Job summary
Specialising in patients with breast cancer, the cancer support worker works as part of the cancer care team alongside registered practitioners to help improve and provide a personalised care and support package for patients and their families, supporting and signposting with the aim to facilitate a self managed approach and a firm understanding of their cancer pathway.
As a cancer support worker you can offer practical and emotional support, signpost and provide information around lifestyle changes such as diet and physical activity, and assist with benefits referrals and psychological support.
The Breast Care Centre is a busy unit with a friendly atmosphere and is an important part of North Bristol NHS Trust - we also support Breast Services at Weston Hospital so there may be some cross-site working.
Main duties of the job
To work as an integral part of the Breast Cancer Specialist Nursing team in providing a patient centred approach to their cancer journey using the Personalised Care & Support model. The cancer support worker will promote access to support services and assess patients individual needs and requirements in a holistic way and will do this by
- Working alongside the Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Coordinating care by providing a single point of access
- Triaging patients, using a risk assessment framework and initiate appropriate response according to protocols
- Undertaking individual holistic needs assessments and care planning
- Providing basic face to face or telephone advice and refer on or sign-post to other sources of support
- Coordinating any necessary assessments
- Supporting information provision
- Guiding people through the use of self-assessment resources
- Participating in the organisation, delivery and administration of the Health and Wellbeing events and courses and other patient education sessions
- Documenting and monitor all aspects of care coordination and service delivery, supporting data collection for audit.
Communication skills and adaptability are essential as is the ability to work as part of a team but also autonomously managing your own caseload of patients and using initiative, but also recognising your own personal limitations and boundaries.
About us
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the job description attached for a full list of role responsibilities.
- To provide information and support about cancer and the services available to those affected by cancer to enable these people to navigate the health and social care system and make choices that are best for their own individual cancer and their life.
- A key aspect of the role involves daily and direct eg face to face/telephone communication with patients, relatives, carers and other health and social care professionals as part of the multidisciplinary team approach.
- To be proactive in identifying patients individual needs using approved tools and procedures to ensure these needs are met.
- To co-ordinate access to the right level of information and educational resources to support people in decision making, enable independence and support self management as appropriate.
- To demonstrate an awareness of the limits of personal practice and knowledge, and understand when to seek appropriate advice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the job description attached for a full list of role responsibilities.
- To provide information and support about cancer and the services available to those affected by cancer to enable these people to navigate the health and social care system and make choices that are best for their own individual cancer and their life.
- A key aspect of the role involves daily and direct eg face to face/telephone communication with patients, relatives, carers and other health and social care professionals as part of the multidisciplinary team approach.
- To be proactive in identifying patients individual needs using approved tools and procedures to ensure these needs are met.
- To co-ordinate access to the right level of information and educational resources to support people in decision making, enable independence and support self management as appropriate.
- To demonstrate an awareness of the limits of personal practice and knowledge, and understand when to seek appropriate advice.
Person Specification
Education/Training/Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE A*- D, or equivalent in English and Mathematics
- NVQ Level 4 or NVQ Level 3 plus additional training to diploma level in health and social care
Work Experience
Essential
- Relevant health & social care experience at Senior Healthcare Support Worker (AfC Band 3) level
- Experience in an administrative role & data management
- Experience of working in a multi-professional environment
- Experience of supporting/teaching patients & carers
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Evidence of good communication skills & the ability to communicate sensitively with patients
- IT skills, basic word, Email, keyboard skills
- Knowledge of cancer pathways and an understanding of patient-centred care
- Effective organisational skills
- Good observational, assessment & problem solving skills
- The ability to work within a team
Person Specification
Education/Training/Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE A*- D, or equivalent in English and Mathematics
- NVQ Level 4 or NVQ Level 3 plus additional training to diploma level in health and social care
Work Experience
Essential
- Relevant health & social care experience at Senior Healthcare Support Worker (AfC Band 3) level
- Experience in an administrative role & data management
- Experience of working in a multi-professional environment
- Experience of supporting/teaching patients & carers
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Evidence of good communication skills & the ability to communicate sensitively with patients
- IT skills, basic word, Email, keyboard skills
- Knowledge of cancer pathways and an understanding of patient-centred care
- Effective organisational skills
- Good observational, assessment & problem solving skills
- The ability to work within a team
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
