Job summary
Specialist Screening Practitioner
Department: Bowel Cancer Screening
Band 6: £37,338 - £44,962 per annum
Full-time 37.5 hours per week (based at Wycombe Hospital), all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
An exciting opportunity for someone interested in bowel cancer to expand their nursing role has arisen. The Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire Bowel Cancer Screening Centre seeks a Specialist Screening Practitioner (SS) at Band 6 level for its Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP). This position is offered as a full-time permanent.
The programme is continuously expanding, bringing new challenges and exciting changes. The SSP role is diverse and involves providing autonomous care to patients participating in the BCSP. The SSP will offer guidance, support and clinical knowledge at each step of the patients journey in the programme.
We are committed to providing a high-quality service to our participants. We are looking for someone who cares about the people we see, can work on their initiative and thrives in a fast-paced environment. They must be willing to travel across sites when required to cover staff absence.
Interview date: 17th June 2025
Main duties of the job
To play a pivotal role in supporting the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Bowel Screening and Lynch screening Programme by: -
- Working collaboratively with the programme hub.
- As part of a team, coordinating and providing care from the screening centre to address the needs of individuals arising as a consequence of the screening programme.
- As part of a team, co-ordination of health promotion activities by all sections of the society.
About us
"We Care We Communicate We Collaborate We Contribute"
"A staggering 94.2% of nurses and midwives feel the impact of their roles of patients, underlining their integral contribution to healthcare" (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible workingopportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The duties of the SSP include providing advice, information and support to individuals who contact the screening centre directly. They will be responsible for providing care to patients identified by the screening programme and meeting their needs at every stage of the BCSP journey. This includes those who have been called to participate, those requiring assessment to be fit to undertake screening colonoscopy or alternative diagnostic interventions and those needing to be able to make informed decisions before undergoing screening colonoscopy or alternative diagnostic interventions.
The SSP will ensure timely access throughout the screening pathway to colonoscopy or alternative diagnostic intervention and a seamless transition to agreed pathways in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings. They will establish effective links with the local multidisciplinary teams to ensure that where cancer is detected, patients are presented and transferred to the MDT in a timely manner. The SSP will complete patient records for the screening services, including data on treatment , outcomes and staging provided by the MDT.
Nurse - patient relationship:
- Demonstrates and establishes a relationship of Trust with patients, carers, and families.
Management of patient health/illness status:
- To act as an expert practitioner in the management of patient illness, demonstrating advanced clinical skills and knowledge to professional staff and patients.
Education:
- Identifies the ongoing training and educational needs of patients, their carers, and their families about the prevention, treatment, and management of bowel screening.
Professional role:
- To analyse and interpret National recommendations, such as NSF / NICE guidance and formulate action plans to achieve compliance from a nursing perspective
Operational:
- Demonstrates expert skills and knowledge in the assessment, planning, and development of the bowel screening service.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The duties of the SSP include providing advice, information and support to individuals who contact the screening centre directly. They will be responsible for providing care to patients identified by the screening programme and meeting their needs at every stage of the BCSP journey. This includes those who have been called to participate, those requiring assessment to be fit to undertake screening colonoscopy or alternative diagnostic interventions and those needing to be able to make informed decisions before undergoing screening colonoscopy or alternative diagnostic interventions.
The SSP will ensure timely access throughout the screening pathway to colonoscopy or alternative diagnostic intervention and a seamless transition to agreed pathways in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings. They will establish effective links with the local multidisciplinary teams to ensure that where cancer is detected, patients are presented and transferred to the MDT in a timely manner. The SSP will complete patient records for the screening services, including data on treatment , outcomes and staging provided by the MDT.
Nurse - patient relationship:
- Demonstrates and establishes a relationship of Trust with patients, carers, and families.
Management of patient health/illness status:
- To act as an expert practitioner in the management of patient illness, demonstrating advanced clinical skills and knowledge to professional staff and patients.
Education:
- Identifies the ongoing training and educational needs of patients, their carers, and their families about the prevention, treatment, and management of bowel screening.
Professional role:
- To analyse and interpret National recommendations, such as NSF / NICE guidance and formulate action plans to achieve compliance from a nursing perspective
Operational:
- Demonstrates expert skills and knowledge in the assessment, planning, and development of the bowel screening service.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- NMC qualification
- Nursing Degree/ Diploma
- Knowledge of the Bowel Cancer/ Lynch Screening Programme.
- Knowledge of clinical governance, risk management, valid consent, and withdrawal of consent.
Desirable
- Completed JMU Specialist Screening Practitioner Course/willing to undertake the Specialist Screening Practitioner module at Level 6 or 7.
Experience
Essential
- Experience in acute settings.
- Experience in undertaking nurse-led clinics.
Desirable
- Experience in developing and influencing changing clinical practice.
- Significant experience in an endoscopy unit, assessment unit, or colorectal/ oncology specialist practice equivalent.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent management skills of self
- Comprehensive understanding of the needs of the patient group
- Effective team worker
- Ability to facilitate the management of change.
- Ability to work autonomously.
- Computer skills
- Effective communicator
- Ability to maintain accurate records & type/produce letter communication.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Able to demonstrate continued personal development and learning.
- Able to support and train the new band 5 screening practitioners.
- Maintain up-to-date mandatory training
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication/ written skills
- Ability to manage patient care with communication difficulties.
Desirable
- Advanced Communication skills course
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
- Willing to undertake the Specialist Screening Practitioner Module at level 6 or 7.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- NMC qualification
- Nursing Degree/ Diploma
- Knowledge of the Bowel Cancer/ Lynch Screening Programme.
- Knowledge of clinical governance, risk management, valid consent, and withdrawal of consent.
Desirable
- Completed JMU Specialist Screening Practitioner Course/willing to undertake the Specialist Screening Practitioner module at Level 6 or 7.
Experience
Essential
- Experience in acute settings.
- Experience in undertaking nurse-led clinics.
Desirable
- Experience in developing and influencing changing clinical practice.
- Significant experience in an endoscopy unit, assessment unit, or colorectal/ oncology specialist practice equivalent.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent management skills of self
- Comprehensive understanding of the needs of the patient group
- Effective team worker
- Ability to facilitate the management of change.
- Ability to work autonomously.
- Computer skills
- Effective communicator
- Ability to maintain accurate records & type/produce letter communication.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Able to demonstrate continued personal development and learning.
- Able to support and train the new band 5 screening practitioners.
- Maintain up-to-date mandatory training
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication/ written skills
- Ability to manage patient care with communication difficulties.
Desirable
- Advanced Communication skills course
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
- Willing to undertake the Specialist Screening Practitioner Module at level 6 or 7.
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).
