Job overview
The main purpose of the Lung 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 Lung 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 Lung 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.
Main duties of the job
SEE JD:
Contribute to the completion of the holistic needs assessment and development of an individual care plan under the direction of the Lung CNS.
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.
Ensure the person can self-manage and provide a flexible and personalised response to any changes in need.
To provide Level 1 psychological support to patients / carers, referring patients who require Level 2 support to the Lung CNS.
Provide 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.
Working for our organisation
Triage incoming calls, providing general advice to healthcare professionals and patients / carers and referring complex / specialist issues to the Lung CNS.
Provide general telephone advice and refer on or signpost to other sources of support as appropriate.
Assess ongoing needs of patients and monitor progress, liaising with the Lung CNS and other members of the healthcare team as appropriate to initiate a proactive prevention approach.
Coordinate the necessary assessments, appointments, investigations, and tests as identified in the patients care plan.
Support the Lung CNS in the coordination of care to facilitate safe and effective transition between services to provide seamless support for people affected by cancer.
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
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.
Act as the patient advocate and facilitator to resolve issues that may be perceived as barriers to care.
Evaluate outcomes of care delivery with the Lung team.
Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for further details
Person specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. GCSE Level 4 or above or equivalent including Mathematics & English.
2. Level 3 Health or Social care qualification (NVQ or similar).
3. ECDL or equivalent experience.
Desirable criteria
4. Evidence of continued role development.
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
5. Able to use own initiative and work without supervision.
6. Able to prioritise own work and work of others.
7. Possess excellent communication skills.
Desirable criteria
8. Good observation skills.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
9. Proficient in use of Microsoft word, Excel, PowerPoint, outlook, and internet.
10. Understanding of patient centred care.
11. Good documentation and written skills.
Desirable criteria
12. Relevant health or social care experience.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS
To comply with the Trust’s Safeguarding Children and Adults policies, procedures and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to:
13. Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
14. Ensure you are familiar and comply with the London Multi Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.
15. Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing.
16. Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.
17. Participate in required training and supervision.
18. Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct
Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.