University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
We have an exciting opportunity to appoint to our team of cancer care support workers at University Hospitals Dorset. The Cancer Support Worker will form an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team approach, in caring for the physical, social and psychological needs of patients diagnosed with cancer, and their carers, throughout the care treatment pathway and after care support. The Cancer Support Worker will work closely 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 Stratified Follow Up (PSFU) - and will be able to signpost patients to assist and support them with their self-management. Recent clinical experience in a healthcare or social care setting is important. Candidates should be able to demonstrate a high level of knowledge about, and have experience of, caring for adults with acute or chronic illness. Ideally the post holder will have experience working with cancer, although this is not essential. Base Location: Poole Hospital but working with the cancer support worker teams across UHD will be required.
Interview Date: 14th Feb 2025
Main duties of the job
The support worker will work closely with Clinical Nurse Specialists and the multi-disciplinary team to support cancer patients, involving direct communication with patients, families, and healthcare professionals. Key responsibilities include delivering the Personalised Care Programme by conducting holistic needs assessments, creating personalized care plans, and organizing health and wellbeing events. Assessing patient needs and signposting to appropriate services will help individuals live well with and beyond a cancer diagnosis.
The role includes administrative tasks and practical support, such as booking transfusions or clinic appointments, ensuring a smooth cancer pathway. It also involves contributing to the risk stratification project, supporting the safe care of low-risk patients. Candidates must be organized, able to manage their workload, and proficient in IT systems, with training provided as needed.
Strong communication skills are essential for managing level 1 psychological distress and escalating level 2 distress when necessary. Compassion, empathy, and a commitment to improving services for cancer patients and their families are vital, along with knowledge or a willingness to work within hospital systems and cancer care.
Job responsibilities
The Cancer Support worker will:
* Work with the clinical nurse specialists to support patients on a cancer diagnostic pathway, patients with a cancer diagnosis or patients living with and beyond cancer.
* Work closely with clinicians, specialist nurses, admin staff and all members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team to ensure that patients are actively managed through the cancer pathway.
* Support the delivery of personalised care following a cancer diagnosis.
* Support and escalate recurrence of cancer to the nursing team.
* Support risk stratification and delivery of open access patient follow-up for cancer patients.
Person Specification
Experience
* Relevant Health or Social Care experience.
* Significant experience working with the public within a healthcare/social care setting.
* Experience of multi professional working.
* Experience of working with patients with cancer.
Qualifications
* Qualification in specific field of practise or NVQ 3 and associated units in Health.
* Care certificate or equivalent.
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.
Employer name
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
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