Respiratory Specialist Nurse

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to provide additional clinical support the STSFT Lung Cancer Screening Programme (LCSP) which provides screening to people aged 55 to 74 years who have previously smoked and therefore are at risk of developing lung cancer across Sunderland and South Tyneside. The Programme is delivered by a small team providing Lung Health Checks and CT scans to a population of over 60,000 eligible participants. Working Monday to Friday, you will be based within South Tyneside District Hospital and will provide comprehensive risk assessments either by telephone or face to face to identify high risk participants that require further investigation. There may be an occasional requirement to provide lung health checks outside of normal office hours or across the local community as part of promotional activities. You will evaluate, assess and document individualised medical histories and use bespoke risk assessment algorithms to calculate the risk of cancer. You will work to agreed local, regional and national protocols ensuring participants are moved through the LCSP pathways for further radiology/respiratory assessment depending on lung health check outcomes and will always ensure that clinical practice is safe, effective and meets all requirements set by the national LCSP.

Main duties of the job

You should be friendly and approachable and act as a point of contact for any clinical questions or queries, providing advice and guidance on clinical presentations and agreeing appropriate actions. Due to the specialist nature of the role, you need to have experience in working in a respiratory clinical setting and have skills and experience to support service users through complex clinical pathways when screening for lung cancer. You will be able to recognise symptoms which need urgent intervention and/or referral to ED or primary care as appropriate. You will need to be confident in leading a team and managing change.

• You will provide daily clinical support to nurses working with the Lung Cancer Screening Programme (including those working via NHSP).
• You will provide Lung Health Checks to participants, either face to face or over the telephone, represent the programme locally and regionally, and ensure national and local performance standards relating to lung cancer screening are met.
• You will be responsible for the overall clinical management of lung cancer screening participants, reporting to Programme Management, Consultants and LCSP Director of Programme.
• Work in partnership with Respiratory and Radiology clinical teams and with primary care in ensuring clinical pathways are managed optimally and safely.

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year (Agenda for change, Band 6)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Closing date

29 October 2026

Essential experience

• Experience of working in the NHS.
• Experience of care delivery.
• Experience of the specialism (which would normally be gained through working at Band 5).
• Evidence of leading a team.
• Evidence of leading innovation in practice.
• Evidence of leading change management.
• Evidence of practice development.

Essential qualifications

• Current 1st level NMC registration.
• Degree in Nursing studies or relevant clinical degree or evidence that currently working towards this (UK equivalent).
• Mentorship Certificate / Practice Assessor training or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Clinical skills accreditation or willingness to complete.
• Qualification in Respiratory or equivalent experience.

Essential skills and knowledge

• Basic IT skills.
• Understanding of contemporary nursing issues.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Knowledge of how to facilitate learning.
• Leadership skills.
• Knowledge of current professional and clinical governance issues.
• Knowledge of research and clinical audit.
• Knowledge and experience of handling complex relationships and interpersonal dynamics.
• Proven interpersonal skills.
• Practice assessor / practice assessor skills.
• Evidence of competency in relation to nursing practices appropriate to the Post.
• Time management.
• Ability to assess, deliver, evaluate and benchmark quality care.

Desirable

• Experience of coordinating care for a caseload of patients.
• Budget management.
• Participation in recruitment and selection process.
• Experience in conducting research and critiquing clinical evidence.
• Experience in implementing quality frameworks.
• Leadership and Management course.
• Basic knowledge of financial management.
• Qualification in specialty.
• Resource management skills.
• Counselling and appraisal skills.

Employer contact

Lynda Reay, ,

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship are welcome. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.