Job overview
The role of a Radiotherapy Support Worker is to primarily support the patients and the radiographers within the radiotherapy department. It is a diverse role, with clinical and clerical aspects to the role. A few examples of what you will be expected to do include chaperoning patients, participating in the phlebotomy service taking bloods, recording patient’s observations.
The post holder will be required to work closely with the team of highly skilled professionals to facilitate the smooth running of the department. They will be required to provide a high standard of administrative and clinical support to all patients and staff within the radiotherapy department. This role requires the post holder to be able to work in many different areas, communicating with a wide range of people and liaising with the multi-disciplinary team. The post holder requires limited clinical knowledge of routine radiotherapy treatment procedures.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work between all radiotherapy related areas to support radiographers in administrative tasks, manual handling, to provide basic patient related clinical tasks and reception duties (when required), as identified below. This will be done under the supervision of Senior Radiographers.
The post holder is expected to work within established routines, but with a level of autonomy to deal appropriately with unexpected situations by using their own initiative and being accountable for their own actions.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. Applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role (Band 3 HCA within the NHS) to meet the salary requirements to qualify for sponsorship.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
¨Take personal responsibility for ensuring that patients are treated with courtesy at all times, their individual needs are respected, and confidentiality is maintained at all times.
¨Welcome patients and visitors to the ward or department, directing specific enquiries to the radiotherapy team.
¨Ensure that the radiotherapy environment is neat, tidy and welcoming for patients and visitors.
¨Be familiar with the record and verification system bookings module in order to print daily location lists and patient’s individual lists.
¨Ensure that all treatment sheets and individual patient related equipment are in the appropriate location for treatment on a daily basis.
¨Prepare and place end of treatment patient information in the treatment sheets at the appropriate time.
¨Prepare pre-treatment documentation
¨Monitor levels of routinely used proforma and photocopy in a timely manner.
¨Use spatial awareness and manual dexterity in the precise and safe manipulation of manual handling equipment in line with manual handling directives.
¨To be able to safely off load a patient from a CT couch at the end of their intervention, to assist the patient off the bed and offer assistance where necessary without direct supervision
¨Be able to cannulate patients or be willing to undergo training in order to perform this duty.
¨To assist the brachytherapy team with the movement of patients and/or equipment around the hospital site if necessary.
¨Arranging for the transport of in-patients to and from the ward and treatment units.
¨Where required ensure patients are correctly identified in accordance with trust and department policy.
¨To receive and respond to telephone calls from patient / carers in a timely and appropriate manner
¨To assist in locating notes / treatment sheets for the radiotherapy units, ensuring all case note movement are recorded on the case note tracking system and check that no case notes are left on the treatment unit at the end of the day.
¨Assist with patients in their personal preparation for pre-treatment and radiotherapy treatment.
¨Participate in the late shift rota being responsible for the security of the department by locking up and arranging patients’ transfer home via hospital transport.
¨To ensure all patients who attend for radiotherapy have been swabbed for MRSA, in line with the trust policy and for those who haven’t, complete the swabbing process and complete department documentation as appropriate
¨To act on any positive MRSA results as required
¨Arrange for patient’s blood / urine samples to be obtained, ensure they reach the appropriate department in a timely fashion for analysis and ensure results are made available to the Radiographers
¨To be able to look up results and information using the appropriate electronic hospital system
¨To learn and identify, through training provided by the department, the importance of certain results and the actions that are required to be taken, such as the professional to be informed.
¨Co-ordinate the collection of prescriptions for patients from the pharmacy
¨To be able to care for patients requiring help to go to the toilet.
¨Ensuring care is documented accurately and in a timely manner under supervision according to Trust policy
¨To help serve tea and coffee to patients during those times of machine breakdowns and late running and help those patients who require refreshments in the department but have limited mobility
¨Escort patients to other wards and departments as required.
¨To have a full understanding of the patient’s optimum level of mobility and to assist with the movement of patients through different care settings within the hospital.
¨Act as patients’ chaperone for medical examinations in clinics where necessary.
¨Assist patients with dressing and undressing, maintaining the dignity and privacy of the patient at all times and with respect for culture and religious needs.
¨To ensure the gowns used by the patients to maintain dignity are laundered and accounted for.
¨To undertake housekeeping tasks such as cleaning, tidying and disposal of waste and dirty linen in accordance with Trust policy and to actively promote cleanliness and safety in the clinical area.
¨Monitor stock levels for routine supplies and consumables for the RT department and re-order as necessary, communicating this information to the Senior Radiographer.
¨Be actively involved in delivering a high standard of individualised holistic patient care to promote and maintain all aspects of his or her physical, social, cultural and psychological wellbeing.
¨Ensure that security in the work environment is maintained by locking doors, challenging unknown persons who enter the work area and by wearing the trust identity badge at all times whilst at work.
¨Attend the monthly radiographer staff meetings
¨Take and document minutes of meetings as requested by senior radiographers.
¨Collect data for department audits and reports.
¨Input data into the assessment module of the record and verify system as required by the review radiographers, for preparation of and post clinic sessions. Under the supervision of the review radiographers.
¨To help with the administrative tasks associated with the up keep of the quality system in use in the department under the supervision of the QA manager.
¨The post holder will also assist the Governance and Risk team for the management of all data and information required for both internal and external reviews
¨To help with RT research administrative tasks as required by the senior research radiographer.
¨Work potential shifts, between 8am - 8pm and occasionally Saturdays and Bank Holidays as required.
¨To work in all areas of the radiotherapy service including any satellite centres
Person specification
Qualifications / Experience
Essential criteria
1. Working in a care setting with direct patient care experience
2. Computer literate with general IT skills
3. GCSE or equivalent grade A-C in Maths and English
Desirable criteria
4. Experience of work in NHS
5. Experience of work in Radiotherapy
6. GCSE or equivalent grade A-C in a science-based subject
7. A-level or equivalent
8. Be able to cannulate patients or be willing to undergo training to perform this duty
9. At least 1 year of previous experience of working within a healthcare setting.
10. Previous experience of taking minutes at meetings
11. To have a basic understanding of radiotherapy
12. Previous experience of working in a team and ability to prioritise own work
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
13. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
14. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications