Cancer Support Worker

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Worthing; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player in healthcare is seeking a dedicated Cancer Support Worker to join their dynamic team at Worthing Hospital. This part-time role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the care of cancer patients, supporting Clinical Nurse Specialists in navigating complex health and social care systems. You will play a vital role in conducting holistic needs assessments, triaging calls, and providing essential information to patients and their families. If you are passionate about patient care and eager to make a difference in the community, this position could be your next rewarding challenge.

Qualifications

• Good general education, English and Math GCSE A-C required.
• NVQ4 plus additional training to diploma level or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Support Clinical Nurse Specialists in caring for cancer patients.
• Triage incoming calls and provide information about cancer services.
• Coordinate holistic needs assessments and develop care plans.

Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Time Management

Flexibility

Written Communication

Education

Good general education (English and Math GCSE A-C)

NVQ4 or equivalent

Coaching or teaching qualification

Job description

View all our vacancies across our hospitals in Sussex. Search, find and apply for a job with us today.

Main area: Cancer Services
Grade: Band 4
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Part time, Flexible working
30 hours per week (Monday - Friday, days and hours negotiable)
Job ref: 279-6867948-DEC24

Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Worthing Hospital
Town: Worthing
Salary: £26,530 - £29,114 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 29/12/2024 23:59
Interview date: 23/01/2025

About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, ambition, and values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented, and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First. In fact, our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching, and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career, we will help you to grow and develop.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

The Cancer Support Worker (CSW) will support the Colorectal & Lower GI Clinical Nurse Specialist in filling their complex role under the line management of the Macmillan Information and Support Service Manager. A large part of the role involves assisting the Clinical Nurse Specialist and Information and Support manager in key elements of the Personalised Care programme.

• Holistic Needs Assessment
• End of treatment Summaries
• Health and Well-being events and resources.

They will develop a network of contacts across all care settings within Health and Social Care to enable them to help patients resolve any non-clinical issues they may be facing.

This may often require onward referral to other professionals and discussion with the clinical team in relation to clinical issues.

The other many duty of this role is to support the Clinical Nurse Specialists by triaging incoming calls to the CNS Helpline. This will involve advice and guidance, referral onwards, and supporting patients' needs where appropriate to do so and within clearly set boundaries.

Main duties of the job

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Cancer Support Worker position based at Worthing Hospital, with occasional travel to other UHSussex sites.

This role supports our clinical nurse specialist team to care for patients diagnosed with cancer. They will join an existing team of Band 4 support workers within cancer services.

It will be important that the individual is motivated and enthusiastic about providing outstanding care to patients across their whole pathway. Is able to work autonomously and as part of the multi-disciplinary team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Co-ordinate care by providing a single point of access, including rapid re-entry into the system for those people identified as having urgent or specialist needs.
• 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.
• Triage telephone calls for CNS – when CNS unavailable.
• Provide basic telephone advice and refer on or sign-post to other sources of support.
• Guide people through the use of self-assessment resources.
• Pro-actively identify patient and carer needs using approved tools, protocols, and procedures to ensure that people get the right support to meet their needs.
• Working with the CNS, coordinate holistic needs assessment and the development of an individual care plan including attending and holding face-to-face clinics.
• Make visits to ward and MDCU/Fernhurst patients as required.
• Attend outpatient clinics to support patient information needs as directed.
• Act as advocate and facilitator to resolve issues that may be perceived as barriers to care.
• Support people to access appropriate information and support, by sign-posting to a range of support services and take an approach which helps people to self-manage where appropriate.
• Encourage and support active and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Coach patients and carers to understand what signs, symptoms or situations to be aware of that would indicate concern, using agreed protocols.
• Coach patients and carers on how to make contact when they feel that their condition or needs have changed, including what to do out of hours.
• Make sure that people affected by cancer are aware that they are interacting with a Macmillan professional and know about the full range of resources and services available through Macmillan.
• Actively engage with Macmillan Cancer Support to contribute expertise and experience and support the Macmillan Corporate Strategy.
• Carry out some administration duties required by the role and that may release time from specialist CNS.

Person specification

Education

• Good general education, English and Math GCSE A-C.
• NVQ4 plus additional training to diploma level equivalent, or equivalent short courses.
• Shows willingness to undertake further training.
• Coaching or teaching qualification.

Experience

• Relevant health or social care experience or equivalent.
• Demonstrates good communication skills and values.
• Experience of multi-professional team working.
• Experience with working with people with health or social care needs.

Skills

• Demonstrates accurate written communication of information.
• Demonstrates ability to work flexibly.

Organisational

• Ability to prioritise workload and use own initiative.
• Demonstrates good time management skills.

I.T.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Important information for applicants

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for those that meet the Visa and Immigration eligibility criteria.

Closing adverts early: Please apply as early as you're able for this role. In the event of exceptional interest we may close adverts earlier than specified.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Further Information

For help with the application process for non-medical vacancies only, please contact the Resourcing Team by Email: [e-mail]

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Contact:
Name: Miranda Jose
Job title: Macmillan Information & Support Manager
Email address: [e-mail]
Telephone number: 07979701403