Lung cancer is the biggest cause of cancer-related deaths in the UK, largely because it often doesn’t cause obvious symptoms until it’s at an advanced stage. When it's found, treatment options may be limited and less effective. Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) aims to change that.
LCS will soon be a national NHS Screening programme designed to find lung cancer early, when it’s small, hasn’t spread, and is much more treatable. Catching it early can save lives.
The programme is currently offered to people aged 55 to 74 who have ever smoked and are registered with a GP practice in participating areas. These individuals are invited to take part in a two-step process.
- Interviews are due to take place on 20th August 2025.
Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.
How Does the Screening Pathway Work?
1. Initial Invitation
Eligible patients are contacted by letter or phone and invited to take part in a Lung Health Check. This is a free, optional check-up focused on their lungs and overall health.
2. Telephone Assessment
A Patient Contact Assessor calls the patient to ask a series of health and lifestyle questions. Using a special NHS-approved risk score, they determine if the person is at higher risk of developing lung cancer.
3. Low-dose CT scan (if high-risk)
If the person’s score shows a higher-than-average risk, they are invited for a Low Dose CT (LDCT) scan, which takes a detailed image of the lungs. The scan is painless, quick, and uses much less radiation than a normal CT scan.
4. Next Steps Based on Scan Results
If the scan is normal, the person is usually invited again in 2 years (if they’re still eligible).
If something unusual is found, even if it's not cancer, the patient is referred to a specialist team for further checks or scans.
If lung cancer is suspected, the patient is fast-tracked into care, giving them the best chance of successful treatment.
Throughout the process, patients are supported by a dedicated screening team, including nurses, administrators, and contact assessors.
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.
We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.
Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.
We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence® designated organisation – please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence ® - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)
By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.
The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.
What Do We Do at Coventry and Warwickshire Lung Cancer Screening Programme?
We are part of this national life-saving programme, helping to deliver it to local communities. Our team reaches out to eligible patients, explains how the process works, and helps them book appointments at our mobile CT scanner, often located conveniently in supermarket car parks or local community sites.
We also offer support to those still smoking, giving them Very Brief Advice (VBA) about quitting and connecting them with stop-smoking services if they’re interested.
What is the Role of the Lung Cancer Screening Apprentice?
As a Lung Cancer Screening Apprentice, you play an important role in supporting both patients and the wider screening team.
Your responsibilities will include:
Making and receiving friendly, informative calls to help patients understand the screening process.
Booking appointments for telephone assessments and low-dose CT scans.
Directing patient queries to the right team members, such as nurses or admin support.
Following up with patients who didn’t attend appointments and helping them rebook.
Keeping accurate records of all interactions using our secure NHS systems.
Helping identify ways to improve how the service runs.
You will work closely with the bookings team, specialist nurses, and the wider Lung Health Check team to make sure every patient receives the right care at the right time.
This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys speaking to people, is well-organised, wants to learn about healthcare, and is passionate about making a difference. You’ll receive full support and training, with opportunities to build your knowledge and skills throughout your time with the team
All applicants must be:
Aged 16+
Resident in the UK/ EEA for the last three years
Must NOT be in any form of formal government-funded education
Apprenticeship funding criteria applies.
For further details please see the attached job description.