Breast Cancer Support Worker

Job overview

Band 4 Breast Cancer Support Worker

We are looking to  recruit  a Cancer Support Worker to join our Breast cancer specialist nursing team at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

We strive to provide excellent quality cancer and holistic care to all of our patients, and our friendly team of Cancer Support Workers play a key part in this.

You will work under the supervision of registered nurses, providing patients and carers with general information and support about cancer related issues and cancer services.

You will also assist the team with administrative duties helping to ensure the safe and timely follow up of patients who are undergoing surveillance after cancer treatment.

Training will be provided by the Royal Berkshire Hospital and the working environment is friendly and supportive.

An informal visit and/or phone call is strongly recommended in order to research the post and the team.

Main duties of the job

This post provides administrative duties and support to the Clinical Nurse Specialists.

A key aspect of the role involves daily and direct (e.g. face-to-face and telephone) communication with patients, relatives, carers, and other health and social care professionals.

You will work closely with the Clinical Nurse Specialists to prepare clinics and may track patients on surveillance using a variety of electronic systems. You will assist in the administration of nurse-led clinics and holistic needs assessments and in the preparation of written and electronic patient information. You may also be required to carry out 'buddy calls' to vulnerable, isolated patients escalating any concerns to the registered nursing team.

You will have excellent communication and organisational skills, and work well within a small team.

Although each of our support worker posts supports a specific cancer team you may be asked to support other teams at times and the Cancer Support Workers also act as department fire wardens on a rota basis.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of a registered practitioner, the support worker helps co-ordinate care by providing a single point of access, including: Rapid re-entry into the system for those people identified as having urgent or specialist needs, providing general information and support about cancer and cancer services.

By supporting independence and self management the role enables people to navigate the health and social care system and make choices that are best for their cancer and their lifestyle.

The information you will provide and communication required is sensitive due to the nature of cancer.

Communication in this context requires a high degree of empathy, understanding, diplomacy, honesty and integrity.

Please refer to the attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details.