed.Identify when a patients needs urgent help and intervene appropriately by alerting relevant professionals.Show consideration and compassion toward others.Education and In Service TrainingTraining will be provided to enable the successful candidate to be fully conversant in all the clinical computer systems used within the pilotAttend relevant study/induction days, seminars, courses etc for individual development and for the benefit of the serviceComplete mandatory trainingAttend team meetingsWhere necessary undertake relevant training in the operation of new or unfamiliar equipment, software or procedures will be provided
The above list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be fully comprehensive and may be amended to take account of changing circumstances or requirements following consultation with the post holder.
Please note that our roles are not being considered for sponsorship at this time.
Disability Confident EmployerAs users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy
DBS – The role is subject to a DBS check which will require three forms of valid ID to be produced and verified. The onboarding process is also subject to an Occupational Health check, suitable professional references and eligibility to work in the UK (with the requirement to provide relevant documentation as evidence).Person SpecificationExperience – EssentialPrevious experience in patient/client-facing roles and evidence of ability to use initiative and work independentlyPrevious experience of working in health, social care or information and advice, in direct contact with people, families or carers in a paid or voluntary capacityExperience in collating and presenting data in different formatsExperience contributing to meetings with internal and external stakeholders
DesirableExperience of working with people with a learning disability
Communication Skills – EssentialConfident in communication methods and able to communicate effectively with a range of customer and provider groups including people with a learning disabilityConfident and competent in the use of computer systems and able to record information accurately and in a timely mannerAble to convey clear messages to seniors in the organisation; customers/patients/carers, and other provider agencies, including the production of monthly KPI reportsAble to relate to and work with all professional and non-clinical staff within the organisation.
DesirableHealth coaching or motivational interviewing skills
Knowledge & Skills – EssentialConfident in the use of electronic records; databases and spreadsheetsAble to report any incidents that might compromise health and safety for self; other staff or patientsExcellent negotiation skillsHighly organised and reliable and willing to take responsibility for own actionAbility to work as a team memberAble to exercise initiativeMaintain confidentiality
DesirableExperience of EMIS clinical systemAdult and Child Safeguarding Level 2Basic life support trainingPersonal Qualities – EssentialPositive attitude towards other peopleAble to take initiative and prioritise workloadEffective organisational skillsAble to work under pressure and meet deadlinesExcellent interpersonal skillsCommitment to effective communication and attention to detailRespect for confidentialityAble to deal with conflict and distressAble to work in a challenging and changing environment, responding quickly and flexibly to new developmentsAble to problem solveWilling to learn and develop within the organisationEnthusiastic and committed to the roleFlexibleFull, clean driving licenseQualifications – DesirableMinimum GCSE English and Maths or equivalentNVQ Level 3 or equivalent in Health Care or working towardsMotivational Interviewing skills
The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. You will be expected to fulfil your mandatory safeguarding training at the level applicable to this role.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient appli…