Cancer Support Worker/Cancer Navigator

Job description

Job responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of the Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists and Haematology Support/Specialty Managers, assist in the coordination of patient care throughout the pathway:

To provide general information and support about cancer and cancer services, to enable people to navigate the health and social care system and make choices that are best for their cancer and their life. 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. The information and nature of the 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.

Triage patients, using a risk assessment framework and initiate appropriate response according to protocols and individual pathways, using good communication skills, basic clinical awareness and appropriate tools and procedures, liaising as appropriate when non routine and refer complex decisions to the team for assessment and review

Provide basic telephone and face to face advice and refer on or sign-post to other sources of support

Provide support to patients in the clinic setting when required

Coordinate the necessary assessments, appointments or investigations to fast track people back into the system if required

Demonstrate the ability to recognise and respond appropriately when faced with a sudden deterioration or an emergency situation, alerting the team or enabling rapid response as appropriate

Support information provision and signpost as appropriate

Guide people through the use of self-assessment resources

Document and monitor all aspects of care coordination and service delivery, supporting data collection for audit

To proactively identify patient and carer needs using approved tools and procedures to ensure that people get the right support to meet their needs. The role requires use of good judgment in responding to the needs of individuals. The level of judgment required relates to identifying the complexity of the situation, providing appropriate advice and escalating to the registered practitioner where appropriate

Coordinate the care for a defined group of patients assessed by the clinical nurse specialist regarded as having needs best met by supported self-management

Organise and prioritise the designated workload in relation to identified needs

Contribute to and undertake where appropriate holistic needs assessments and the development of an individual care plans

Implement, monitor and review the care plan with the patient and carer, in line with standard operating procedures and protocols and modify as appropriate

Coordinate and organise appointments and assessments as required

Identify indicators of need or changes in need through telephone contact and respond appropriately

Coordinate the handover with other teams to facilitate safe and effective transition of care between services in order to provide seamless support for people

Act as advocate and facilitator to resolve issues that may be perceived as barriers to care

To coordinate access to the right information and education resources to support people in making decisions about aspects of their own care, enable independence and support self-management as appropriate. Develop a partnership approach to working in order to empower the patient and carers.

Support people to access appropriate information and support, by sign-posting to a range of support services and take an approach which helps people to self-manage where appropriate

Advise patients on individual self-care management principles and provide consistent planned aftercare to reinforce and further promote this information

Participate in the organisation, delivery and administration of the Living Well days and courses and other patient education days

Collection of data and evaluations of all Living Well events and courses to ensure accurate record of attendees and evaluation by patients of programme

Encourage and support active and healthy lifestyle choices

Help patients and carers in the understanding of signs, symptoms or situations that would cause concern

Explain to patients and carers how they can make contact when they feel that their condition or needs have changed, including what to do out of hours

To administratively coordinate patient pathways to ensure patients have timely review, and the service is compliant with national cancer targets.

• Develop an in depth knowledge and understanding of the pathway for Haematology patients; including an understanding of medical terminology relating to Haematology and Cancer.
• Where necessary to liaise with Clinicians and MDT coordinators/administrators both internally and outside of the Trust

Work closely with the clinical nurse specialists to track patients throughout their cancer pathway and flag up any delays in the cancer patients journey. Ensure all outcomes of the MDT meetings, tests, investigations, and referrals are recorded and acted upon.

To be proficient in the use of multiple hospital IT systems, including CRIS, CareFlow, ICE and Somerset Cancer Register.

• Support the Haematology administration team with typing and booking to ensure cancer patients are not delayed due to administration delays.
• Carry out some clerical duties to support the Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Person Specification

Essential and Desirable

Essential

• GCSE English Language and Mathematics (Grades A-C) or equivalent
• Experience in an administrative role and data management
• Experience of supporting/teaching patients and carers
• Evidence of good communications skills and the ability to communicate sensitively with patients
• Knowledge of NHS IT systems

Desirable

• NVQ level 4 or NVQ level 3 plus additional training to diploma level in health and social care
• Relevant health or social care experience at AFC Band 3

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 (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).

Employer details

Employer name

North Bristol NHS Trust

Address

Southmead Hospital

Southmead Road

Bristol

BS10 5NB

Employer's website

https://www.nbt.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)