Macmillan Cancer Information & Support Assistant
Job summary
Based at the Macmillan Cancer Information & Support Centre in the Williams Day Unit, we are seeking an enthusiastic individual with excellent communications skills able provide cancer information and support in a variety of circumstances. The post is a patient facing role and is non-clinical. It is a 6 months fixed term/secondment post. The post holder will work primarily with the Macmillan Cancer Information Manager and support the needs of individuals, carers, relatives and professionals in accessing high quality information and signposting patients to internal and external support services that are relevant to meet their needs. The post holder will be expected to and undertake the delivery of patients holistic needs assessments, provision of verbal and written information, supportive listening and refer on to appropriate services where the needs of the patient are more complex. This role will involve cross-site cover (St. Margaret's Hospital, Epping) and information support to cancer patients and users. They will support the Macmillan Cancer Information Manager and will be required to support and guide volunteers within the service. The post holder will be expected to deputise in the absence of the Macmillan Cancer Information Manager.
Main duties of the job
You will support: the delivery of high-quality patient experience through the delivery of high quality information at any point of the patients cancer pathway support the Macmillan Cancer Information manager in the Williams Day Unit and provide information and support to cancer service users across sites in St Margarets and Herts & Essex Hospitals the development of the Health and Wellbeing programmes for cancer patients and work with various multidisciplinary teams to signpost and provide a comprehensive supportive service to all service users the delivery of Holistic Needs Assessments and work alongside cancer multidisciplinary teams to support the provision of a personalised care plan. Experience in using IT systems and databases is required. You will work as part of a team but also work autonomously across the hospital sites; therefore, will need to be flexible. You will manage and prioritise your workload, work on initiative and signpost and escalate concerns where appropriate. Provide cross site working when required to ensure service is available to all patients and carers where possible. Deliver day-to-day administrative support, data entry. Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to support service delivery. Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with Trust policies. Participate in team meetings and contribute to service improvement initiatives.
About us
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. This means were working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives. Were a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Professional:
To assess the needs of individuals attending/contacting the service and to work with them to identify the support they require.
Develop a wide understanding of cancer types, treatments and common side effects. As well as the impact that cancer treatment has on patients and their families to help deliver cancer information and support.
Assist patients in completing Electronic Holistic Needs Assessments (eHNA’s) and develop subsequent care plans to address concerns. To provide non-clinical information on topics such as financial support, counselling, support services etc. This will be in a range of formats.
To communicate effectively with clinical teams to ensure the highest standards of care.
Deliver health education for non-complex patients in collaboration with established care providers such as Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cancer Information Manager and Recovery Package Manager, particularly focussing on signs and symptoms to look out for and late consequences of treatment.
To complete referrals to a range of organisations and professionals, including cancer centres, social services, benefits advisors, social prescribers and counsellors. In appropriate cases, to plan and implement a package of follow-up support and information to the service user based on their needs.
To create and update accurate and timely records of patient information using the Trust’s Electronic Patient Record System.
Facilitate joined up support services, information and health education to create a seamless experience of care for patients
To contribute to the development and maintenance of relationships with other departments and wards within the Trust and community.
Understand that there will be some distressing situations and when to seek appropriate support/advice.
To listen with empathy to distressed or angry patients or carers regarding sensitive matters, ensuring discretion and confidentiality.
To provide general information and support about cancer and cancer services, to enable people to navigate the health and social care system and make choices. Act as advocate and facilitator to resolve issues that may be perceived as barriers to care.
Provide rostered cover in the Cancer Information Hub in Williams Day Unit.
Support patients and carers to understand what signs and symptoms or situation to be aware of that would indicate concern.
Support patients and carers how to make contact when they feel their condition or needs have changed, including what to do out of hours.
Encourage and support active and healthy lifestyle choices
To demonstrate a willingness to identify their own learning and development needs and be willing to undertake further training and study in order to address these needs.
Demonstrate an understanding of Macmillan Cancer Support and its role across the UK.
Demonstrate an understanding of the elements included in Recovery Package/Personalised Care for people living with and beyond cancer.
Duties and responsibilities
To collate and record data based on service user interactions using relevant IT systems, PAHT clinical information systems,( Alex Health, Somerset), Microsoft office programmes (Outlook, Word, Excel etc) Case note Management, Macmillan MyCare Plan and 8 x 8
To conduct research into cancer related topics and community demographics that contribute to continuous service improvement, to ensure the service meets the needs of the whole community
To contribute to the planning and organisation of events and displays outside the centre, helping to promote the service
To keep the centre clean, tidy and ensure cancer information stands are kept up to date and well stocked both inside the centre and throughout the hospital including St. Margaret’s and Herts and Essex Hospitals.
To order cancer information and resources for colleagues and teams where appropriate
To encourage user involvement, engagement and feedback that supports the design and development of services
To curate interesting and engaging content for the Trust and Macmillan’s communications departments that celebrate the work done within the centre and in the community
To engage in Centre fundraising activities to support the objectives of Macmillan Cancer Support
There will be a requirement for you to work across site at times To provide administrative support to the manager.
To provide assistance with specific projects as required. To work flexibly in order to deliver the objectives of the service.
The post holder will work within the Operational Policies for the Centre as a whole and for their post but will be expected to use their own initiative and judgement in dealing with enquiries.
The post holder will ensure that situations or enquiries requiring specialist intervention are referred appropriately and in a timely fashion. Management and Leadership:
To deputise for the manager when required.
To support with the recruitment and management of volunteers.
To comply with health, safety and security measures and report any concerns to the manager.
Carry out administration duties required by the role including filing, report writing, documenting decisions made, making up information packs, ordering supplies and equipment.
Demonstrate effective communication with patients, carers, other Health Professionals and stakeholders
Identify own personal education and role development needs and access Macmillan resources to address.
Demonstrate self-directed learning, actively seeking role development opportunities to enhance practice, knowledge and role progression.
Overcome barriers to effective communication.
Adhere to clear role boundaries and expectations and when to seek support of signpost to more appropriate care provider.
As this is a Macmillan Role, you will wear the Macmillan badge and use Macmillan resources to benefit patients Communications and relationships
Macmillan Cancer Information Support Manager
Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre Assistants in other trusts
Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist Team Macmillan Recovery Package Manager
Personalised Care Cancer Support Worker
Patients, their carers’ and relatives
Chemotherapy Nursing Team
Other Personalised Care Cancer Support Workers
Macmillan Head of Nursing for cancer Services Haematology and Oncology Multi-disciplinary teams (MDT)
Patients, Families and other visitors
Macmillan
Essex and Hertfordshire Citizen Advice teams
Community teams and voluntary organisations
GP’s single point of access team and social prescribers
Local Hospice care and support
General duties of all employees:
To observe the provisions of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.
To actively participate in the appraisal process to identify personal development needs. To attend Trust statutory and mandatory training as required and any other training courses relevant to the post.
All staff will be treated with respect by management, colleagues, patients and visitors and equally staff will treat management, colleagues, patients and visitors with the same level of respect. Staff will be supported to challenge any discriminatory behaviour that may be based on differences in race, disability, language, culture, religion, sexuality, age, gender or employment status.
All employees are individually responsible for the prevention and control of infection within their own area. The employee must attend Infection Control Induction training and mandatory Infection control training. The employee must follow all Trust policies, procedures and guidelines relating to Infection Control.
The duties contained in this job description are not intended to be exhaustive.
The post holder must be flexible in the duties performed and it is expected that similar duties, not specifically listed above, will be carried out as required and may be cross site. Any such variation will be agreed in advance between the post holder and their manager as part of the continuing process of management review and development. This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and the manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Good standard of general education to GCSE level or equivalent
- Educated to A level or NVQ level 3, level 3 BTEC with knowledge of
- Health & Social Care
- Evidence of continual personal development
- Coaching or teaching qualification
Experience
- Recent experience of working in the NHS or a Healthcare setting
- Prioritising, planning and organising own tasks to meet competing
- deadlines.
- Experience of working as part of a team and individually.
- Experience of working with cancer patients, their families and carers.
- Experience of working within guidelines, policies and protocols
- Proven experience in data entry and associated documentation.
- Experience of IT packages Microsoft Office, Excel and IT equipment.
- Experience of providing and receiving complex and sensitive information
- and data management
- Insight into cancer and related issues.
- Knowledge / experience of Audit
- Experience of culture change projects.
- Experience of project administration, NHS or public sector experience.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
Address
The Princess Alexandra Hospital
Harlow
Essex
CM20 1QX
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.pah.nhs.uk