About this role
Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join an engaging and dynamic team that expects outstanding assessment, collaboration and coordination skills to deliver the Lung Cancer Screening Programme (LCSP) for patients in Berkshire and the surrounding areas. The primary aim of the LCSP is to promote the early detection of lung cancer to save lives. The Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the Thames Valley Cancer Alliance have identified areas within Berkshire with high disease and smoking rates where significant progress can be made by identifying early-stage lung cancer.
The objective of the programme is to focus resources on individuals aged 55 to 74 who are current or former smokers. The programme aims to lower overall deaths by catching aggressive cancers before they reach advanced, untreatable stages, whilst also addressing other hidden health issues found during scans, such as early-stage emphysema or heart-vessel disease, by connecting patients to proper care.
The LCSP Nurse will assist the Responsible Assessor, Programme Manager and clinical team in executing the programme, following the framework set by the LCSP National Programme and National Protocol.
This is a permanent position and will be part of the National Lung Cancer Screening Programme, which is a vital component of early cancer diagnosis and aligns with the NHS Long Term Plan.
Main duties of the job
The individual in this role will be expected to deliver specialised knowledge and care to patients and their caregivers. They will assist colleagues in managing patients who require a high level of judgment, discretion, and decision-making in both inpatient and outpatient environments. Additionally, the post-holder will be responsible for providing education and training to patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
This position requires a highly skilled individual capable of working independently in a stimulating and challenging environment to achieve efficient outcomes.
About us
The Respiratory Medicine team are based in our own self-contained department providing a comprehensive range of outpatient services with a full respiratory physiology service. We have an inpatient unit comprising 50 beds, eight beds of which are within a dedicated Respiratory Support Unit. We have a purpose built pleural procedures room on the ward for pleural lists with the aim of also providing a thoracoscopy service in the near future.
The lung cancer service is a dynamic unit diagnosing >200 cases of lung cancer per year. Currently there are six consultants who contribute to the service, supported by 2 lung cancer specialist nurses, and a dedicated administration team. The department has been offering lung cancer screening since 2025 with excellent uptake. We are proud to consistantly deliver against the 14-day and 28-day cancer performance standards.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The key competencies required for the position are:
- Provide expert nursing guidance to patients and their families.
- Function independently while also being an effective member of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Conduct telephone and face-to face clinics that are led by and alongside nursing, Consultants and physician associates
- Complete individualised patient assessments in line with national protocol to develop tailored care plans in partnership with patients and their caregivers.
- Ensure accurate record keeping of patient details, assessments and programme eligibility to ensure accurate documentation and tracking of patients during their lung cancer screening programme pathway.
- Offer advice on health promotion strategies and smoking cessation.
- Ensure and manage appropriate onwards speciality referrals for patients to ensure care needs are met.
- Maintain a working knowledge of respiratory devices, such as inhalers, spirometers, and compressors.
- Be familiar with the relevant policies and procedures of the Royal Berkshire Hospital and community services related to operational practices.
- Ensure that up-to-date, patient-centred information is accessible to patients and their families.
- Participate in audits and collect relevant data to support service improvement.
These duties may be subject to review based on the individual's experience and any developments within the service. Any such review will be conducted in collaboration with the post holder.
Person Specification
Education/Qualification
Essential
- Registered Nurse on the NMC register
- Evidence of relevant post qualification study at postgraduate level or equivalent knowledge.
Desirable
- International Certification of Digital Literacy (ICDL)
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Minimum 3 years at Band 5 in the relevant setting.
- Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary / interdisciplinary team.
- Understanding of local and national lung cancer pathway and challenges.
Desirable
- Experience working within respiratory or lung cancer services
Personal Characterisitcs
Essential
- Strong team-working and flexibility to meet the needs of the post
- Ability to travel to multiple sites and in the community at spoke CT scanners
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
London Road
Reading
RG1 5AN
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)