Lung Cancer Screening Nurse - Band 8a

Lung Cancer Screening (formerly known as the Targeted Lung Health Check programme) is a national programme of work which involves identifying and screening patients who may be at high risk of developing lung cancer. Patients aged between 55 and 74 with a current or ex-smoker record on their GP notes will be invited for a Lung Cancer Screening appointment and their risk for lung cancer will be assessed.

If high risk for lung cancer, they will be offered a low dose CT thorax (LDCT) in a community setting.

The Responsible Assessor for the Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) programme is a key role working with patients, clinicians, and other partners, to implement Lung Cancer Screening across the Essex ICB. It is an integral part of the overall programme governance structure with specific responsibility for the safety and operational aspects of the process to select and assess the individual cases for entry into the programme.

They will provide clinical leadership and professional oversight of the Lung Cancer Screening pathway, supporting the assessment and management of participants and contributing to the day‑to‑day operational delivery of the service. The post holder will work closely with the Respiratory Department, Community Providers and ICB colleagues to ensure safe, effective and patient‑centred care.

They will also be required to represent the service at appropriate meetings within the Trust and to promote the service to the wider health community.

The role is also an integral part of the team delivering a Faster Diagnostic service to the lung pathway. The primary purpose of the role is to provide advanced clinical assessment, decision‑making and pathway management for patients undergoing Lung Cancer Screening and Faster Diagnostic Standard pathways, acting as an expert clinical practitioner within the multidisciplinary team.

The post holder should have highly developed knowledge, skills and clinical expertise in diagnosis, management and treatment of lung cancer.

This is a senior nursing role that leads the drive to improve the quality of patient care across the lung service. In conjunction with the Matron, Clinical Lead and service manager, the post holder will work across organisational boundaries to ensure appropriate services are in place and to deliver national and local strategic and operational service objectives and quality standards.

The role provides assessment of new suspected lung cancer referrals through triaging and then forming an individual care plan for the patient. The role will follow these patients through their pathway until diagnosis or discharge. The responsible role holder will provide expert clinical advice working with cancer referrals office and cancer performance team to ensure the 28 day Faster Diagnostic Standard is met.

They will be responsible for managing their own case load of patients ensuring a high quality, effective, safe and efficient service.

• Setting up post LDCT Screening Review Meetings and linking in with clinical colleagues to discuss those patients with significant findings.
• To act as facilitator, educator and role‑model in delivering a comprehensive lung cancer service
• To work collaboratively with clinical and nursing colleagues, community teams and designated health and social care organisation in delivering appropriate patient centric treatment and care
• The post holder is expected to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff members characterised by trust, mutual respect and open, honest communication.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high‑quality services. We are part of the…