Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Contract Type: Full-Time
Salary Range: £26,530 – £29,114 per year
Employer: University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
Posted: 3 days ago
Closing Date: 04 February 2025
Job Overview
The Cancer Support Worker team at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join their well-established and compassionate team. The role offers an exciting opportunity to provide personalized support and information to individuals living with and affected by cancer. As a Cancer Support Worker, you will work closely with various clinical teams and cancer services to coordinate care and provide signposting to additional services, ensuring patients receive comprehensive support throughout their cancer journey.
This role provides the chance to contribute to improving the overall experience of cancer care at UHBW, while working within a supportive, interdisciplinary team that focuses on delivering personalized care.
Key Responsibilities
As a Cancer Support Worker, your main duties will include:
- Coordination of Care: You will coordinate necessary assessments, appointments, and investigations to fast track patients back into the service.
- Emergency Response: Demonstrate the ability to recognize and respond appropriately to sudden deterioration or emergency situations, ensuring the clinical team is alerted and rapid responses are initiated.
- Holistic Needs Assessment: You will contribute to the development of individual care plans by completing and supporting holistic needs assessments, ensuring a comprehensive approach to patient care.
- Proactive Prevention: Make pre-planned outbound calls to patients to assess ongoing needs, enabling a proactive approach to prevention and early intervention.
- Information and Support: Support individuals in accessing appropriate information and services by signposting them to a range of support services and empowering them to self-manage when applicable.
- Healthy Lifestyle Promotion: Encourage and support patients in adopting active and healthy lifestyle choices that improve their well-being.
- Event Planning: Organize and plan health and well-being events or other self-management initiatives, helping patients take control of their health.
- Patient Information Development: Support the development of new patient information packs, website pages, and patient leaflets, in collaboration with the clinical team.
- Cancer Awareness Campaigns: Promote cancer awareness campaigns to educate and inform the community about cancer prevention and care.
- Service Development and Research: Contribute to service development and take part in research and audit projects aimed at improving cancer care.
- Macmillan Centre Support: Provide support and information to patients, carers, and family members at the Macmillan Centre, working on a rota basis as directed by the Senior Cancer Support Worker.
Why Join UHBW?
By joining the Cancer Support Worker team at UHBW, you’ll be part of a compassionate and well-supported team dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by cancer. The role offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, where you can make a real difference to patient care while furthering your own professional development.
Person Specification
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications, experience, and skills:
Knowledge and Experience
- Essential:
- Relevant health or social care experience at AfC Band 3 or equivalent.
- Experience of multi-professional working and collaborating across teams.
- Proficient in data management and using IT systems.
- Strong communication skills and a clear understanding of person-centered care.
- Experience in coaching or teaching patients and carers.
- Desirable:
- Knowledge of Macmillan Cancer Support and its role across the UK.
- Experience in coordinating a patient workload.
- Familiarity with national cancer policies, including Improving Outcomes: A strategy for Cancer.
- Knowledge of cancer treatments, interventions, and terminology.
Skills and Abilities
- Essential:
- Strong IT skills and the ability to work independently.
- Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize your workload.
- Effective communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, to interact with individuals at all levels.
- Ability to show empathy and understand the emotional difficulties faced by those affected by cancer.
- Ability to communicate sensitive information and motivate patients and carers.
- Good observation skills and a flexible attitude to working.
- Ability to retrieve and manage information from a variety of sources.
Aptitudes
- Essential:
- Calm, objective, and confident with a mature approach to both personal and professional matters.
- Enthusiastic and able to deal with complex and emotionally difficult situations.
- Recognition of your own limitations and willingness to seek support when needed.
- Ability to travel between sites as necessary.
Qualifications and Training
- Essential:
- GCSE English Language and Mathematics (Grades A-C) or equivalent.
- NVQ4 or NVQ3 plus additional training to diploma level or equivalent through short courses.
- Desirable:
- Evidence of continued role development.
- Willingness to undertake Macmillan learning and development courses.
- Coaching or teaching qualification.
Sponsorship for Skilled Workers
Applications from individuals requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcomed and will be considered alongside other applications. For further details, please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Applicants must also meet the criminal record certificate requirements for international candidates as outlined by UK Visas and Immigration.
Apply Now
If you are passionate about providing personalized care and support to individuals affected by cancer, this is an excellent opportunity to make a real difference. Apply by 04 February 2025 and join a supportive, compassionate team at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.
