Haematology Cancer Support Worker

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Haematology Oncology team at Tameside Hospital as the Cancer Support Worker.

The post holder will work closely with the performance team to ensure patients that are on a Faster Diagnostic Standard (FDS) pathway are seen efficiently and appropriate diagnostic investigations are booked swiftly, being involved with each step from first referral to diagnosis. You will be a point of contact for patients and liaise directly with them to inform of appointments and what to expect.

The successful candidate will also take lead with the Patient Stratified Follow Up (PSFU) pathways, liaising with the Clinical Nurse Specialists for clinical input.

Skills such as good communication skills, prioritisation and a team player are essential.

Main duties of the job

• Closely monitor the Patient Tracking List (PTL) to have a comprehensive understanding of where each patient is up to on their pathway.
• Ensure appropriate appointments are booked in a timely manner and escalate any that have long wait times.
• Be the first point of contact for patients, their families and other health care professionals up to the point of diagnosis.
• Communicate well with various health professionals of all levels, both internal and externally.
• Promote patient centred care, following the Patient Stratified Follow Up (PSFU) framework.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Closely monitor the Patient Tracking List (PTL) and have a good knowledge of which stage each patient is up to on their pathway.
• Ensuring timeliness of investigations with appropriate follow up appointment based on clinical need as assessed by the haematology team.
• Communicate with patients to arrange appointments with them for telephone assessment and triage with relevant clinical team.
• Communicate with patients to ensure that they are well prepared for their clinical investigations, providing non-clinical information.
• Be the first point of contact for patients, their relatives and Health Care Professionals up to the point of diagnosis, working closely with the relevant doctor and their team.
• Ensure the patient understands their care pathway and is aware of appointments and any changes.
• Attend MDT meetings, to represent patients who are on FDS pathways and taking any updates or actions agreed.
• Communicating with other health care professionals as appropriate to ensure patients are on track to meet their target date.
• Demonstrate an awareness of limits of own practice and knowledge and when to seek appropriate support / advice.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines related to own service needs.
• Coordinates all administrative processes for each patient’s pathway to ensure it is managed smoothly and within agreed time frames
• Liaise and communicate with primary care centres as and when required.
• Ensure appointments are coordinated according to MDT recommendations, minimising the number of patients hospitals visits as appropriate.
• Highlight potential delays in investigation/diagnosis throughout patient pathway and escalate appropriately.
• To monitor time intervals between tests/treatment, pre-empting and identifying bottlenecks or delays in the patients’ pathways, escalating issues where necessary.
• Monitor investigations and tests to ensure they have been completed and results/reports are available prior to appointments, consultations and MDT meetings with the clinical team.
• Attending weekly local pathway meetings to discuss target patients with clinical teams to identify next steps and taking any potential actions to support the timeliness of patient pathways.
• Completing pathway maps for each patient on a FDS (Faster Diagnosis 28 day pathway) in real time and reviewing breached patients with service management team.
• Supporting service management team by identifying potential pathway improvements.
• Process confidential patient-sensitive documentation to and from patients, other healthcare professionals and external agencies
• Carry out all aspects of care as requested by the Haematology nursing team.
• Promote patient centred care and establish good relationships with patients.
• Identify and make contact with patients during their cancer journey, identifying required level of intervention under supervision of the Haematology Nursing Team.
• The Haematology Cancer Support Worker will be expected to take on some non-clinical aspects of the patient management.
• Triage incoming calls using good communication skills, adhering to strict protocols and policies which have been outlined and agreed with the clinical team.
• Assist Haematology Nursing Team in relevant service audit and research.
• Assess and allocate timely and appropriate Haematology Nursing Team Survivorship follow up appointments as required;
• Order educational leaflets to support the Haematology Cancer Service;
• Order supplies for nurse led clinics.

Additional Requirements:

• Follow risk management procedures at all times including the identification, assessment and management of risk within the Division.
• To abide by all Trust policies and Procedures.
• To be responsible for own professional/personal development, including participating in ongoing appraisal and personal development planning.

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive but reflects the main responsibilities of the post holder.  Other duties may be required from time to time, which are commensurate with the grade of the post.  This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification.