Role Summary
Are you looking for a new and exciting role within cancer care? Are you passionate about supporting patients with cancer and providing them with the best possible advice and support during their hospital admission? If you answer yes to either of these questions, this could be the role for you.
The Acute Oncology Support Worker provides non-clinical, holistic support to cancer patients across hospital wards and clinical support for patients in the oncology Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit. The role focuses on addressing patients’ emotional, practical, and social needs through the completion of Holistic Needs Assessments, enabling the development of personalised care plans. The post holder will also signpost patients to appropriate support services to enhance wellbeing, promote independence, and help reduce the risk of hospital readmission.
The role sits within the Acute Oncology Service and offers the opportunity to work closely with patients experiencing complications related to cancer or its treatment, gaining valuable insight into their care journey. The post holder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure patients receive coordinated, patient-centred support throughout their inpatient stay and discharge planning process.
About the Role
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role
A key aspect of the role is facilitating Holistic Needs Assessments (HNA) to identify individual patient concerns and priorities. Using this information, the post holder will support the development of personalised care and support plans, ensuring patients are actively involved in decisions about their care and future needs.
The post holder will work closely with the Acute Oncology Team and wider multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated, patient-centred care. They will provide information, reassurance, and practical support to patients and their families, helping them to navigate services and access appropriate support. This includes signposting and referring to community services, voluntary organisations, financial advice, psychological support, and other relevant resources to promote wellbeing and independence.
The role also supports safe and timely discharge planning, helping to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and readmissions by ensuring patients have appropriate support in place on leaving hospital. The post holder will contribute to improving patient experience by advocating for patient needs, recognising concerns early, and escalating issues appropriately to clinical teams.
In addition, the post holder will work alongside the Acute Oncology team providing telephone triage and supportive clinical assistance to patients who attend the Oncology SDEC for review.
Strong communication, empathy, and organisational skills are essential, alongside the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment and manage a varied caseload effectively.
Working hours per week. Monday - Sunday 8 am - 6 pm. (Including Bank Holidays).
Interview Date: To be confirmed
For further information please contact: Pippa Solomon Lead Acute Oncology ACP or Naomi Clatworthy AO Nurse Consultant on. This is an internal vacancy for Royal Devon employees, therefore Bank workers are currently not eligible to apply for this vacancy.
As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
About Us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over, staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than, people, cover more than 2, square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more
It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Benefits
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to days plus bank holidays.
You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:
1. National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
2. Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
3. Car lease schemes.
4. The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
5. Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.