Job responsibilities
Knowledge and Skills
Good General Education with GCSE English and Mathematics (Grades A-C or equivalent)
Competence in the use of all Microsoft products
Relevant Health or Social Care experience at AFC Band 3 or equivalent
Efficient in the use of Microsoft Word for Windows, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and Internet
Understanding of person-centred support
Experience of multi-professional working
Evidence of good communication skills
Understanding of the health and social care environment
Able to use own initiative and work without supervision
Able to prioritise work and work of others
Possess excellent communication skills
Effective organization skills
Ability to communicate both verbally and non-verbally on a daily basis with people at all levels
Good observation skills
Practical problem-solving skills
Ability to work within a team
Ability to retrieve information from a wide range of sources and in different formats
Key Result areas:
The duties and responsibilities listed below should be undertaken in accordance with levels of competence. In addition, all staff are expected to act in accordance with the values and behaviours of the Trust.
Under the guidance and supervision of a registered practitioner:
To provide general information and support about 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, virtual and telephone) communication with patients, relatives, carers and other health and social care professionals. The information and nature of the communication required is sensitive due to the nature of cancer. Communication in this context requires a high degree of empathy, understanding, diplomacy, honesty and integrity.
To utilise verbal and non-verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with patients, their families and carers. This will include patients/carers who may or may not have barriers to communication through cognitive or physical impairment e.g. hearing or visual impairment, confusion and depression.
To meet the challenge of supporting patients living with the consequences of a cancer diagnosis. Encompassing patients receiving curative and palliative treatments and supportive care.
Establish a process of Holistic Needs Assessment. Undertaking patient assessments and formulating individual Care Plans to best suit patient needs and preferences.
To be responsible for accessing written resources to provide information for patients and carers.
To integrate the support worker role into the existing service with the aim of maintaining personalised care, ensuring an excellent level of patient experience.
To support the CNS team by contributing to the redesign of care pathways for patients with a Gynaecological cancer in order to improve quality and patient safety.
To undertake by negotiation, administrative tasks currently undertaken by the CNS team ie monitoring of database, monitoring telephone helpline.
Provide basic telephone advice and refer on or signpost to other sources of support.
Communicate and signpost to appropriate needs related information.
To be actively involved in service development plans such as Prehab etc.
Guide people through the use of self-assessment resources.
To strengthen the links with primary and secondary services and refer to multi-disciplinary team members as appropriate
Be proactive and motivated; to be able to identify areas of potential future role development, and demonstrate how this will contribute to an enhanced provision of patient care within the team.
To undertake specific supervised and unsupervised work, organising and prioritising own caseload (within clearly defined boundaries).
To directly support patients with non-complex needs, providing practical support and advice.
To comply with Trust and Departmental policies and procedures e.g, Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Manual Handline, clinical equipment competency, risk management, Data Protection Acts and patient confidentiality at all times. This will include demonstrating compliance with the terms of all safeguarding policies and processes relevant to the safeguarding of adults and children in the care of GHNHSFT and to undergo regular mandatory training concerned with safeguarding matters.
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
Advise patients on individual self-care management principles and review/further promote this information
Encourage and support active and healthy lifestyle choices
Planning/inviting/organising of health and well-being events or other supported self-management
Communications and working relationships
To utilise verbal and nonverbal communication skills to effectively communicate with patients, their families and carers. This may include patients/carers who may or may not have barriers to communication e.g., language, through cognitive or physical impairment
To co-ordinate 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 and carers.
To motivate patients to enrol in rehabilitation, where there may be reluctance or communication difficulties
Comment on proposed changes to policies and procedures
Support and contribute to audit processes and service development
To support the CNS team by contributing to the redesign of care pathways for patients with cancer in order to improve quality and patient safety
Make sure that people affected by cancer are aware that they are interacting with a healthcare professional and know about the full range of resources and services available
Carry out some administration duties required by the role
Order supplies and equipment
Understand that there will be frequent exposure to distressing/highly distressing situations and when to seek appropriate support/advice
Take an active part in team meetings and audits as required
Planning/inviting/organising of health and well-being events or other supported self-management
Comment on proposed changes to policies and procedures
Support and contribute to audit processes and service development
To support the CNS team by contributing to the redesign of care pathways for patients with cancer in order to improve quality and patient safety
Make sure that people affected by cancer are aware that they are interacting with a healthcare professional and know about the full range of resources and services available
Carry out some administration duties required by the role
Order supplies and equipment
Take an active part in team meetings and audits as required
To co-ordinate 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 and carers.
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
To form a link with all health and well-being events, referring patients as appropriate
To encourage patients to enrol in prehab recommendations to optimise outcomes
Deliver patient-centred, self-management support and education as necessary to non-complex patients, including how to self-assess
