Research Facilitator

Job overview

The overarching aim of the Macmillan support worker role is to assist in improving cancer patient experience. This will be achieved through supporting personalised care and ensuring patient needs can be met, from diagnosis, throughout the cancer pathway, allowing them to live life as fully as possible.

The Band 4 Macmillan Cancer Support Worker demonstrates a level of skill and understanding which enables them to undertake specific tasks delegated by the team lead and in accordance with relevant procedures, guidelines and policies. They will undertake both routine and specially identified tasks for which they have been trained and assessed as competent.

The service currently operates as a central team, based in a call centre on
Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, virtually supporting our Clinical Nurses Specialists (CNS)s with non-complex calls and needs, allowing the CNS’ to focus their expertise on managing more complex clinical care.

The role is a cross-site position, supporting teams at the Denmark Hill site, as well as the Princess Royal University Hospital site, and the successful candidate will be expected to travel to and work from both sites as required

Main duties of the job

The main responsibilities for this post are:

• Provide cover to the cancer support workers call centre service, triage incoming calls and respond to patient queries in a professional and efficient manner, signposting to appropriate services using agreed triage processes and following the standard operating policy for escalation of clinical issues.
• Update and recording information on the Trust electronic patient record system (EPIC) in accordance with the agreed process
• Set up Electronic Health Needs Assessments (eHNAs) and complete checklist with patients, book appointments for completion of care plan with cancer CNS. This will involve telephone consultations with patients depending on the setting
• Support patient engagement events and real time patient survey capture

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Core elements of support worker role

1. Co-ordinate care by providing a single point of access, including rapid re-entry into the system for those patients identified as having urgent or specialist needs

A key aspect of the role involves daily and direct communication with patients, relatives, carers, and other health and social care professionals by telephone. The information and nature of the communication required is sensitive due to the nature of healthcare. Communication in this context requires a high degree of empathy, understanding, diplomacy, honesty and integrity, excellent listening and responding skills.

2. Co-ordinate care for patients with non-complex care needs

The role requires use of judgment in responding to the needs of individuals. The level of judgement required relates to identifying the complexity of the situation, providing appropriate advice and escalating to the CNS where appropriate, using the agreed triage tools.

3. Co-ordinate education and support for people with non-complex care needs

To coordinate access to the right information and education resources to support people in making decisions about aspects of their own care, enable independence and support self management as appropriate. Develop a partnership approach to working in order to empower the patient and carers. To provide information and support to enable cancer patients and their carers to enable them to navigate the health and social care system.

4. Navigation of Cancer Pathway

The post holder will support the coordination of care for cancer patients through their cancer pathway. This role will be focussed on providing general information and support about cancer and cancer services, to enable people to navigate the health and social care system and make choices that are best for their cancer and their life before, during and after treatment.

A detailed job description and person specification is attached to this advert.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• GCSE English language and Mathematics (grades A-C) or equivalent
• Care certificate (QCF3) or equivalent professional experience

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of some formal further training and continued professional developmen

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Previous NHS experience or other comparable care setting involving patient interaction (telephone)
• Proven administrative experience
• Good standard of written and spoken English

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working with cancer patients and their families
• Familiarity with the EPIC patient record system and other IT systems used at the Trust

Skills and Competencies

Essential criteria

• Excellent communication skills, with ability to show empathy and understand the difficulties faced by people affected by cancer
• Ability to prioritise own workload, use own initiative and demonstrate practical problem solving skills
• Ability to deal with challenging service users and difficult or complex situations
• Ability to work within a team and working flexibly to meet the needs of the service
• Strong IT skills and experience using of MS packages, including Outlook and Excel

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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