Cancer Early Diagnosis Coordinator

Cancer Early Diagnosis Coordinator Job Description

Cancer Early Diagnosis Coordinator

Salary:

Working Hours:
Reports to:
Accountable to:

Appointment type:

Main Location:

£26,620 pro rata plus up to 6% pension contribution and
generous annual leave entitlement. Macmillan
Professional Status and training.
2 x 37.5 hours per week 1 x 22.5 hours per week
Service Manager
Cancer Services Manager
1 Year fixed Contract (initial stage – potential to become
permanent, subject to funding)
Hybrid between GP practices, Self Help UK Office in
Nottingham, community venues, and home working.

Context
Cancer outcomes in Nottingham City remain below the national average, with stark inequalities
in screening uptake and a high proportion of late-stage diagnoses. These disparities are
particularly pronounced among marginalised and underserved communities, where barriers
such as language, cultural differences, and socioeconomic challenges contribute to poorer
health outcomes.

To address this, Self Help UK has partnered with NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the East Midlands Cancer Alliance to launch a pioneering
initiative aimed at improving early cancer diagnosis. This 12-month pilot focuses on increasing
participation in cancer screening programmes—particularly bowel cancer screening—through
targeted, community-based engagement and personalised support.

Aligned with the NHS Long-Term Plan, which prioritises early diagnosis and reducing health
inequalities, this initiative seeks to ensure that by 2028, 75% of cancers are diagnosed at stage
1 or 2. The programme will work within Primary Care Network (PCN) areas to identify
individuals at higher risk, provide tailored navigation and support, and collaborate with local
leaders and voluntary sector partners to deliver culturally competent outreach. Activities such
as Community Screening Roadshows will empower residents to recognise cancer symptoms,
overcome barriers to screening, and take proactive steps toward better health.

This role offers an opportunity to make a tangible impact on health equity, helping
Nottingham’s most vulnerable populations access life-saving screening and challenging the
systemic factors that lead to late diagnosis.

Job Purpose and Objectives
The Cancer Early Diagnosis Coordinator will play a pivotal role in delivering Nottingham’s new
initiative to tackle health inequalities and improve cancer outcomes. This role is designed to
support the NHS Long-Term Plan’s ambition that by 2028, 75% of cancers are diagnosed at

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Cancer Early Diagnosis Coordinator Job Description

stage 1 or 2, by focusing on increasing screening uptake and awareness among marginalised
and underserved communities.

Key objectives include:

•

Increase screening uptake by providing personalised, culturally competent support to
individuals who have not responded to screening invitations and those identified as
higher-risk.

•  Deliver education and awareness activities across Nottingham City to improve

understanding of cancer signs and symptoms and promote participation in screening
programmes.

•  Support individuals and families to overcome practical, cultural, and emotional

barriers to accessing screening and early diagnosis.

•  Build strong partnerships with GP practices, Primary Care Networks, community
organisations, and public health teams to ensure joined-up, holistic support.

•  Capture and report outcomes to demonstrate impact, share learning, and inform

future commissioning decisions.

This role is central to reducing late-stage cancer diagnoses and improving health equity,
ensuring that people in Nottingham’s most vulnerable communities have the knowledge,
confidence, and support to engage with life-saving screening programmes.

Key Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities

1. Screening Outreach and Support

•

In partnership with your target Primary Care Network practices (PCN’s), use NHS-
approved systems and data to identify individuals who have not responded to cancer
screening invitations, prioritising underserved and higher-risk groups in line with
CORE20PLUS5 priorities.

•  Provide personalised navigation and support to approximately 25 individuals per year,
helping them overcome barriers such as language, cultural differences, and practical
challenges.

•  Record and monitor changes in screening uptake, ensuring accurate reporting to

demonstrate impact and inform future commissioning.

2. Awareness and Community Engagement

•  Plan and deliver culturally competent outreach sessions, workshops, and events to raise

awareness of cancer signs, symptoms, and screening programmes.

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Cancer Early Diagnosis Coordinator Job Description

•  Co-produce activities with community members and volunteers to ensure relevance

and accessibility.

•  Deliver a minimum of eight community awareness sessions annually, targeting areas

with the greatest health inequalities.

3. Partnership and Collaboration

•  Build strong working relationships with GP practices, Primary Care Networks, public

health teams, and voluntary sector partners to deliver joined-up support.

•  Develop strong working relationship with the NUH Bowel Screening Hub to facilitate

supported access to services.

•  Share insights and learning across Nottingham City to improve consistency and

effectiveness of early diagnosis initiatives.

•  Support wider Macmillan and Self Help UK programmes to embed holistic, non-clinical

support into cancer pathways.

4. Working with Volunteers

•  Working with the SHUK Volunteer Lead Coordinator, develop a range of

•

volunteer opportunities to support the programme of activity.
Identify clients who would benefit from 1:1 support to access screening
services and follow up appointment and match with a pool of trained
volunteers

•  Support the training and development of Screening Volunteers and Buddies

with the Volunteer Lead Coordinator.

•  Support a small team of volunteers for community events and activities in

your target PCN area.

5. Data, Monitoring, and Evaluation

•  Maintain accurate records of outreach, engagement, and outcomes using agreed

systems.

•  Provide quarterly reports to Self Help UK and NHS ICB stakeholders.
•  Contribute to qualitative evaluation through case studies, testimonials, and focus

groups to capture the lived experience of service users.

6. Governance and Compliance

•  Adhere to Self Help UK and NHS policies, including safeguarding, data protection

(GDPR), and information governance protocols.

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Cancer Early Diagnosis Coordinator Job Description

•  Ensure compliance with health and safety standards and confidentiality requirements

at all times.

7. Professional Development

•  Participate in induction, supervision, and continuous professional development

opportunities, including NHS and external training.

•  Engage in reflective practice and peer learning to enhance professional growth.

8. Other Duties

•  Attend and contribute to internal and external meetings as required.
•  Work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of the

community.

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Cancer Early Diagnosis Coordinator Job Description

Essential Criteria

Knowledge

Person Specification
Cancer Care Coordinator (Primary Care Network)

Desirable Criteria (if not attained, development may be available
for successful candidate)

•  Understanding of cancer and its impact on individuals, families,

•  Knowledge of the CORE20PLUS5 framework and NHS priorities

for reducing health inequalities.

•  Understanding of self-help groups, peer support, and the role of

•

the voluntary sector in health improvement.
Familiarity with Macmillan Cancer Support and local cancer
pathways.

and communities.

•  Awareness of cancer screening programmes (e.g. bowel, breast,
cervical and lung) and their importance in early diagnosis.
•  Knowledge of health inequalities and culturally competent

approaches to engagement.

•  Understanding of safeguarding, data protection (GDPR), and

confidentiality requirements.

•  Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of

service delivery.

•  Awareness of health and safety principles in community and

outreach settings.

Experience

•  Proven experience in community engagement, outreach, or

•  Experience of delivering culturally competent health education or

health promotion within health, voluntary, or social care sectors.

awareness programmes.

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Cancer Early Diagnosis Coordinator Job Description

•  Experience of building trust and rapport with underserved or

marginalised communities.

•  Experience of delivering training
•  Previously delivered service(s) in partnership between NHS and

•  Experience of supporting individuals to overcome practical,
cultural, or emotional barriers to accessing health services.

•  Ability to manage sensitive and emotionally complex
conversations with empathy and professionalism.

•  Experience of working collaboratively across organisations,

including GP practices, Primary Care Networks, and voluntary
sector partners.

voluntary sector

•

Familiarity with clinical systems such as EMIS or SystemOne is
desirable but not essential as training will be given.

Skills

•  Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the

ability to adapt messages for diverse audiences.

•  Ability to plan and deliver community-based sessions and

events.

•  Good organisational and time management skills, with the ability

to meet deadlines.

•  Competence in IT systems (Microsoft Office, Outlook) and

record-keeping.

•  Emotional resilience and ability to manage competing priorities

in challenging situations.

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Cancer Early Diagnosis Coordinator Job Description

•  Accredited qualification in Health and Social Care or related field

(NVQ, QCF diploma, BTEC, degree) desirable.

Qualifications

•  Ongoing commitment to Continuing Professional Development.
•  This post will be allied to Macmillan Cancer Support Professional
Development opportunities and participation in training and
inductions will be mandatory.

ATTRIBUTES

•  Commitment to Self Help UK’s values and principles of peer-led,

community-based support.

•  Willingness to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and

weekends.

•  Full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.

*Self Help Nottingham has a responsibility under the Asylum, Immigration and Nationality Act 2006 to ensure that all employees are
eligible to work in the UK. Prior to commencing employment, the successful candidate will be asked to provide documentary
evidence to this effect, for example a UK/EEA passport or identity card; a full UK birth certificate; a Home Office document or visa
evidencing the right to take this employment. Please note that the University will not be able to issue a Tier 2 Certificate of
Sponsorship for this post.

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