Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Improving quality and outcomes

• To be an integrated member of the breast screening team and wider service who actively initiates new, and contributes to existing, improving uptake projects (by the breast screening service or local partners), ensuring that a quality service is provided to all 
  service users.
• Focuses on reducing health inequalities by developing and contributing to interventions – by the service and external partners – to improve uptake of screening by groups vulnerable to non-participation.
• Actively supports the screening team and contributes to achieving key performance indicators.  
• Actively engages with system partners to improve screening uptake, providing key knowledge of the screening programme.
• Uses evidence and learns from best practice across the region and further afield (including other screening programmes) to inform work.  
• Continually maintains records to be able to produce timely quarterly Screening Uptake reports and end of year reports which contribute to the overall service annual report.  

Breast Screening Programme Specific Priorities  
 
Key priorities for the Improving Uptake Officer in breast screening include; 
 

• Ensuring Prior Notification Lists (PNL) are returned to the breast screening programme prior to individuals being invited for screening.
   
  The PNL is a way practices can notify the breast screening programme of any individuals 
  who may require reasonable adjustments to support them to access screening or who may need to be excluded from the programme.  
   
  Examples of individuals who may need reasonable adjustments includes those who have:  
  o a severe mental illness 
  o a learning disability   
  o are transgender 
  o require an Interpreter  
  o had a bilateral mastectomy 
  o a physical disability  
   
  Working directly with PCNs/GP practices, the Improving Screening Uptake Officer will;
• Ensure the target for the return of the PNL from all GP practices is achieved (achievable target 90%; acceptable target 80%).  
• Liaise with the ICB Place Leads and other colleagues to access support with achieving PNL targets.
• Supporting GP Practices to improve breast screening uptake – targeting the practices with the lowest uptake rates: 
   
  Reducing unwarranted variation in screening is key to reducing health inequalities. In advance of a mobile screening unit moving to a new location/a new screening round, the Improving Screening Uptake Officer will:  

• Identify and contact at least the 10 lowest performing GP practices prior to a screening round.
• Liaise with colleagues at Place, Local Authority or practice level to identify ways to improve uptake e.g. by sharing resources and tools included in the Care Coordinator Screening toolkit (below) and providing support to GP practices/community champions to engage with specific target groups (e.g. non responders, first timers, specific population groups) by sharing relevant resources. 
• Establish and agree a process to monitor and evaluate the impact of interventions.
• All individuals with a learning disability to receive a pre-appointment telephone call.
• All Individuals to be offered a reasonable adjustments plan and easy read materials.
• Monitor the number of individuals with a learning disability who take up the offer of screening.
• Develop an easy read patient satisfaction survey for individuals with a learning disability – this can be done in collaboration with other C&M and L&SC Improving Uptake Officers.
• Develop an Improving Uptake Plan that outlines key pieces of work to be undertaken over the following 6-12 months. The plan should be developed with support and input from the Programme Manager and be shared with the Operational Group (which includes representatives from Local Authorities). Progress updates on the plan should be given at subsequent operational 
  meetings.
• Produce the Screening Uptake Quarterly report (outlined in Reporting Schedule) to include:  
   
  o Number and type of direct contact/engagement/interventions with external partners including GP practices, local authorities, ICB Place and third sector community groups and evidence the impact interventions have delivered. 
  o Rationale for interventions based on programme data/insight work e.g. specific GP practice, non-responders or particular population group.  
  o Evaluation of intervention e.g. Number of non-responders that have attended a subsequent appointment change in percentage uptake by GP practice.  
  o Lessons learned from work that impacts on wider screening service development and improvement.  
   
  Enabling patient and public involvement
• To act as a champion for patients and support them in decision-making about screening participation.
• To ensure all public and patient contact is of the highest professional standard.
• Engage with community groups to offer breast screening promotion/education and awareness sessions.
   
  Promoting equality and reducing inequalities
• To uphold Trust/organisation policies and principles on the promotion of equality.
• To create an inclusive working environment where diversity is valued, everyone can contribute, and ensure we meet our duty to uphold and promote equality.
• Implement the recommendations/learning from pilots from the NHS England North West Public Health team 2-year programme of work to improve uptake of screening by individuals with a learning disability.   
   
   
  Developing an excellent organisation
• To ensure health, safety, and wellbeing of all staff within the department.
• To ensure compliance with all confidentiality and governance requirements within the department.
• The post holder will undertake any training required as relevant to the post.
   
   
  Project Management
• Work towards agreed performance objectives, actions and targets as contained in the improving uptake action plans, service plans and individual action plans.
• To collect patient data and input this as per information and governance protocols.
• To support evaluation and data processes as required by the screening programme.
• Analyse and report on data and utilise information to inform improving uptake initiatives.
• To participate in audits and research in aspects of improving uptake for breast screening as directed by the management team and present results. 
• Organise events to promote the breast screening programme.  
   
  Information and Communication Management 
   
  • Carry out timely and accurate information analysis and reporting on agreed areas of portfolio and present findings in an agreed manner. 
  • Develop and maintain databases required by the improving uptake role.
  • Maintain administrative and information resources. 
  • To ensure that a wide range of national or approved material including links to online resources/leaflets in different formats ( e.g. Easy Read) and languages and other resources are available in the Breast Screening Department to support events.   
  • To facilitate effective engagement and communication between GP practices, local authorities and ICB Places and the general public across their specific geographical area. 
  • To attend Improving Uptake meetings / events and to feedback relevant information to the screening team.   
  • To attend monthly Programme and staff meetings to update the screening team with progress with activities.  
  • To contribute to the production, distribution, and collation of customer satisfaction questionnaires. 
• Review national breast screening literature and update any local material relating to the project, to ensure the most up to date information is being communicated.  
  • Monitor the breast screening web pages on the Trust website in liaison with Management Team. Inform the Trust Communications team of any changes required.  
  • To source appropriate resources to support the breast screening improving uptake project. 
  • Under guidance from the Trust Communications team and the screening management team; use appropriate media for the promotion of the programme. Monitor comments 
  posted and reply (if appropriate) using pre agreed responses. Report any inappropriate comments to the Programme Manager/Head of Department.
   
  Planning and Organisation  
  • Under guidance from the Programme Manager, access site specific uptake data and demographic data to develop an understanding of the population groups not attending for screening and work with system partners i.e. Community groups/champions to 
  understand the barriers that these population groups may face in accessing screening services.  
  • Implement a comprehensive improving uptake and communications plan raising awareness across communities/community groups serviced by the programme. 
  • Organise meetings or events and assist in the diary management requirements of individuals in connection with portfolio of work. 
  • To proactively contact service users and obtain an understanding as to the reasons why they have failed to attend for breast screening and implement interventions as appropriate to encourage the individual to engage. 
  • Support eligible individuals and where appropriate their family /carer to navigate through the breast screening pathway.   
  • To provide “one to one” education in-person or via telephone on the benefits of breast screening.  
  • Help the individual understand the information they are given, offering emotional support and rearranging appointments if necessary. 
  • To answer queries about screening, acquiring professional advice from screening colleagues in advance where needed.  
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the breast screening pathway and department protocols in supporting individuals.   
  • To manage own area and own time, working around group meetings outside of core hours as required.  
  • Working with public/health sector partners to plan and engage the voluntary, community and faith sector in promoting the uptake of the breast screening programme. 
  • To carry out other relevant activities appropriate to the post and adhere to levels of responsibility associated to said post.