Overview
Job summary
This is a newly created post supported by Macmillan to ensure the success of the brand-new Macmillan Cancer Support Centre currently under construction at Stepping Hill Hospital, formally opening in Spring 2026. This is an exciting opportunity to develop and lead a comprehensive cancer supportive service providing this much needed provision for service users across the organisation and the local community.
Using expert knowledge and initiative, you will be influential in the initial set up and onwards management of the service to ensure the development of a modern and innovative service provision, leading the development of a long-term strategy for the management and delivery of the service.
You will lead and manage the support centre staff and volunteers, while taking a lead role in the delivery of the Cancer Personalised Care agenda for the Trust, supporting training and management across the cancer care coordinator workforce.
Using expert knowledge, initiative and service development skills, you will be responsible for developing specialist cancer information provision in line with national strategic objectives and in collaboration with Macmillan Cancer Services.
We are looking for an experienced leader with excellent advanced communications skills who has a strong interest in supporting patients with cancer with a clinical or non-clinical background.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Management
Provide professional and managerial leadership for the Macmillan Cancer Support Service.
Line manage and supervise the Assistant Manager, Cancer Care Coordinators, and volunteers, ensuring staff development, appraisal, and supervision in line with Trust and Macmillan frameworks.
Manage sickness/absence, performance and professional development in accordance with Trust policy.
Lead on service budgets, charitable donations and resources, ensuring financial accountability and audit compliance.
Develop and maintain effective quality management systems, including service monitoring, complaints, and feedback processes.
Contribute to strategic planning and policy development related to cancer support services.
Identify and address gaps in service provision, ensuring equity of access and culturally competent support for diverse and disadvantaged groups.
Contribute to Trust cancer objectives, Macmillan priorities and national cancer initiatives, ensuring alignment with personalised care agendas.
Represent the service locally, regionally and nationally, promoting partnership working across the GM Cancer footprint.
Work collaboratively and in partnership with other health care professionals, offering appropriate leadership, guidance and supervision to colleagues.
Evaluate existing services, identifying, and leading on quality improvement and encouraging team working, innovation and development in practice.
Specialist Practice
Demonstrate expert practice in assessing the complex information and support needs of people affected by cancer.
Provide and oversee the delivery of appropriate interventions (e.g. support groups, survivorship workshops, onward referrals).
Communicate complex and sensitive information with compassion, supporting patients and carers in distressing circumstances.
Provide practical and emotional support/advice for service users, giving them the opportunity to acknowledge and express their concerns in a safe environment.
Act as an advocate to empower service users to make informed choices about their care and support.
Promote patient / user participation in the development of the service and facilitate forums / attend meetings to increase this participation.
Work proactively to ensure equity of access to cancer information and support services with particular reference to diversity and potentially disadvantaged groups.
Education & Training
Lead the training and development of the Assistant Manager, Cancer Care Coordinators and volunteers, in line with the ACCEND framework.
Deliver and contribute to internal and external educational events.
Maintain and promote own professional development and that of the team, ensuring up-to-date knowledge of cancer and palliative care developments.
Collaborate with education providers to raise awareness of cancer information and support services.
Contribute to health promotion and provide relevant information/support materials across the Trust and within the local community using opportunities for internal pop up events and outreach in the community.
Audit, Quality & Research
Lead on service audit, evaluation and reporting, including quarterly activity reports and annual service reports.
Contribute to Trust quality assurance reviews, the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, and national reporting processes.
Encourage and support staff to engage in quality improvement and service development projects.
Promote innovation and share best practice through publication and presentation at local, regional, and national forums.
Professional
Meet and welcome service users, be proactive in establishing positive and professional communication with the public.
Uphold Trust professional standards and values acting as a role model to peers and colleagues.
Ensure compliance with legal, ethical and professional standards including safeguarding, confidentiality, GDPR and health & safety.
Participate in mandatory training and appraisal as per Trust policy.
Support Trust-wide quality improvement approaches, promoting a culture of learning and service improvement.
Adhere to Trust and departmental policies and procedures and actively contribute and participate in the Trusts clinical governance agenda.
Maintain relevant professional registration.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trusts policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.
If successful this vacancy will require a Standard DBS check at a cost of £26.90. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary
In addition to this it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £16.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education & Qualifications
* Registered Nurse/Allied Health Professional or equivalent professional registration
* Specialist training/experience in cancer care
* Educated to degree level
* Masters level study, or willingness to work towards
* Evidence of continuing professional development
Knowledge
* In-depth knowledge of cancer information and support needs
* Knowledge of the national cancer agenda and local priorities
Experience
* Significant experience of managing a team/service
* Experience working directly with people affected by cancer
* Experience of working with volunteers and the public
Skills and Abilities
* Strong leadership, negotiation and influencing skills
* Ability to prioritise and manage own and others\' workload
* Ability to gather, analyse and report data
* Excellent oral and written communication, including complex and sensitive information
Desirable
* Advanced communication skills training
* Teaching or mentorship qualification
* Accredited qualification in counselling/complementary/creative therapies
Other Information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A DBS submission will be required.
Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information, consult the UK Visas and Immigration website. Guidance on overseas criminal records checks is available.
UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer details: Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stepping Hill, Stockport SK2 7JE.
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