Cancer Support Worker

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Exeter; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension scheme

Flexible working schemes

27 days annual leave

Job summary

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 4 Cancer Support Worker to join the Living With and Beyond Cancer team within Urology. You will coordinate personalised care for patients with suspected or diagnosed urological cancer, supporting them to navigate complex health and social care systems and regain normal life after treatment.

Working with the Urology CNS team, you will conduct holistic needs assessments, run pre-surgery clinics, and provide ongoing follow-up

Responsibilities

• Coordinate personalised cancer care for patients with suspected/diagnosed urological cancer.
• Assist patients to complete holistic needs assessments and link to appropriate services.
• Run pre-surgery health and well-being clinics and follow-up assessments to identify ongoing needs.
• Provide emotional support, information, and signposting to navigate health and social care systems.

Job description

An exciting opportunity for an individual to join the Living With and Beyond Cancer team in Urology as a band 4 Cancer Support Worker providing personalised care and support to patients with a suspected or diagnosed Urological cancer. This role is a care co-ordination role, working alongside the Urology Cancer Nurse specialist (CNS) team, providing excellent care and support for people to navigate the complex health and social care system during and following completion of cancer treatment. The Cancer Support Worker will be responsible and accountable for their practice and behaviour under the management of a registered practitioner. The Cancer Support Worker will provide support and advice to individuals to regain as normal a life as possible. They will provide advice about how to minimise their risk of developing further Cancer related problems and how to identify possible signs of recurrence, progression of disease or side effects of treatment. The Cancer support worker will enable individuals to re-access specialist services without delay and will act as a point of contact for patients and will signpost to appropriate services as part of the Living With and Beyond Cancer agenda. Although working hours are generally office hours and based at Ottery St Mary hospital, flexibility and willingness to travel to other trust hospital sites (RDE Wonford in particular) is required. About the Role For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities. More detail about the role The Cancer Support Worker will be responsible and accountable for their practice and behaviour under the guidance and supervision of a registered practitioner within the Urology cancer service. The post holder will support patients from point of diagnosis and throughout their cancer pathway whilst working alongside the registered practitioner The cancer support worker will assist patients to complete an individual holistic needs assessment (HNA) using approved tools and procedures. This will aid in the development and co-ordination of personalised care and support for cancer patients and their families. They will run pre surgery health and well being clinics as well as follow up patients at the end of cancer treatments to assess ongoing support needs and aid delivery of excellent care. The cancer support worker will help the team to navigate complex health and social care systems and will provide information and support about cancer and cancer services, to enable people to navigate the health and social care system and make informed choices that effect their physical and mental wellbeing. The service provided will tailor care to best suit the individual patient this includes: personalised information and advice; support to help identify things that could help them improve how they feel; help to access local services; help in identifying early changes in their condition that require intervention or attention, to prevent things from getting worse; motivation for the patient to work towards and achieve any goals. The role requires the use of excellent judgment in responding to the needs of individuals. The post holder will be expected to provide emotional support and advice and to signpost patients to the appropriate services to best meet their needs. The team -You will work alongside the Urology cancer CNS team and within the living with and beyond cancer team. Working Pattern: Monday - Friday between 08.00 and 18.00. Interview Date: To Be Confirmed Please note, This is an internal vacancy for Royal Devon employees. This is a fixed term contract until 18/12/27. For current NHS employees this post could be a secondment opportunity.

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Preference will be given to staff with 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon. The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received. The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust., Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people's own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC). Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Looking after you is important to us. We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies. If you are starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays. You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups. We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team. This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there. Salary is not the only financial benefit You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
• Car lease schemes.
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
• Cycle to work scheme