Breast Cancer Support Worker

NHS; Taunton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Somerset is seeking a compassionate individual to support cancer patients through personalized care and planning. The role involves direct communication with patients and their families, helping them navigate the health and social care system. You will coordinate access to resources and advocate for patients, ensuring they receive the best support during their treatment journey. Join a diverse and inclusive team committed to making a difference in patients' lives.

Benefits

Flexible working options

NHS pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Career development opportunities

Blue Light Card for discounts

Qualifications

• Experience of Multiprofessional working.
• Relevant health or social care experience at AFC level 3 or 4.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to cancer patients and assess their holistic needs.
• Communicate effectively with individuals, families, and health practitioners.

Skills

Communication

Literacy

Education

English Language and Mathematics Grades A B C or equivalent

Job description

Job summary

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.

To deliver Personalised care and support planning via a Holistic Needs Assessment after a cancer diagnosis has been given, and at other points in their pathway, as appropriate. This is undertaken through a series of facilitated conversations using the assessment tool to identify patients and carers needs and ensure that people get the right support to meet their needs.

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

Main duties of the job

Communicate effectively with individuals, their families, carers and health and social care practitioners using a range of styles and ensuring information remains confidential at all times.

The role requires use of judgement in responding to the needs of the person and relates to identifying the complexity of the situation, providing appropriate advice and escalating to the clinical nurse specialist where appropriate.

Provide support to cancer patients, assessing their holistic needs, and supporting them to self-manage by providing the relevant information and advice and signposting them to other resources and services available to meet their identified needs.

Support those being treated for or living with cancer, to navigate the complex health and social care system, by building relationships with professionals and facilitating access to these services, including generating referrals on the person's behalf where necessary.

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

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details Date posted

16 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-OR-2423

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA

Job description Job responsibilities

For more details and further information about the role, please see the attached job description and person specification.

Job description Job responsibilities

For more details and further information about the role, please see the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• English Language and Mathematics Grades A B C or equivalent
• Evidence of continued role development
• Willingness to undertake Macmillan learning and development courses

Desirable

• Coaching and teaching qualification
• Level 2 psychological skills training

Experience Essential

• Relevant health or social care experience at AFC level 3 or 4
• Experience of Multiprofessional working
• Experience in the use of data management

Desirable

• Experience of coordinating a patient workload

Additional Criteria Essential

• Evidence of a good standard of Literacy English language skills
• Evidence of good communication skills
• Experience of Multi professional working
• Experience in the use of data management

Desirable

• Understanding of personalised care and support planning as set out in the NHS Long Term Plan
• Evidence of ability to present to group of patients and relatives in formal
• Knowledge of relevant cancer treatments interventions and terminology

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• English Language and Mathematics Grades A B C or equivalent
• Evidence of continued role development
• Willingness to undertake Macmillan learning and development courses

Desirable

• Coaching and teaching qualification
• Level 2 psychological skills training

Experience Essential

• Relevant health or social care experience at AFC level 3 or 4
• Experience of Multiprofessional working
• Experience in the use of data management

Desirable

• Experience of coordinating a patient workload

Additional Criteria Essential

• Evidence of a good standard of Literacy English language skills
• Evidence of good communication skills
• Experience of Multi professional working
• Experience in the use of data management

Desirable

• Understanding of personalised care and support planning as set out in the NHS Long Term Plan
• Evidence of ability to present to group of patients and relatives in formal
• Knowledge of relevant cancer treatments interventions and terminology

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 details Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA

Employer's website

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

Employer details Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA

Employer's website

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