An exciting opportunity has arisen to join The Christie Haematology satellite team based at Tameside Hospital as the Cancer Support Worker.
The post holder will work closely with the performance team to ensure patients on a Faster Diagnostic Standard (FDS) Pathway are seen efficiently and appropriate diagnostic investigations are booked swiftly. You will be involved with each step from referral to diagnosis and will be a point of contact for patients and will inform them of clinic and diagnostic appointments.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Clinical Nurse Specialist team and will take the lead on e-PROMS (electronic patient reported outcome measures) for MGUS and CLL patients.
Other clinical duties include venepuncture and venesection.
Excellent communication, the ability to prioritise work load and be a team player are essential skills for this role.
Closely monitor the Patient Tracking List (PTL) and have a comprehensive understanding of where each patient is up to on their pathway.
Ensure appropriate appointments are booked in a timely manner and escalate any that have long wait times.
Be the first point of contact for patients, their families and other healthcare professionals up to the point of diagnosis.
Promote patient centred care, following the e-PROMS framework.
Ability to cross cover phlebotomy and venesection service when necessary.
Communicate with MDT, healthcare professionals of all levels internally and externally.
Contribute to data collection and audit.
Complete referrals to community teams as directed by the Clinical Nurse Specialist Team.
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.
We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.
We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Closely monitor the Patient Tracking List (PTL) and have a good knowledge of which stage each patient is up to on their pathway.
Ensuring timeliness of investigations with appropriate follow up appointment based on clinical need as assessed by the haematology team.
Communicate with patients to arrange appointments with them for telephone assessment and triage with relevant clinical team.
Communicate with patients to ensure that they are well prepared for their clinical investigations, providing non-clinical information.
Be the first point of contact for patients, their relatives and Health Care Professionals up to the point of diagnosis, working closely with the relevant doctor and their team.
Ensure the patient understands their care pathway and is aware of appointments and any changes.
Attend MDT meetings, to represent patients who are on FDS pathways and taking any updates or actions agreed.
Communicating with other health care professionals as appropriate to ensure patients are on track to meet their target date.
Demonstrate an awareness of limits of own practice and knowledge and when to seek appropriate support / advice.
Contribute to the development and implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines related to own service needs.
Coordinates all administrative processes for each patient's pathway to ensure it is managed smoothly and within agreed time frames
Liaise and communicate with primary care centres as and when required.
Ensure appointments are coordinated according to MDT recommendations, minimising the number of patients hospitals visits as appropriate.
Highlight potential delays in investigation/diagnosis throughout patient pathway and escalate appropriately.
To monitor time intervals between tests/treatment, pre-empting and identifying bottlenecks or delays in the patients' pathways, escalating issues where necessary.
Monitor investigations and tests to ensure they have been completed and results/reports are available prior to appointments, consultations and MDT meetings with the clinical team.
Attending weekly local pathway meetings to discuss target patients with clinical teams to identify next steps and taking any potential actions to support the timeliness of patient pathways.
Completing pathway maps for each patient on a FDS (Faster Diagnosis 28 day pathway) in real time and reviewing breached patients with service management team.
Supporting service management team by identifying potential pathway improvements.
Process confidential patient-sensitive documentation to and from patients, other healthcare professionals and external agencies
Carry out all aspects of care as requested by the Haematology nursing team.
Promote patient centred care and establish good relationships with patients.
Identify and make contact with patients during their cancer journey, identifying required level of intervention under supervision of the Haematology Nursing Team.
The Haematology Cancer Support Worker will be expected to take on some nonclinical aspects of the patient management.
Triage incoming calls using good communication skills, adhering to strict protocols and policies which have been outlined and agreed with the clinical team.
Assist Haematology Nursing Team in relevant service audit and research
Assess and allocate timely and appropriate Haematology Nursing Team Survivorship follow up appointments as required
Order educational leaflets to support the Haematology Cancer Service;
Order supplies for nurse led clinics
Additional Requirements:
Follow risk management procedures at all times including the identification, assessment and management of risk within the Division.
To abide by all Trust policies and Procedures
To be responsible for own professional/personal development, including participating in ongoing appraisal and personal development planning.
This job description is not intended to be exhaustive but reflects the main responsibilities of the post holder. Other duties may be required from time to time, which are commensurate with the grade of the post. This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification.
