Specialist Screening Practitioner

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme has been successfully rolled out across the UK over the last decade and is now well established and recognised as reducing the number of people who die from bowel cancer by 16%.

Due to continued development and expansion of the service we are looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic nurse to join this exciting and fast moving service.

The main function of your role will be to assess participant's suitability for colonoscopy, inform and support them through the process, including communicating results, providing a quality service and maintaining accurate records that reflect this.

You will be required to attend Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings and link with health promotion teams to improve uptake and inclusivity.

You should be able to work independently and autonomously across Bedfordshire Foundation NHS Trust but with the benefit of working within a supportive team environment.

It's essential that you have good organisational and communications skills and you must be able to work flexibly as our screening lists may be undertaken 7 days a week.

If you are considering making an application you are strongly advised to contact Jamunadevi Doraikannu- Lead Specialist Screening Practitioner on or email to arrange an Informal visit

This role will include the delivery of nurse-led and virtual clinics, within the community of Luton and Bedfordshire.

You will act as the individuals' advocate, supporting and empowering them and their family to make informed choices and decisions about their screening examination, care, treatment and future participation, through all stages of the screening programme.

You will be involved in assessing individuals, making decisions based on the outcomes of your assessment and managing your own caseload.

You will participate at colorectal cancer multidisciplinary team meetings (MDT's) in the participating individuals' relevant Trust.

You need to be able to work well within a team and also work autonomously as an individual.

You will be expected to communicate sensitive and bad news to individuals when required.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new external staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

The post will be based at Bedford Hospital though cross site working to Luton and Dunstable Hospital will be required.

You will be allocated a mentor who will support you through a comprehensive induction and training and you will be required to attend a 2 day virtual course to use the Bowel Cancer Screening database.

You would be expected to successfully complete a Specialist Screening Practitioner certificate within 12 months of employment at Liverpool John Moore's University.