Deputy Lead Nurse Specialist

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Cervical Screening Wales (CSW) as a Deputy Lead Nurse Specialist based in Swansea. We are looking for someone with an excellent record within nursing and with experience of cervical screening, combined with commitment and training skills to support the delivery of the cervical screening programme in Wales.

As a key member of the CSW clinical team, the post holder will work in conjunction with the wider CSW clinical team, CSW management team and screening pathway teams to maintain and enhance the clinical quality of the cervical screening programme, by managing and resolving clinical issues and queries, and through the education, support, and development of cervical sample takers.

For further details about the post, please see the job description and person specification.

For more information or to arrange an informal visit, contact: Joanne Allan, Regional Programme Manager at

Main duties of the job The post holder works in conjunction with the CSW Clinical Lead, Lead Nurse Specialist, CSAD Manager and Regional Programme Manager to enhance and maintain the clinical quality of the cervical screening programme, by managing and resolving clinical issues and queries, and through the education, support and development of smear takers.

The post holder will be expected, to

• Make clinical decisions in conjunction with the Lead Nurse Specialist and act on issues relating to cervical screening.
• Work with the Lead Nurse Specialist to lead on the implementation of the cervical screening programme locally including liaison with senior staff in Health Boards, general practices and the general public and co-ordinate with other teams within Wales.
• To work clinically and maintain clinical skills and competencies including sample taking
• Be a point of contact for patient clinical queries
• To act in a supporting and developing role with health professionals within the programme through education and training, including maintaining the educational course content and e-learning and attendance databases

About us We are Public Health Wales - the national public health agency in Wales. Our purpose is 'Working together for a healthier Wales'. We exist to help everyone in Wales live longer, healthier, happier lives. Together with our partners, we work to increase healthy life expectancy, improve health and well-being, and reduce inequalities for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations.

Our teams work to prevent disease, protect health, and provide leadership, specialist services and public health expertise. We are the leading source of public health information, research and innovation in Wales. In a world facing complex health challenges, our work has never been so important.

We are guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that values equality and diversity. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and are supportive of flexible working arrangements, including part time roles and job sharing.

To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit

For guidance on the application process, please visit

Job responsibilities 1. Communication and Relationship Skills

• The post holder will communicate directly with screening participants, including women undergoing colposcopy which can be emotive, complex and highly sensitive.
• The post holder will use advanced communication skills to work with staff at all levels throughout the organisation, on both an all Wales level and regionally, and external agencies. Providing relevant advice to smear takers, laboratories, colposcopy services and service users. This requires negotiating, persuasive, motivational and reassurance skills

To collaboratively work with Health Boards and Primary Care on relevant elements of the programme to ensure high standards are maintained

• Work effectively in hostile, complex and antagonistic environments on matters of Quality Assurance and standards with Health Boards and Health Professionals

Provide information and advice to the CSW Clinical Lead and regional and national teams on the operation of the Programme within the defined area

• Use advanced communication and negotiating skills to inform users about cervical screening/colposcopy, including those that are anxious and/or have cognitive, communication or physical disabilities.

Work with service and health professionals to initiate and lead strategies to promote health and well being. To work with the Screening Engagement Team to enable health promotion and other work to be undertaken with relevant community groups voluntary sector, carers and the public

• To contribute and encourage sharing of information between all elements of the programme via websites, Screening Link etc
• Promote good communication and information giving to services uses, relatives and colleagues through the use of interpersonal skills.

Once the training needs of smear takers and administration staff have been identified, to work with the training facilitator to deliver the formal smear taking course and lead the local up-date training for smear takers administration staff and other relevant clinicians within the CSAD area

Working with the CSW clinical team take responsibility for maintaining the educational content of the sample taker training course, and maintain the e-learning module and attendance databases

Attend Regional Operational Group meetings when required

Support other CSW regions during staff absences

2. Knowledge, Training and Experience

To maintain clinical competence and use highly specialist knowledge, underpinned by theory and experience to ensure appropriate programmes of care and treatment

Maintain a high level of knowledge, in-depth expertise and professional competence in cervical screening, ensuring the delivery of appropriate evidence based care and advanced practice

Provide clinical expertise, specialist advice and support across the whole spectrum of the programme and to participate in the delivery of the training to a range of professionals.

To monitor the smear takers who have attended for training and target those who have not attended for training

To monitor and ensure the supervision/assessment of trainees during their practical training and probationary period

The post holder will deliver training to a range of medical and health care professionals in primary and secondary care.

3. Analytical and Judgemental Skills

• Monitor the performance of smear takers and colposcopy services against defined standards and action results as appropriate
• Ensure the implementation of failsafe arrangements and monitoring of all aspects of performance;
• The post holder will initiate action in cases where performance of smear takers and colposcopy services does not meet defined standards
• Ensure reporting and resolution of incidents occurring within the locality

To work in conjunction with the All Wales coordinator on highly complex decisions regarding women in the programme.

• Contribute to reports issued by Cervical Screening Wales

4. Planning and Organisational Skills

Actively contribute to strategic and operational developments relating to the colposcopy service enabling high quality, women focused services are promoted and developed.

Work with colposcopy staff to comply with Colposcopy SOPPS and ensure that they correctly input information onto the Colposcopy Information System enhancing the quality of the service

The post holder will work with Health Boards to plan and organise service developments in accordance with policy to ensure service targets are met in a timely manner

Liaise with outside organisations, to plan and develop their services to meet CSW requirements

Work with CSW clinical team to ensure timely updates of sample taker training materials

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5. Physical Skills

Be fully competent when performing a clinical role

Ensure health and safety standards are maintained when transporting promotional material.

As an all-Wales service the post holder is required to travel long distances, ensuring Trust policies are followed

6. Responsibility for Patient / Client Care

The post holder will provide highly specialised advice to women on their treatment and care.

Following Cervical Screening Wales policies and protocols, deliver effective investigation and treatment regimes. Deal with complex situations that arise and communicate results in an effective manner with the woman.

• Possess excellent counselling skills and apply throughout all stages of providing care, ensuring advice and care given to woman is evidence based and conforms to best practice

Act as a patient/staff advocate through the application of ethical, legal and professional knowledge and skills.

Refer patients on to other health/social professionals for relevant specialist input, ensuring effective co-ordinated care

7. Responsibility for Policy / Service Development Implementation

• Participate in the determination of operational, strategic policies and procedures for the cervical screening programme.
• Support the local implementation of agreed policies and procedures . click apply for full job details