Cancer Support Worker

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 Poole Hospital but working with the cancer support worker teams across all UHD sites.

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 3 days per week/18.75 hours

Days to be agreed and to meet the needs of the service.

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.