Lung Cancer Support Worker

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 06 April 2025

Job summary

Band 4 Lung Cancer Support Worker

We are looking to recruit a Cancer Support Worker to join our lung cancer specialist nursing team at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

We strive to provide excellent quality cancer and holistic care to all of our patients, and our friendly team of Cancer Support Workers play a key part in this.

You will work under the supervision of registered nurses, providing patients and carers with general information and support about cancer related issues and cancer services.

You will also assist the team with administrative duties helping to ensure the safe and timely follow up of patients who are undergoing surveillance after cancer treatment.

Training will be provided by the Royal Berkshire Hospital and the working environment is friendly and supportive.

An informal visit and/or phone call is strongly recommended in order to research the post and the team.

Main duties of the job

This post provides administrative duties and support to the Clinical Nurse Specialists.

A key aspect of the role involves daily and direct (e.g. face-to-face and telephone) communication with patients, relatives, carers, and other health and social care professionals.

You will work closely with the Clinical Nurse Specialists to prepare clinics and may track patients on surveillance using a variety of electronic systems. You will assist in the administration of nurse led clinics and holistic needs assessments and in the preparation of written and electronic patient information. You may also be required to carry out 'buddy calls' to vulnerable, isolated patients escalating any concerns to the registered nursing team.

You will have excellent communication and organisational skills, and work well within a small team.

Although each of our support worker posts supports a specific cancer team you may be asked to support other teams at times and the Cancer Support Workers also act as department fire wardens on a rota basis.

About us

Reading sits on the river Thames and is served by great road and rail links to London, Oxford and Southampton. With excellent leisure and shopping facilities, and a thriving cultural scene, Reading is a wonderful place to live, work and play and provides excellent facilities for families, including some of the best state and private schools in the UK.

The CQC recently rated the care provided by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as Good.

Our CARE values:Compassionate, Aspirational, Resourceful, Excellent, reflect the type of Trust we aspire to be and you can join our dedicated and talented team to make this happen.

Date posted

10 March 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

193-7016494PCG

Job locations

Royal Berkshire Hospital

London Road

Reading

RG1 5AN

Job description

Job responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of a registered practitioner, the support worker helps co-ordinate care by providing a single point of access, including: Rapid re-entry into the system for those people identified as having urgent or specialist needs, providing general information and support about cancer and cancer services.

By supporting independence and self management the role enables people to navigate the health and social care system and make choices that are best for their cancer and their lifestyle.

The information you will provide and communication required is sensitive due to the nature of cancer.

Communication in this context requires a high degree of empathy, understanding, diplomacy, honesty and integrity.

Please refer to the attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

By supporting independence and self management the role enables people to navigate the health and social care system and make choices that are best for their cancer and their lifestyle.

The information you will provide and communication required is sensitive due to the nature of cancer.

Communication in this context requires a high degree of empathy, understanding, diplomacy, honesty and integrity.

Please refer to the attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

GCSE English Language and Mathematics (Grades A-C) or equivalent

Desirable

NVQ4 or NVQ3 plus additional training to diploma level equivalent, or equivalent through short courses

Experience

Essential

Relevant administrative and organisational skills

Desirable

Relevant health or social care experience at AfC Band 3 or equivalent
Experience of multiprofessional working
Experience of working with people diagnosed with cancer

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

GCSE English Language and Mathematics (Grades A-C) or equivalent

Desirable

NVQ4 or NVQ3 plus additional training to diploma level equivalent, or equivalent through short courses

Experience

Essential

Relevant administrative and organisational skills

Desirable

Relevant health or social care experience at AfC Band 3 or equivalent
Experience of multiprofessional working
Experience of working with people diagnosed with cancer

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.