Job summary
The Cancer Support Worker will form an integral part of themulti disciplinary team approach in caring for the physical, social andpsychological needs of patients diagnosed with cancer and their carersthroughout the care treatment pathway and after care support.
The Support Worker will work in close unison with the Clinical Nurse Specialists to ensure the coordination and management of patients at all points of their treatment. The Cancer Support Worker will also act as a point of contact for patients who will have been prepared by their clinical team for Patient triggered Follow Up (PTFU) - and will be able to signpostpatients to assist and support them with their self-management.
We have an exciting opportunity to appoint to our team of cancer care support workers at University Hospitals Dorset. The role will be based at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital but working with the cancer support worker teams across UHD.
Recent experience in a clinical experience in a healthcare or social care setting, demonstrating a high level of knowledge and experience caring for adults with acute or chronic illness. Ideally the post holder will have experience working with cancer although this is not essential.
The post is working Monday - Friday 37.5hours per week.
Base Location: Poole Hospital
Interview Date: TBC
Main duties of the job
The support worker will work closely with the cancer nurse specialists and other members of the multi-disciplinary team to support patients affected by cancer. The post will include direct communication with patients, their families and other healthcare professionals involved in their care. A fundamental part of the role will be to help deliver core elements of the Personalised Care Programme including undertaking holistic needs assessments, personalised care and support plans and facilitating health and wellbeing events. Assessing the needs of people and signposting to other appropriate services will be a key part of the role, enabling people to live well, with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. The role will also involve working on the risk stratification project which underpins the safe care of patients who are deemed to be at low risk of cancer recurrence.
The role requires a knowledge or willingness to work with hospital systems, cancer care and a multidisciplinary team. Excellent communication skills are essential in providing support to individuals affected by cancer and their families including the ability to manage level 1 psychological distress and recognise and escalate level 2 psychological distress. Ability to demonstrate a compassionate approach and to provide empathy with patients who may be experiencing a difficult time in their life is essential. A commitment to further improving services for cancer patients and their families is essential.
About us
Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued team mates and colleagues.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Cancer Support worker will:
- Work with the clinical nurse specialists to support patients on a cancer diagnostic pathway, patients with a cancer diagnosis or patients living with and beyond cancer.
- Work closely with clinicians, specialist nurses, admin staff and all members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team to ensure that patients are actively managed through the cancer pathway.
- Support the delivery of personalised care following a cancer diagnosis
- Support and escalate recurrence of cancer to the nursing team.
- Support ongoing wellbeing programmes
- Support risk stratification and delivery of open access patient follow-up for cancer patients
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Cancer Support worker will:
- Work with the clinical nurse specialists to support patients on a cancer diagnostic pathway, patients with a cancer diagnosis or patients living with and beyond cancer.
- Work closely with clinicians, specialist nurses, admin staff and all members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team to ensure that patients are actively managed through the cancer pathway.
- Support the delivery of personalised care following a cancer diagnosis
- Support and escalate recurrence of cancer to the nursing team.
- Support ongoing wellbeing programmes
- Support risk stratification and delivery of open access patient follow-up for cancer patients
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualification in specific field of practise or NVQ 3 and associated units in Health
- Care certificate or equivalent
- Healthcare Assistant , Social Care Worker
Desirable
- Awareness of Macmillan and Cancer Agenda and willingness to undertake training days and educational programmes.
Technical skills
Essential
- IT Skills, experience of data management/ spread sheets.
- Competent in the preparation of PowerPoint presentations.
Desirable
- Customer service /dignity based training
- Evidence of ability to deliver training/support sessions.
Other
Essential
- Able to communicate accurately and effectively with patients and colleagues, verbally and in writing including excellent documentation and recording skills
- Ability to communicate complex, challenging and sensitive information with inter-professionals, patients, carers and the general public
Desirable
- Psychological Skills training
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working with the public within a healthcare/social care setting
- Experience of multi professional working
- Experience of working with patients with cancer.
- Relevant Health or Social Care experience at AFC Band 3 or equivalent
Desirable
- Experience of discussing patient concerns and needs.
- Experience working within a cancer setting
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualification in specific field of practise or NVQ 3 and associated units in Health
- Care certificate or equivalent
- Healthcare Assistant , Social Care Worker
Desirable
- Awareness of Macmillan and Cancer Agenda and willingness to undertake training days and educational programmes.
Technical skills
Essential
- IT Skills, experience of data management/ spread sheets.
- Competent in the preparation of PowerPoint presentations.
Desirable
- Customer service /dignity based training
- Evidence of ability to deliver training/support sessions.
Other
Essential
- Able to communicate accurately and effectively with patients and colleagues, verbally and in writing including excellent documentation and recording skills
- Ability to communicate complex, challenging and sensitive information with inter-professionals, patients, carers and the general public
Desirable
- Psychological Skills training
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working with the public within a healthcare/social care setting
- Experience of multi professional working
- Experience of working with patients with cancer.
- Relevant Health or Social Care experience at AFC Band 3 or equivalent
Desirable
- Experience of discussing patient concerns and needs.
- Experience working within a cancer setting
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
