Cancer Support Worker

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

The closing date is 22 September 2024

Job summary

We are looking for two highly motivated health care assistants to become Cancer Care Support Workers offering care and support to cancer patients attending Buckinghamshire NHS Trust. Both posts are fixed term for 12 months and will be based at Stoke Mandeville Hospital requiring some cross site working to both Wycombe and Amersham hospital on occasions.

The roles will directly contribute to the delivery of holistic needs assessments (HNA) which our specialist nursing teams are required to provide around diagnosis and again on the completion of treatment.

One post will be based within the gynaecological clinical nurse specialist team. The other in the skin clinical nurse specialist (CNS) team. Both posts will be expected to support the clinical nurse specialists in delivering high quality care to cancer patients. Excellent communication skills are therefore vital as are strong IT skills and an ability to work under pressure. The role will be patient facing but also require efficient clinical administration skills and an ability to talk clearly and confidently over the telephone. A key focus will be increasing HNA activity within the CNS team in which each post is based and offering a triage approach to patient care that enables the CNS team to maximise their clinical activity.

This post would best suit an experienced HCA or someone who is an assistant practitioner and/or someone who can work independently as well as part of a busy clinical team.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide support to a specific clinical nurse specialist service offering care and support to a specific cancer patient group. Support across other tumour sites may be needed on occasions but the bulk of time will be spent within one CNS service.

The role will ensure the smooth, safe, and efficient running of the CNS service offering patient facing support as required.

As part of the multi -disciplinary team (MDT) the post holder will contribute to the efficient provision of a high standard of care to cancer patients who are undergoing diagnosis, those on treatment and those on regular follow up. They will provide elements of direct and indirect patient care and offer efficient clerical administrative work in support of the wider CNS service.

About us

Why colleagues think we are "a great place to work!"

What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.

Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes.

We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

What do we stand for?

Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.

Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.

We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.

We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.

We are proud to achieve the Gold award for the Armed Forces Covenant and support applications from the Armed Forces Community. Please contact Pam.Daley@nhs.net (our Armed Forces Covenant Lead) if you would like guidance or assistance with your application.

We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

Date posted

06 September 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

434-SCS6519914

Job locations

Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

HP21 8AL

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

It could also be a secondment opportunity for someone interested in gaining skills in the cancer setting. Management support to enable a secondment would be required and secured prior to application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

It could also be a secondment opportunity for someone interested in gaining skills in the cancer setting. Management support to enable a secondment would be required and secured prior to application.

Person Specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

GCSE English Language and Mathematics or equivalent
Undertaken HCA courses relating to cancer (e.g. The Cancer Journey Caring for the Cancer Patient and their Family) or willingness to undertake
Willingness to undertake Macmillan learning and development including courses/competencies
Proficient keyboard and computer literacy skills/ courses

Desirable

Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care or NVQ 4 equivalent

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 management, producing reports, meeting notes and electronic diaries
Evidence of good communications skills and use of empathic communication and verbal assessment skills
Good observation and basic assessment skills
Understanding of the health and social care environment and needs of complex patients
Awareness of the NHS long term cancer plan and personalised care, and electronic Holistic Needs Assessment (eHNA

Desirable

Experience of coaching/teaching patients and carers on health issues
Understanding of the role of Thames Valley Cancer Alliance and Macmillan Cancer Support
Experience in coordinating a patient caseload
Awareness of cancer policies
Knowledge of cancer care, including diagnosis treatments, and terminology

SKILLS, ABILITIES & KNOWLEDGE

Essential

Proficient in IT skills, especially Microsoft word, Excel, PowerPoint & MS Teams
Able to use own initiative and work independently and as part of a team
Effective organisation skills to manage own workload and in support of others
Ability to communicate using a range of approaches, both written and verbal
Practical problem-solving skills
Ability to motivate self and others
Flexible attitude to working
Ability to show empathy and understand the difficulties faced by people affected by cancer
Ability to work to tight deadlines and under pressure

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Essential

Cross site & cross service working when required
Car driver and full licence holder

Person Specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

GCSE English Language and Mathematics or equivalent
Undertaken HCA courses relating to cancer (e.g. The Cancer Journey Caring for the Cancer Patient and their Family) or willingness to undertake
Willingness to undertake Macmillan learning and development including courses/competencies
Proficient keyboard and computer literacy skills/ courses

Desirable

Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care or NVQ 4 equivalent

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 management, producing reports, meeting notes and electronic diaries
Evidence of good communications skills and use of empathic communication and verbal assessment skills
Good observation and basic assessment skills
Understanding of the health and social care environment and needs of complex patients
Awareness of the NHS long term cancer plan and personalised care, and electronic Holistic Needs Assessment (eHNA

Desirable

Experience of coaching/teaching patients and carers on health issues
Understanding of the role of Thames Valley Cancer Alliance and Macmillan Cancer Support
Experience in coordinating a patient caseload
Awareness of cancer policies
Knowledge of cancer care, including diagnosis treatments, and terminology

SKILLS, ABILITIES & KNOWLEDGE

Essential

Proficient in IT skills, especially Microsoft word, Excel, PowerPoint & MS Teams
Able to use own initiative and work independently and as part of a team
Effective organisation skills to manage own workload and in support of others
Ability to communicate using a range of approaches, both written and verbal
Practical problem-solving skills
Ability to motivate self and others
Flexible attitude to working
Ability to show empathy and understand the difficulties faced by people affected by cancer
Ability to work to tight deadlines and under pressure

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Essential

Cross site & cross service working when required
Car driver and full licence holder

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.