Lung Cancer Screening Nurse in Hereford

This is a truly exciting opportunity to make a difference. The Lung Cancer Screening Program in Herefordshire is funded by the NHSE National Cancer Program via the West Midlands Cancer Alliance, and this is a collaborative approach with Wye Valley NHS Trust to support earlier diagnosis of lung cancer in Herefordshire by raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer, promoting positive messages around early diagnosis and actively targeting people at highest risk of having lung cancer, so that they receive the checks and tests to aid early diagnosis. Alongside this, and to promote disease prevention, measures will also include activity to reduce smoking prevalence via smoking cessation and support to improve overall health and well-being.

This role is for 30 hours per week and will be based at Nelson House and Enhanced Access Hubs. This position is clinic based and possible remote working. This is a fixed term position for 2 years.

Main duties of the job:

• The post holder will deliver advanced nursing assessments as part of the Lung Cancer screening Health Check programme.
• Patients identified as high risk through initial screening (Band 3 nurse assessment) will be referred to the Band 6 nurse for further evaluation.
• The Band 6 nurse will conduct face to face or remote consultations (according to patient preference), assess suitability for low-dose CT (LDCT) scanning, and make direct referrals into the cancer and diagnostic pathways.

Taurus Healthcare was established in 2012, as the provider arm of the GP Federation serving 185,000 patients in Herefordshire. Founded and owned by the partners of the entire Herefordshire Primary Care community, Taurus is focused on providing excellent out of hospital services for patients. Our ethos is to provide high quality and cost-effective health outcomes that are delivered as close as possible to the patients home, whilst ensuring that patients who do require in hospital services are seen as quickly and effectively as possible.

Taurus Healthcare offer many employee benefits, such as:

• Access to a generous NHS pension scheme with 23.78% employer contribution.
• 33 to 38 days annual leave entitlement, including bank holidays, depending on service (pro rata for part-time staff).
• Access to an extensive Employee Benefits Programme (Vivup) offering:

• 24/7 access to counselling services
• Salary sacrifice scheme for cars and bikes
• Access to a wide range of discounts from national retailers

Due to current licence limitations, visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must already hold the right to work in the UK.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct nurse-led consultations (face-to-face or remote) with patients identified as high risk by validated tools (LLPv2 and PLCOm2012).
• Identify and assess any new or concerning symptoms that may warrant expedited referral and initiate appropriate fast track cancer pathway referrals outside of the routine screening timetable.
• Assess patient eligibility and suitability for low-dose CT scanning.
• Obtain informed consent for LDCT and referral into relevant pathways.
• Make direct referrals into cancer diagnostic pathways and radiology (LDCT) in line with local and national protocols (training provided).
• Provide personalised risk communication and health education regarding lung cancer, respiratory health, and smoking cessation.
• Identify and address patient concerns including psychological wellbeing, safeguarding, or co-morbidities impacting care.
• Work collaboratively with radiology, respiratory, oncology and smoking cessation services.
• Maintain infection prevention and control (IPC) standards in line with Trust policy, and undertake any additional reasonable duties as required by the organisation.

Professional:

• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records on approved systems.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and contribute to case discussions.
• Engage in quality assurance, audit, and service evaluation.
• Keep up to date with relevant clinical knowledge, including use of risk prediction tools (LLPv2, PLCOm2012) and referral processes.
• Supervise and support Band 3 staff in patient selection and referral processes.

Person Specification:

Experience:

• Evidence of autonomous patient assessment and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication skills, including remote consultation.
• Able to communicate effectively verbally and written, with representatives of other organisations.
• Experience of supervising or managing others.
• Teamwork and co-operation to achieve optimal results.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Ability to use initiative to resolve problems and/or suggest improvements.
• Computer literate, including use of word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, the internet, patient database systems and presentation software.
• Ability to manage competing demands and prioritise these appropriately.
• Strong inter-personal skills with colleagues, clinicians, patients, managers, and other stakeholders.
• Customer Service skills.
• Access to own vehicle and clean driving license.

Desirable:

• Experience of using EMIS.
• Clinical skills to include recording ECGs, phlebotomy.
• Experience of oncology or cancer related work, respiratory knowledge, ill-health prevention and health promotion strategies.

Personal Qualities or Attributes:

• Friendly and approachable.
• Reliable individual.
• Working effectively with a team.
• Ability to troubleshoot and think on their feet.

Qualifications:

• Current NMC Registration (Adult Nursing).
• Nursing Degree or equivalent.

Desirable:

• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Knowledge of LLPv2 and PLCOm2012 desirable but training can be offered.

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.