Job overview
The Cancer Services Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT) is looking for a MDT Pathway Facilitator to support the accurate and timely collection of Cancer Waiting Time (CWT) data in line with the CWT guidance.
To undertake this role you will need to have a positive and pro-active approach. You will need to be a reliable team player, be capable of using your initiative and have excellent communication skills as you will be liaising with people of all disciplines across this and other Trusts.
You will be responsible for tracking and progressing newly diagnosed cancer patients throughout their pathway. Previous experience of accurate collation and interpretation of data is an essential element to this role as efficient and timely data collection is paramount to meeting CWT targets.
In addition this role is pivotal in ensuring the safe and timely transfer of patients to and from the Luton and Dunstable Hospital for specialist surgery or treatments. The transition of these patients is complex and target driven requiring considerable organisational skills.
A flexible approach is essential as the times that MDT meetings are held can vary and the decisions made on the movement of patients within their respective pathways are variable.
Awareness of patient confidentiality is a pre-requisite at all times.
Main duties of the job
To support the accurate and timely collection of cancer waiting time (CWT) data in accordance with National Cancer Waiting Times Monitoring Dataset guidance and to report at weekly PTL meetings.
To accurately track and record all cancer patient pathway details from referral to discharge, ensuring cancer treatment waiting targets are met. To proactively manage cancer pathways for individual cancer patients, ensuring details of patients whose pathway is likely to exceed the cancer treatment targets are escalated accordingly.
To ensure patients where pathways are delayed are reported in accordance to local procedures within sufficient time to implement appropriate actions which will, wherever possible and clinically appropriate, prevent treatment occurring beyond the target timescale.
To ensure clinical teams understand and apply national data definitions and to support a safe and timely transfer of patients following the agreed cancer pathways between L&D and Tertiary Providers for those requiring specialist surgery or treatment e.g. radiotherapy. To develop and maintain the process of data collection for National Database Submission in conjunction with MDT Clinical Teams.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with the job requirements.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. To be highly organised and well-motivated with a logical approach to work to be undertaken in accordance with training and local protocols.
2. To develop close working relationships and effective communication links with clinical teams, utilising negotiation skills as and when required.
3. To ensure that all CWT, MDT outcome and treatment transfer proforma’s are completed accurately and in full, relevant data is recorded on Infoflex within the necessary timeframes, and that both tertiary and clinical proformas are actioned within set time frames.
4. To fully utilise all Hospital systems & third party reports to obtain/verify relevant patient information.
5. To ensure Infoflex is accurately updated with new patient information immediately that new information becomes available.
6. To track all potential or confirmed cancer patients on a daily basis in accordance with treatment target dates.
7. To record all pathway data on Infoflex as and when identified through tracking via all referral routes: Routine, 62 & 31 Day cancer pathways.
8. To liaise with General Managers and Departmental Heads and agree action to be taken on each patient pathway; to ensure actions are followed through within appropriate timescales.
9. To bring to the attention of the Cancer Services Performance Officer any potential CWT breaches, or pathway delays, as soon as these are identified, in accordance with breach protocols.
10. To ensure all CWT processes/protocols are implemented and actioned within the necessary timeframes in order to avoid CWT breaches.
11. To prepare and present actions required in respect of current patient pathways at weekly Cancer PTL Meetings.
12. To provide coordination of data and logistical arrangements relating to patients transferred into and out of Luton & Dunstable Hospital in respect of specialist surgery. This is to be in accordance with the Improving Outcomes Guidance (IOG) referral processes - ensuring the patients’ pathway is protected by providing secure, timely, thorough and appropriate transfer arrangements in accordance with cancer plan targets.
13. Maintaining adherence to the agreed patient tracking process; service agreements and local MDT protocols and providing timely escalation and regular communication with tertiary sites in respect of shared pathways and in particular with regard to potential breaches to (CWT) standards.
14. Ensuring that all relevant data, imaging and pathology reports are transferred to the appropriate treating hospital within the timescale specified by the locally agreed Inter-trust referral protocol, or agreed with the Network Cancer Group(s).
15. Providing effective and efficient communications with all internal and external services and referring Trusts.
16. To develop and maintain a strict, accurate data collection process with clinical teams for the submission of National Database information in accordance with annual deadlines.
17. To develop and maintain efficient working knowledge of video conferencing equipment to effectively support MDT Meetings.
18. To ensure that telephone calls are dealt with promptly and appropriately in a professional and efficient manner.
19. To ensure appropriate administrative rights are maintained with all hospital systems to fully support timely communications.
20. To maintain and develop personal skills through participation in continuing education and full utilisation and operational understanding of hospital systems in order to track patient pathways and ensure accurate and timely data collection.
21. To attend Network training events as appropriate.
22. To maintain and develop effective and supportive relationships within the department, the Trust, and with outside agencies.
23. Work to reporting deadlines and inform line managers in advance of potential problems.
24. Evaluate and contribute to the development of this role, and the role of Cancer MDT Coordinator.
25. To handle sensitive or contentious information appropriately, using tact, diplomacy and persuasive skills as required to achieve best outcome.
26. Collate data and produce reports under the direction of the management team.
27. To provide cover as and when required to support MDT meetings.
28. To offer guidance and support to the MDT Support Coordinator.
29. To support training and development where appropriate and necessary.
30. To undertake any other relevant duties as requested by the MDT Team Lead, Cancer Performance Lead and the General Manager (Cancer Services) and to cover during periods of planned leave.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
31. •English, Maths, and Biology or Science GCSE Grade C or above • NVQ3 or equivalent level in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access • Competent to a high level using Microsoft Office packages • Working knowledge of iPM/PAS or similar type database
Desirable criteria
32. •Customer service or business administration qualification • Previous experience managing patient pathways
Experience
Essential criteria
33. Demonstrates having met deadlines involving high volumes of data within strict/tight timeframes • Proven use of Microsoft Office packages [or equivalent] • Previous experience of working in a health care environment or with health care professionals • Experience of working as part of a busy multi-disciplinary team • Experience of data entry • Understanding complex & sensitive information
Desirable criteria
34. Experience of working in the NHS
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
35. Understanding of the need of confidentiality awareness at all times • Computer literacy and numeracy • Understanding of the importance of working to deadlines • Understanding of the importance of accuracy in a data collection environment • Knowledge of the cancer waiting time performance standards and guidelines • Knowledge of an office environment