Urology Cancer Support Worker

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a Band 4 Cancer Support Worker in Urology at Whittington Health NHS Trust.

The cancer support worker is instrumental in supporting the Urology Clinical Nurse Specialists in providing exceptional patient care to patients who are progressing through various cancer diagnosis and treatment pathways, with a particular focus on supporting  in the Holistic Needs Assessments of patients.

The main purpose of the Urology Cancer Support Worker is to support people affected by cancer to navigate the complex health and social care system, both during and following completion of cancer treatment. The Urology Cancer Support Worker will facilitate this  by building relationships with professionals and supporting patients to access relevant services, including generating referrals on the person’s behalf where necessary. The post holder will support the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) to coordinate 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; and to provide education and support for people with non complex care needs.

The main purpose of the Urology Cancer Support Worker is to support people affected by cancer to navigate the complex health and social care system, both during and following completion of cancer treatment. The Urology Cancer Support Worker will facilitate this  by building relationships with professionals and supporting patients to access relevant services, including generating referrals on the person’s behalf where necessary. The post holder will support the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) to coordinate 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; and to provide education and support for people with non complex care needs.

Coordination of care 1. Provide regular supported conversations with the person living with cancer, assessing their holistic needs, and supporting them to self-manage by providing relevant information and advice, and signposting to Macmillan resources and relevant services available, to meet their identified needs.2. Contribute to the completion of the holistic needs assessment and development of an individual care plan under the direction of the Urology CNSs.3. Following the holistic needs assessment, coordinate care with the person living with cancer so they can access the right help at the right time, providing a seamless experience of care. Ensuring the person is able to self-manage and provide a flexible and personalised response to any changes in need.4. To provide Level 1 psychological support to patients / carers, referring patients who require Level 2 support to the Urology CNSs.5. Provided practical and emotional support to the person living with cancer and their families whilst recognising that information needs may change over time. Work with the person to ensure they have all the information and support they need at all stages of the cancer journey.6. Triage incoming calls, providing general advice to healthcare professionals and patients / carers and referring complex / specialist issues to the Urology CNSs.7. Provide general telephone advice and refer on or signpost to other sources of support as appropriate.8. Make pre planned outgoing telephone calls to patients to assess ongoing needs and monitor progress, liaising with the Urology CNSs and other members of the healthcare team as appropriate in order to initiate a proactive prevention approach.9. Coordinate the necessary assessments, appointments, investigations and tests as identified in the patients care plan.10. Support the Urology CNSs in the coordination of care to facilitate safe and effective transition between services in order to provide seamless support for people affected by cancer.11. Support the delivery of patient information to ensure people receive appropriate verbal / written communications in a timely manner – including printing patient information, referring to the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service and ensuring that patients receive the patient information pack and understand its contents.12. Document and monitor all aspects of care coordination and service delivery, supporting data collection on Macmillan Right by You acute Performance Metrics, and how people living with cancer use the service, including care, support and follow up services they access.13. Act as the patient advocate and facilitator in order to resolve issues that may be perceived as barriers to care.14. Evaluate outcomes of care delivery with the Urology CNS team.

Clinical Demonstrate effective approaches to monitoring signs and symptoms of physical, mental, cognitive, behavioural and emotional distress, deterioration and improvement. This may include (as appropriate): 1. Accurately measure weight and height, calculate body mass index and recognise healthy ranges and clinically significant low / high readings. 2. Use manual techniques and devices to take, record and interpret vital signs including temperature, pulse, respiration (TPR), blood pressure (BP) and pulse oximetry in order to identify signs of improvement, deterioration or concern .3. Undertake venepuncture and routine ECG recording. 4. Measure and interpret blood glucose levels. 5. Collect specimens (sputum, urine etc), interpret findings and report as appropriate. 6. Undertake specialist diagnostic tests (after receiving training) such as COVID swabs, spirometry. 7. Recognise and escalate signs of all forms of abuse 8. Recognise signs of mental and emotional distress including agitation, or vulnerability. 9. Observe and monitor comfort and pain levels escalating to the appropriate clinician.

Communication 1. Support the delivery of patient and carer training and education, including use of equipment.2. Encourage and support active healthy lifestyle choices3. Coach patients and carers to understand the signs, symptoms or situations to be aware of that would indicate concern.4. Inform patients and carers on how to make contact when they feel their condition or needs have changed, including what to do out of hours.5. Ensure that patients and carers are aware that they are interacting with a Macmillan professional and are made aware of the full range of resources and services available through Macmillan.6. Actively engage with Macmillan Cancer Support to contribute expertise and experience to support the Macmillan Corporate Strategy.7. Effectively utilise a computer and various software applications in order to enter and maintain patient data, communicate with the multidisciplinary team and complete other IT tasks as required by the post8. Discuss support options with patients and carers with sensitivity and ensure that the Urology CNS team is kept informed of outcomes9. Promote patient / user involvement relating to the provision of cancer care.10.Record activity on the Somerset Cancer Register database.

Professional 1. To participate and display a willingness to learn, develop a relevant technical competency / area of interest and keep up to date with current national and local issues and developments.2. To routinely participate in departmental audits, and input data as requested.3. To be responsible for own learning in knowledge base relevant to own clinical area including mandatory training and the successful completion of clinical proficiencies as required for speciality.4. To be responsible for imparting information about the technical area of knowledge to other health care professionals as appropriate.5. To participate in regular formal supervision and develop a personal development plan in order to promote learning and enhance skills.7. To be responsible for managing own daily timetable of delegated tasks including time for supervision and training.8. To maintain professional working relationships within the trust, and other relevant organisations. 9. To access and input confidential patient information in accordance with the agreed policy and procedure.10. Carry out administrative duties as required by the role11. Demonstrate an awareness of the limits of own practice and knowledge and when to seek appropriate support / advice.12. Participate and contribute to service review and development13. Understand that there will be frequent exposure to distressing situations and when to seek appropriate support / advice.

Other responsibilities 1. To undertake any other such duties as may be required from time to time which are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade.2. To provide cover for other Macmillan Cancer Support Workers at Whittington Health when required for AL / study leave.3. To comply with the Trusts and departments policies, guidelines and procedures.4. To attend all mandatory training as required in line with Trust employment and professional need.5. To participate in team meetings. 6. To be responsible for informing your line manager of any issues relating to the ability to safely carry out duties.7. To be aware of departmental duties and initiatives to ensure a safe environment, recognising patients’ requirements for privacy and dignity.8. To recognise and comply with the trust and departmental policies and procedures for incident reporting.9. To ensure confidentiality at all times in accordance with Trust policy and procedure.