Job summary
The Support Worker is a dual-role position that supports high-quality, efficient patient care across the surgical continuum. This role is well-suited for a detail-oriented, organised professional who is passionate about patient outcomes and thrives in a fast-paced clinical environment.
In the ERAS Clinical Assistant capacity, the individual supports the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery program by assisting with patient education, coordinating with surgeons, nursing, and allied health teams, and ensuring adherence to ERAS protocols. This role helps optimise patient recovery by supporting evidence-based practices before, during, and after surgery.
As a Discharge Coordinator, the individual plays a key role in facilitating safe, timely, and well-coordinated patient discharges. Responsibilities include collaborating with multidisciplinary team (MDT), arranging follow-up appointments, and ensuring discharge documentation is complete. In addition, the role entails ensuring Healthcare Assistants are well supported in the provision of essential bedside care, in line with the principles of ERAS.
Someone would want to work in this role because it offers the opportunity to directly impact patient recovery, reduce length of stay and complications, and be an integral part of both perioperative care and discharge planning. It's an excellent role for someone who enjoys coordination, teamwork, and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement in patient care.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will undertake a clinical role, providing holistic support to patients on the ERAS pathway across the perioperative journey, including both prehabilitation and rehabilitation. They will carry out health and wellbeing assessments, identify individual patient needs, and signpost patients to the most appropriate services to support recovery. They will deliver planned, safe, effective, and evidence-based care to patients on the wards.
In addition to clinical responsibilities, the post holder will have an administrative function, including the collection, analysis, and reporting of clinical data to support audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives. They will contribute to the education of staff and patients and participate in formal teaching and training sessions related to ERAS principles and best practice.
As discharge coordinator the post holder will work as part of the clinical team and alongside the wider MDT to facilitate safe and timely patient discharges. This includes supporting the assessment process and contributing to the development of appropriate discharge plans, ensuring all relevant assessments and information are accurate, current, and clearly documented.
About us
The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.
Job description
Job responsibilities
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Patient Discharge and Care Coordination
Coordinate and support timely, safe patient discharges through effective communication with patients, families, carers, and the multidisciplinary team.Act as a ward-based point of contact for discharge planning, prioritising discharges daily and escalating delays or concerns appropriately.Liaise with internal and external services, including complex discharge and ERAS teams, to proactively manage discharge plans and recovery needs.Attend board rounds, MDT meetings, and daily huddles, contributing to discharge planning and continuity of care.Arrange patient transport and communicate anticipated needs to relevant departments to support effective recovery and discharge.
Patient Assessment, Advocacy and Health Promotion
Coordinate and undertake patient health and wellbeing assessments under appropriate supervision, contributing to ongoing evaluation of care.Act as an advocate for patients and families, providing information and support to enable informed decision-making.Develop therapeutic relationships, encouraging patient engagement and participation in treatment, recovery, and discharge planning.Deliver health promotion advice within scope of practice and signpost or refer patients to relevant services and allied health professionals.Provide counselling, advice, and education to patients and relatives on ERAS pathways, prehabilitation, and recovery programmes.
Enhanced Recovery (ERAS) Delivery and Development
Support and oversee the delivery of ERAS pathways, enabling patients to achieve daily recovery goals.Educate staff and patients on ERAS principles, promoting adherence to care bundles and encouraging active patient participation.Monitor and communicate ERAS compliance, celebrating good practice and escalating barriers to delivery.Participate in patient education, prehabilitation programmes, and follow-up activities as required.
Clinical Practice and Professional Accountability
Undertake agreed clinical procedures and delegated tasks within scope of practice, under the supervision of a registered nurse or relevant professional.Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of assessments, interventions, and outcomes.Recognise changing priorities, respond appropriately to patient needs, and seek guidance to maintain safe practice.Maintain professional boundaries, uphold dignity, respect cultural and individual needs, and ensure privacy at all times.
Leadership, Education and Workforce Development
Lead, support, and supervise Band 2 and Band 3 staff, ensuring high standards of care, completion of essential training, and PDRs in line with Trust policy.Support the training and development of new staff, students, and trainees, acting as a role model and contributing to learning events such as Surgical Study Days.Work collaboratively with senior nursing staff and the MDT on service development and improvement initiatives.
Quality Improvement, Audit and Research
Contribute to audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives, including data collection from clinical systems and patients.Support monitoring of patient experience and use feedback to inform service improvement.Participate in regional and national meetings, presenting data and providing feedback to colleagues.Keep practice up to date through engagement with current evidence and best practice.
Communication, Team Working and Professional Conduct
Communicate professionally, clearly, and effectively with patients, the public, and health and social care professionals.Work collaboratively within the MDT to deliver safe, holistic, patient-centred care and avoid unnecessary readmission.Manage workload effectively, working autonomously on designated projects while remaining flexible to changing service needs.Maintain confidentiality, comply with Trust policies and procedures, complete mandatory training, and engage in appraisal and objective setting.Uphold Trust values and behaviours and be accountable for personal conduct and professional standards.
Job description
Job responsibilities
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Patient Discharge and Care Coordination
Coordinate and support timely, safe patient discharges through effective communication with patients, families, carers, and the multidisciplinary team.Act as a ward-based point of contact for discharge planning, prioritising discharges daily and escalating delays or concerns appropriately.Liaise with internal and external services, including complex discharge and ERAS teams, to proactively manage discharge plans and recovery needs.Attend board rounds, MDT meetings, and daily huddles, contributing to discharge planning and continuity of care.Arrange patient transport and communicate anticipated needs to relevant departments to support effective recovery and discharge.
Patient Assessment, Advocacy and Health Promotion
Coordinate and undertake patient health and wellbeing assessments under appropriate supervision, contributing to ongoing evaluation of care.Act as an advocate for patients and families, providing information and support to enable informed decision-making.Develop therapeutic relationships, encouraging patient engagement and participation in treatment, recovery, and discharge planning.Deliver health promotion advice within scope of practice and signpost or refer patients to relevant services and allied health professionals.Provide counselling, advice, and education to patients and relatives on ERAS pathways, prehabilitation, and recovery programmes.
Enhanced Recovery (ERAS) Delivery and Development
Support and oversee the delivery of ERAS pathways, enabling patients to achieve daily recovery goals.Educate staff and patients on ERAS principles, promoting adherence to care bundles and encouraging active patient participation.Monitor and communicate ERAS compliance, celebrating good practice and escalating barriers to delivery.Participate in patient education, prehabilitation programmes, and follow-up activities as required.
Clinical Practice and Professional Accountability
Undertake agreed clinical procedures and delegated tasks within scope of practice, under the supervision of a registered nurse or relevant professional.Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of assessments, interventions, and outcomes.Recognise changing priorities, respond appropriately to patient needs, and seek guidance to maintain safe practice.Maintain professional boundaries, uphold dignity, respect cultural and individual needs, and ensure privacy at all times.
Leadership, Education and Workforce Development
Lead, support, and supervise Band 2 and Band 3 staff, ensuring high standards of care, completion of essential training, and PDRs in line with Trust policy.Support the training and development of new staff, students, and trainees, acting as a role model and contributing to learning events such as Surgical Study Days.Work collaboratively with senior nursing staff and the MDT on service development and improvement initiatives.
Quality Improvement, Audit and Research
Contribute to audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives, including data collection from clinical systems and patients.Support monitoring of patient experience and use feedback to inform service improvement.Participate in regional and national meetings, presenting data and providing feedback to colleagues.Keep practice up to date through engagement with current evidence and best practice.
Communication, Team Working and Professional Conduct
Communicate professionally, clearly, and effectively with patients, the public, and health and social care professionals.Work collaboratively within the MDT to deliver safe, holistic, patient-centred care and avoid unnecessary readmission.Manage workload effectively, working autonomously on designated projects while remaining flexible to changing service needs.Maintain confidentiality, comply with Trust policies and procedures, complete mandatory training, and engage in appraisal and objective setting.Uphold Trust values and behaviours and be accountable for personal conduct and professional standards.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to a level 5 foundation degree specific to practice or equivalent role specific experience.
Desirable
- GCSE grades A-C in English and Math or equivalent.
- The Christie Care Certificate
Experience
Essential
- Experience working in cancer care.
- Experience of providing and receiving complex and sensitive information.
- Band 3 experience
Desirable
- Knowledge of ERAS principles.
- Surgical experience
Skills
Essential
- Effective communication skills.
- Organised and capable of managing own workload.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and adapt effectively in a fast-paced, pressurised environment.
- Ability to support, supervise, assess and role model junior staff
Desirable
- Relevant clinical skills.
- Administrative experience and experience using Microsoft Office.
- Knowledge of NHS data systems
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of health promotion.
- Understanding of evidence-based practice.
- High standards in effective record keeping.
Desirable
- Understands importance of clinical governance.
Values
Essential
- Flexible
- Strong work ethic.
- A dedicated team player.
- Accuracy and attention to detail.
- Willing to take on projects and be involved in new initiatives.
- Ability to demonstrate organisational values and behaviours.
Other
Essential
- Flexible working hours and weekend work.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to a level 5 foundation degree specific to practice or equivalent role specific experience.
Desirable
- GCSE grades A-C in English and Math or equivalent.
- The Christie Care Certificate
Experience
Essential
- Experience working in cancer care.
- Experience of providing and receiving complex and sensitive information.
- Band 3 experience
Desirable
- Knowledge of ERAS principles.
- Surgical experience
Skills
Essential
- Effective communication skills.
- Organised and capable of managing own workload.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and adapt effectively in a fast-paced, pressurised environment.
- Ability to support, supervise, assess and role model junior staff
Desirable
- Relevant clinical skills.
- Administrative experience and experience using Microsoft Office.
- Knowledge of NHS data systems
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of health promotion.
- Understanding of evidence-based practice.
- High standards in effective record keeping.
Desirable
- Understands importance of clinical governance.
Values
Essential
- Flexible
- Strong work ethic.
- A dedicated team player.
- Accuracy and attention to detail.
- Willing to take on projects and be involved in new initiatives.
- Ability to demonstrate organisational values and behaviours.
Other
Essential
- Flexible working hours and weekend work.
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).
