Cancer Support Worker For Head and Neck Oncology
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Taunton, Somerset
Our award winning trusts recognise that our colleagues are our most valuable resource, we are proud of the excellent levels of service our Trust provides to our service users and the dedication and conscientiousness of our colleagues. With over 10,000 colleagues working for our trusts in a very wide range of services, we aim to provide a supportive, inclusive environment in which our colleagues can thrive.
Potential Trust Merger
Our trust is consulting on a proposed merger to enable Yeovil District hospital and Somerset Foundation Trust to become one combined organisation. If the merger is confirmed your employment will transfer to the newly formed trust in April 2023
Job overview
Do you deliver compassionate excellence? Are you enthusiastic about learning and development? Do you want a new challenge? If yes then read on….
We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Cancer Support Worker (CSW).
The Beacon Centre provides cancer care to the population of Somerset of approximately 500,000. It has received a number of accolades since opening in 2009 for the high quality care delivered. These include CHKS ISO 9001 accreditation, Macmillan Quality Environment Mark score of 5 (out of 5) on all principles, Investors in People Gold and Customer Service Excellence A+++ award.
In the 2017 National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, the Beacon Centre was ranked second overall which is an excellent reflection of the patient centred care delivered.
Main duties of the job
Working closely with the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) team, the CSW will assist in the co-ordination and provision of patient care and support in the implementation of the living with and beyond program within Somerset.
The CSW will be supporting patients with cancer holistically, via the telephone and face to face. They will also be involved in the co-ordination and delivery of group patient education and wellbeing sessions designed to support our patient’s holistic needs.
Our CNS teams are central to the delivery of excellent care to cancer patients attending Musgrove Park Hospital. Our teams deliver a holistic approach to patient care using the latest technologies to support individualized assessments and care planning.
We are a new team within the hospital who are passionate in providing a high level of care for a complex cancer site and are exploring new ways of improving the care that is provided.
Alongside the CNS team you will work with the wider MDT, Cancer, Enhanced Supportive Care and Palliative Care services, providing a service across care boundaries in liaison with primary care. You will be part of a wider team of cancer specialists and be supported in your on-going development.
Working for our organisation
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust endeavours to provide development opportunities for those looking to develop a career in the NHS, in both clinical and non-clinical roles.
As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.
The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone’s throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.
There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan – there is truly something for everyone!
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Applicants should have experience of working in healthcare, with an interest in cancer. Successful applicants will require excellent communication and team working skills. A full program of training will be provided as part of the induction.
COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Patients/Relatives
- Communicate effectively with patients and their families
- Maintain accurate and contemporary patient records and data sets
- Act as patient advocate.
Professionals
- Effectively communicate with professional colleagues throughout Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and across network.
- Ensure the data sets are available to Macmillan and within the Trust in a timely manner.
- Attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings across the Trust as required.
- Working within a multi- disciplinary team
Please refer to the job description for further details on the role.
Person specification
Interview
Essential criteria
- GCSE English Language and Mathematics (Grades A – C) or equivalent • NVQ3 / 4 plus additional training to diploma or equivalent
- Experience of Multiprofessional working
- Understand patient centred care • Understanding of health and social care environment
- Able to work in a team • Ability to motivate self and others
- Values and respects others, treats everyone as an individual, is non-judgemental • Motivated to be genuinely kind and caring • Helps and co-operates with colleagues
Desirable criteria
- Experience of coordinating a patient workload
- Experience of informal or formal teaching such as presentations etc
- Knowledge of relevant cancer treatments, interventions and terminology
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Apply online now
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Lisa Thompson
- Job title
- Head and Neck Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01823 344111