Job summary

Be at the forefront of transforming colorectal cancer pathways and making a real difference to patient outcomes.

As a Colorectal Triage Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), you will play a pivotal role in shaping and developing the Trust's innovative Straight to Test (STT) Colorectal Service. Working at the heart of a fast paced, patient focused pathway, you will lead telephone assessment and triage clinics for urgent colorectal referrals, using your advanced clinical skills to make key decisions about patients' diagnostic journeys.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a Greater Manchester wide transformation programme, helping to establish and develop STT services across the region. Your contribution will be instrumental in achieving national cancer targets, including the 28 day Faster Diagnosis Standard, ensuring patients receive a diagnosis and access to treatment as quickly as possible. If you are passionate about service improvement, autonomous clinical decision making and delivering outstanding cancer care, this role offers the chance to make a lasting impact on both patients and the future of colorectal services.

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering and developing an innovative colorectal cancer service, helping patients access timely investigations and diagnoses while improving their experience throughout the cancer pathway.

As a Colorectal Triage Clinical Nurse Specialist, you will take responsibility for the assessment and management of patients referred by GPs with suspected colorectal cancer. Working autonomously, you will triage urgent referrals and undertake both telephone and face to face assessments, using your expert clinical judgement to determine each patient's suitability for endoscopic investigation and identify the most appropriate next steps in their care.

You will work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues, primary care teams and referring GPs to ensure patients receive a seamless, high quality service. As a confident decision maker, you will communicate complex and sensitive information with compassion and professionalism, empowering patients to make informed choices about their care and acting as their advocate throughout the diagnostic pathway.

This is a rewarding and influential role for a motivated nurse who is passionate about cancer care, service development and improving outcomes for patients undergoing investigation for suspected colorectal cancer.

About us

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, and Salford, to save and improve lives.As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and collaborating closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we are always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire - to join our team.In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.

Details

Date posted

01 November 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

236-SUR-NM224-26

Job locations

Salford Royal Hospital

Stott Lane

Salford

Greater Manchester

M6 8HD

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7CBryonie.Lyons%40nca.nhs.uk%7C0cbc1ce8f93f489061db08df2db3b113%7C9a12677ec2e94deba58aee1c59ac0161%7C0%7C0%7C639279921934926589%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=l5fKz94BARMzH2cGpF%2FTswscd8am%2B1vu9%2FjlL3cIESI%3D&reserved=0

The NCA is committed to providing inclusive, accessible care and building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, identities and beliefs.

We are proud supporters of the Armed Forces community and offer a guaranteed interview to eligible applicants who meet the essential criteria. As a Disability Confident Employer, we also guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.

Vacancies may close early where high application volumes are received or an internal redeployee is identified.

For fixed term roles, current NHS staff will be considered for secondments, while fixed term contracts will be offered to external (non-NHS) applicants.

If you are applying for a secondment, please discuss this with your line manager before applying. Any secondment offer will be subject to management approval and service needs. Where release cannot be supported, the secondment may unfortunately be unable to proceed.

Job description Job responsibilities To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7CBryonie.Lyons%40nca.nhs.uk%7C0cbc1ce8f93f489061db08df2db3b113%7C9a12677ec2e94deba58aee1c59ac0161%7C0%7C0%7C639279921934926589%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=l5fKz94BARMzH2cGpF%2FTswscd8am%2B1vu9%2FjlL3cIESI%3D&reserved=0The NCA is committed to providing inclusive, accessible care and building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, identities and beliefs.We are proud supporters of the Armed Forces community and offer a guaranteed interview to eligible applicants who meet the essential criteria. As a Disability Confident Employer, we also guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.Vacancies may close early where high application volumes are received or an internal redeployee is identified.For fixed term roles, current NHS staff will be considered for secondments, while fixed term contracts will be offered to external (non-NHS) applicants.If you are applying for a secondment, please discuss this with your line manager before applying. Any secondment offer will be subject to management approval and service needs. Where release cannot be supported, the secondment may unfortunately be unable to proceed.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• RGN Level 1 or 2 Degree or Diploma in Nursing Studies and evidence of subsequent professional development to PG Diploma level
• Registered Nurse with current NMC registration (Part 1 Adult / General Level 1 or 2)

Desirable

• Post Registration Certificate in colorectal or cancer (or equivalent)

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience at band 6 or above
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Knowledge of colorectal cancer and experience in colorectal services
• Ability to continually prioritise to deliver a high standard of nursing care
• Ability to work as part of a small team and work independently with no direct supervision
• Good problem solving skills and adaptability
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Knowledge of the Best Timed Colorectal Diagnostic Pathway across GM
• Good IT and writing skills
• Flexibility with working hours fit rostering

Desirable

• Leadership experience
• Advanced communication skills training
• Experience of running nurse led clinics
• Experience of establishing a new service
• Management experience
• Has an understanding of cancer services in Greater Manchester

Person Specification Qualifications & Training Essential RGN Level 1 or 2 Degree or Diploma in Nursing Studies and evidence of subsequent professional development to PG Diploma level Registered Nurse with current NMC registration (Part 1 Adult / General Level 1 or 2) Desirable Post Registration Certificate in colorectal or cancer (or equivalent) Knowledge, Skills & Experience Essential Demonstrable experience at band 6 or above Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) Knowledge of colorectal cancer and experience in colorectal services Ability to continually prioritise to deliver a high standard of nursing care Ability to work as part of a small team and work independently with no direct supervision Good problem solving skills and adaptability Evidence of continued professional development Knowledge of the Best Timed Colorectal Diagnostic Pathway across GM Good IT and writing skills Flexibility with working hours fit rostering Desirable Leadership experience Advanced communication skills training Experience of running nurse led clinics Experience of establishing a new service Management experience Has an understanding of cancer services in Greater Manchester

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).

Additional information 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

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Salford Royal Hospital

Stott Lane

Salford

Greater Manchester

M6 8HD

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Salford Royal Hospital

Stott Lane

Salford

Greater Manchester

M6 8HD

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)