Job summary
As a Band 4 Support Worker at Macmillan, you will play a crucial role in providing practical and emotional support to individuals affected by cancer. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will assist in delivering high-quality care and support services tailored to the unique needs of patients and their families. Your role will encompass a wide range of responsibilities aimed at improving the overall well-being and quality of life of those facing cancer diagnoses.
Main duties of the job
Provide compassionate and empathetic support to individuals affected by cancer, addressing their emotional, practical, and informational needs throughout their cancer journey.
liaising with healthcare professionals and community organisations to ensure comprehensive and timely support.
Active listening, and emotional support to patients and their families, helping them cope with the emotional challenges associated with cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
Advocate for patients' rights and needs within the healthcare system, ensuring they receive appropriate care, support, and resources tailored to their individual circumstances.
Provide patients and their families with accurate and accessible information about cancer, treatment options, symptom management, and available support services to empower them to make informed decisions.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of patient interactions, assessments, interventions, and outcomes in compliance with organisational policies and regulatory requirements.
Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including healthcare professionals, social workers, counsellors, and volunteers, to ensure holistic and coordinated care for patients.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives, evaluating service delivery processes, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing strategies to enhance patient care and support outcomes.
About us
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is a large acute hospital Trust in the county of Kent.
The Trust provides a full range of general hospital services and some areas of specialist complex care to around 760,000 people living in the south part of West Kent and the north part of East Sussex.
The Trust's core catchment areas are Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells and their surrounding boroughs. We work from two main clinical sites: Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury. Tunbridge Wells Hospital opened in 2011 and provides single rooms with en-suites for all in-patients - the first of its kind in the country.
We employ more than 7,000 full and part-time staff in a huge range of clinical and non-clinical roles across both of our hospital sites.
Would you like to work flexibly?In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.
Following your Corporate Induction you will be expected to attend the Trusts Clinical Induction Programme for Clinical Support Workers (which starts on the first day of employment). The programme is full-time (please contact the CSW Induction Programme Lead ifthis is going to be problematic: rallen@nhs.net), lasts for two weeks and will involve travelling to both Trust sites. The programme includes 2 supernumerary shifts in the clinical area (an early and a late shift), all of the other days are classroom-based and run from 9am to 5pm.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)
At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.
Interview Date: To be confirmed,
Job description
Job responsibilities
Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.
Following your Corporate Induction you will be expected to attend the Trusts Clinical Induction Programme for Clinical Support Workers (which starts on the first day of employment). The programme is full-time (please contact the CSW Induction Programme Lead ifthis is going to be problematic: rallen@nhs.net), lasts for two weeks and will involve travelling to both Trust sites. The programme includes 2 supernumerary shifts in the clinical area (an early and a late shift), all of the other days are classroom-based and run from 9am to 5pm.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)
At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.
Interview Date: To be confirmed,
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE English Language and Mathematics (Grade A-C) or equivalent
- NVQ4 or NVQ3 plus additional training to diploma level equivalent, or equivalent through short courses
Desirable
- Evidence of continued role development
- Willingness to undertake Macmillan learning and development courses
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Relevant health or social care experience at Agenda for change Band 3 or equivalent
- Experience of multi-professional working
- Experience in the use of data entry and management
- Evidence of good communication skills both face to face and on the telephone
- Understanding of person centred care
- Previous experience with adapting radiology system workflows to support clinical requirements
- Experience of coach / teaching patients and carers
Desirable
- Understanding of Macmillan Cancer Support and its role across the UK
- Experience in coordinating a designated workload
- Awareness of Improving Outcomes : A Strategy for Cancer and other national cancer policies
- Knowledge of relevant cancer treatment, interventions and terminology
Skills
Essential
- Ability to show empathy and understand the difficulties faced by people with cancer Ability to prioritise own workload Ability to ask sensitively about information needs Ability to retrieve information from a wide range of sources and in different formats
- Able to use own initiative
- Effective organisation skills
- Ability to communicate both verbally and non-verbally on a daily basis with people at all levels
- Good observation skills
- Practical problem solving
- Ability to work within a team
- Ability to motivate others and self
- Flexible attitude to working
- Accurate written communication of information
Desirable
- Ability to write reports and IT skills
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE English Language and Mathematics (Grade A-C) or equivalent
- NVQ4 or NVQ3 plus additional training to diploma level equivalent, or equivalent through short courses
Desirable
- Evidence of continued role development
- Willingness to undertake Macmillan learning and development courses
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Relevant health or social care experience at Agenda for change Band 3 or equivalent
- Experience of multi-professional working
- Experience in the use of data entry and management
- Evidence of good communication skills both face to face and on the telephone
- Understanding of person centred care
- Previous experience with adapting radiology system workflows to support clinical requirements
- Experience of coach / teaching patients and carers
Desirable
- Understanding of Macmillan Cancer Support and its role across the UK
- Experience in coordinating a designated workload
- Awareness of Improving Outcomes : A Strategy for Cancer and other national cancer policies
- Knowledge of relevant cancer treatment, interventions and terminology
Skills
Essential
- Ability to show empathy and understand the difficulties faced by people with cancer Ability to prioritise own workload Ability to ask sensitively about information needs Ability to retrieve information from a wide range of sources and in different formats
- Able to use own initiative
- Effective organisation skills
- Ability to communicate both verbally and non-verbally on a daily basis with people at all levels
- Good observation skills
- Practical problem solving
- Ability to work within a team
- Ability to motivate others and self
- Flexible attitude to working
- Accurate written communication of information
Desirable
- Ability to write reports and IT skills
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.
