Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for the recruitment to the role of Specialist Screening Practitioner (SSP) within the Cheshire Bowel Cancer Screening Centre based at Leighton Hospital.  This post  would suit a qualified patient facing staff member with current NMC/HCPC registration, who is keen to develop their knowledge and skills in a specialist Colorectal role.

Although the programme offices are based at Leighton hospital the clinical team cover the whole of Cheshire and as such we would welcome applications from registered healthcare professionals located in West and East Cheshire as well as those local to Leighton.

We are a busy service and we have recently expanded the screening age to include all 50-60 year olds. As such  the post holder will be expected to work on his/her own initiative and as a part of a team. They will also be required to be able to work flexibly with potential for evening and weekend shifts as the service expands.

Applicants who fail to supply a detailed supporting statement specifying how their skills and experience match the person specification contained in the job description will not be invited for interview.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide the highest standard of care and support for patients participating in the English National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.  Applicants must be a Registered Nurse (level 1) or Allied Healthcare Professional with a qualification in a patient facing profession (EG; Radiographer, Operating Department Practitioner, Paramedic or similar), with or working towards a health related degree or with an equivalent level of experience.  They must have the ability to communicate sensitive and complex information, and have good IT and team working skills. 

The post is varied and includes providing both face to face and telephone clinics led by the SSP for individuals who have tested positive for Faecal Occult Blood, attending endoscopy at units across Cheshire for colonoscopy lists and providing results including cancer diagnosis.

The post holder will have responsibility for assessing, informing and supporting individuals throughout the screening pathway, manging their own patient case load and auditing practice. Travelling independently between hospital and clinic settings forms an integral part of the role.

Working for our organisation

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) provides good quality, safe and  effective healthcare to the people of Cheshire and beyond. The Trust, which manages Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford, was established as an NHS Trust in April 1991 and became a Foundation Trust in April 2008.

We employ almost 5,000 members of staff, provide around 540 hospital beds, with a range of services including accident and emergency, maternity, outpatients, therapies, and children's health.

The Trust is also part of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP), a unique local health partnership that provides a range of community services for people across South Cheshire and Vale Royal.

During the Coronavirus pandemic, the Trust was recognised nationally for its Be Safe Be EquiPPEd campaign, which aimed to make the Trust as safe as possible for staff and patients, through supporting the correct use of PPE. The results in the 2020 national NHS Staff Survey showed improvements in all elements of the safety culture theme, with 92% of respondents feeling their role made a difference to our patients. We were also recognised nationally for our workforce health and wellbeing initiatives. At Mid Cheshire, we value our staff and appreciate that in order to give our patients the best quality, compassionate care, we also need to look after our colleagues.