Head and Neck Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To identify and address patient/carer general informational needs, sign posting to other services as appropriate .

To review patients on the ward and in the outpatient setting under the direction of the registered nurse.

Liaise with the MDT coordinator and other healthcare professionals to ensure a seamless service for patients and a smooth transition through the patient pathway.

To make pre planned outbound telephone calls to patients to assess their on-going needs, providing a proactive approach to care.

Support the registered nurse in the coordinate of care to facilitate safe and effective discharge.

Identify changes in patients condition/needs, escalating concerns to the registered nurse.

Coordinate appointments or investigations to fast track patients through the system.

Advise patients on individual general self-management strategies as appropriate, including how to self-assess.Encourage and support healthy life style choices.

To provide Level 1 psychological support to patients/carers, referring patients with specialist needs to the registered nurse.

Demonstrate the ability to recognise and respond appropriately when faced with patient sudden deterioration or an emergency situation, alerting the registered nurse, enabling rapid response as appropriate.

To support the registered nurse in responding to EAU alerts for patients admitted as an emergency.

Professional Responsibilities

Able to document information in a legible, accurate, and professional manner in the hospital notes and on the Somerset Cancer Database.

Demonstrate an awareness of the limits of own knowledge and practice and when to seek appropriate support/advice.

To develop an effective working relationships with the Head & Neck MDT and other professionals across the Trust and within different boundaries of care.

To adhere to local and national directives related to cancer care.

To be a flexible member of the team, able to respond to the changing needs of cancer patients and the service.

Understand that there will be frequent exposure to distressing situations and when to seek appropriate support/advice.

Make sure that people affected by cancer are aware that they are interacting with a Macmillan Professional and know the full range of resources and services available through Macmillan.

Quality Assurance and Monitoring

To record nursing interventions on the Somerset data base.

To record data to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Macmillan Head & Neck Cancer service.

To assist the Macmillan Head & Neck Cancer CNS in the development of an Annual Report for Macmillan Cancer Support and the Trust.

Participate in Macmillan Service Reviews in order to drive service improvements.

Policy and Service Development Responsibilities

To participate in the self-declaration against national standards related to Head & Neck cancer and external Peer Review visits.

Support the implementation of the Cancer Recovery Package.

To support the Macmillan Head & Neck Cancer CNS in the development of policies/clinical guidelines to enhance the nursing service.

To participate in informal/formal education initiatives related to Head & Neck cancer.

Research and Development Responsibilities

To participate in clinical audit and research initiatives.

To promote best practice ensuring care in evidence based.

General Responsibilities

To contribute to the management of the service.

Person Specification

Education, Training & Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE English Language and Mathematics (A -C) or equivalents
• NVQ 4 /3

Desirable

• Evidence of continued development
• Any additional training/cancer module

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Relevant health or social care experience at band 3 or equivalent
• Experience of caring for patients living with long term Head and Neck Cancer
• Experience of multi professional working
• Experience in the use of data management
• Experience of coaching /teaching patients and carers

Desirable

• National Directives related to cancer care
• Experience of coordinating the patients

Skills

Essential

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Good observation and assessment skills
• Ability to work as a apart of team and utilise own initiative
• Effective Organisational Skills
• Ability to prioritise workload
• IT Skills.

Desirable

• Negotiation skills

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Northampton General Hospital

Address

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville

NORTHAMPTON

NN1 5BT

Employer's website

https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)