Job summary
The primary role of the Health Improvement Specialist is to conduct evidence-based health promotion activities for the Bowel Cancer Screening Centre at UHL. The candidate will work to raise awareness, identify and reduce barriers to screening in order to improve the uptake of Bowel Cancer Screening across the participating Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).

Main duties of the job

• The identification of target areas / underserved groups with low uptake using data from the Bowel Cancer Screening System and other sources and through undertaking a Health Equity Audit for the service.
• With the support of the Programme Manager and Clinical Director for Bowel Cancer Screening, developing an annual action plan with quarterly aims and objectives, using evidence based interventions.
• Carrying out a co-ordinated programme with community organisations, working in conjunction with the Bowel Cancer Screening team at UHL. The overall aim is to improve uptake and coverage to at least a minimum national standard in all areas the Screening Centre serves, but ideally to the achievable standard and above. A key role is to raise awareness of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme with local GPs, community groups and the general population within the populations of UHL. Monitoring the implementation of the yearly plan, providing timely, accurate and retrievable information on the progress and effectiveness of health promotion activities.
• Working with the UHL Bowel Cancer Screening team to integrate and embed health promotion and reducing barriers to screening into the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme at UHL.
• Dissemination of successful interventions across the wider Bowel Cancer Screening community through research or other forums.

About us
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all,
• being a great place to work,
• partnerships for impact, and
• research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate,
• we are proud,
• we are inclusive, and
• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum (Band 7, Agenda for Change)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Closing date: 12 November 2026

Essential Training and Qualifications

• Degree in Health Promotion / Public Health or related field or masters level qualification or be willing to work towards this within 3 years

Essential Experience

• Experience of group facilitation and training
• Experience of development and implementation of health promotion programmes with evidence base across partnerships.
• A track record of improving health through community involvement.
• Experience of working across areas with complex demography and social and ethnic diversity.

Desirable Experience

• 2 years experience in health promotion or a related field
• Experience in research and dissemination of research findings.

Essential Communication and relationship skills

• Excellent communication skills with experience of dealing with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Skills to develop and maintain good working relationships across professions and sectors
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to make presentations to the general public using audio-visual aids.
• Able to work well within a team.
• Ability to show empathy to patients and colleagues

Essential Analytical skills

• Ability to analyse information and evidence on health issues and clear, in-depth report writing.
• Excellent data management skills, including excel.

Essential Skills

• Understanding of effective health promotion methods, approaches, principles and practices including community development.
• Ability to employ different methods of raising awareness to target vulnerable groups and varying literacy and language differences
• Ability to carry out admin, including good IT skills (word, outlook, Powerpoint, Excel).

Essential Planning and organisational skills

• Ability to prioritise work, be highly motivated and a self-starter.

Essential Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
• All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others

Essential Other requirements specific to the role

• Have an awareness of and ability to use different social media platforms.
• Knowledge of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme objectives and priorities and future demands for the service.
• Working knowledge of national and local priorities and an understanding of the statutory, voluntary and community sectors.
• Professional appearance and manner.

Desirable Other requirements

• Valid driving licence, consistent access to a car

Essential Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Contact for questions about the job
Alex Bonner, Programme Manager, Bowel Cancer Screening
alexander.bonner3@nhs.net | 07879775412

Apply through our website