Macmillan Cancer Information & Support Assistant

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Professional

To assess the needs of individuals attending/contacting the service and to work with them to identify the support they require. Develop a wide understanding of cancer types, treatments and common side effects. As well as the impact that cancer treatment has on patients and their families to help deliver cancer information and support. Assist patients in completing Electronic Holistic Needs Assessments (eHNA’s) and develop subsequent care plans to address concerns. To provide non-clinical information on topics such as financial support, counselling, support services etc. This will be in a range of formats. To communicate effectively with clinical teams to ensure the highest standards of care. Deliver health education for non-complex patients in collaboration with established care providers such as Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cancer Information Manager and Recovery Package Manager, particularly focussing on signs and symptoms to look out for and late consequences of treatment. To complete referrals to a range of organisations and professionals, including cancer centres, social services, benefits advisors, social prescribers and counsellors. In appropriate cases, to plan and implement a package of follow-up support and information to the service user based on their needs. To create and update accurate and timely records of patient information using the Trust’s Electronic Patient Record System. Facilitate joined up support services, information and health education to create a seamless experience of care for patients To contribute to the development and maintenance of relationships with other departments and wards within the Trust and community. Understand that there will be some distressing situations and when to seek appropriate support/advice. To listen with empathy to distressed or angry patients or carers regarding sensitive matters, ensuring discretion and confidentiality. To provide general information and support about cancer and cancer services, to enable people to navigate the health and social care system and make choices. Act as advocate and facilitator to resolve issues that may be perceived as barriers to care. Provide rostered cover in the Cancer Information Hub in Williams Day Unit. Support patients and carers to understand what signs and symptoms or situation to be aware of that would indicate concern. Support patients and carers how to make contact when they feel their condition or needs have changed, including what to do out of hours. Encourage and support active and healthy lifestyle choices To demonstrate a willingness to identify their own learning and development needs and be willing to undertake further training and study in order to address these needs. Demonstrate an understanding of Macmillan Cancer Support and its role across the UK. Demonstrate an understanding of the elements included in Recovery Package/Personalised Care for people living with and beyond cancer. Duties and responsibilities To collate and record data based on service user interactions using relevant IT systems, PAHT clinical information systems,( Alex Health, Somerset), Microsoft office programmes (Outlook, Word, Excel etc) Case note Management, Macmillan MyCare Plan and 8 x 8 To conduct research into cancer related topics and community demographics that contribute to continuous service improvement, to ensure the service meets the needs of the whole community To contribute to the planning and organisation of events and displays outside the centre, helping to promote the service To keep the centre clean, tidy and ensure cancer information stands are kept up to date and well stocked both inside the centre and throughout the hospital including St. Margaret’s and Herts and Essex Hospitals. To order cancer information and resources for colleagues and teams where appropriate To encourage user involvement, engagement and feedback that supports the design and development of services To curate interesting and engaging content for the Trust and Macmillan’s communications departments that celebrate the work done within the centre and in the community To engage in Centre fundraising activities to support the objectives of Macmillan Cancer Support There will be a requirement for you to work across site at times To provide administrative support to the manager. To provide assistance with specific projects as required. To work flexibly in order to deliver the objectives of the service. The post holder will work within the Operational Policies for the Centre as a whole and for their post but will be expected to use their own initiative and judgement in dealing with enquiries. The post holder will ensure that situations or enquiries requiring specialist intervention are referred appropriately and in a timely fashion.

Management and Leadership

To deputise for the manager when required. To support with the recruitment and management of volunteers. To comply with health, safety and security measures and report any concerns to the manager. Carry out administration duties required by the role including filing, report writing, documenting decisions made, making up information packs, ordering supplies and equipment. Demonstrate effective communication with patients, carers, other Health Professionals and stakeholders Identify own personal education and role development needs and access Macmillan resources to address. Demonstrate self-directed learning, actively seeking role development opportunities to enhance practice, knowledge and role progression. Overcome barriers to effective communication. Adhere to clear role boundaries and expectations and when to seek support of signpost to more appropriate care provider. As this is a Macmillan Role, you will wear the Macmillan badge and use Macmillan resources to benefit patients Communications and relationships Macmillan Cancer Information Support Manager Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre Assistants in other trusts Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist Team Macmillan Recovery Package Manager Personalised Care Cancer Support Worker Patients, their carers’ and relatives Chemotherapy Nursing Team Other Personalised Care Cancer Support Workers Macmillan Head of Nursing for cancer Services Haematology and Oncology Multi-disciplinary teams (MDT) Patients, Families and other visitors Macmillan Essex and Hertfordshire Citizen Advice teams Community teams and voluntary organisations GP’s single point of access team and social prescribers Local Hospice care and support

General duties of all employees

To observe the provisions of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures. To actively participate in the appraisal process to identify personal development needs. To attend Trust statutory and mandatory training as required and any other training courses relevant to the post. All staff will be treated with respect by management, colleagues, patients and visitors and equally staff will treat management, colleagues, patients and visitors with the same level of respect. Staff will be supported to challenge any discriminatory behaviour that may be based on differences in race, disability, language, culture, religion, sexuality, age, gender or employment status. All employees are individually responsible for the prevention and control of infection within their own area. The employee must attend Infection Control Induction training and mandatory Infection control training. The employee must follow all Trust policies, procedures and guidelines relating to Infection Control. The duties contained in this job description are not intended to be exhaustive. The post holder must be flexible in the duties performed and it is expected that similar duties, not specifically listed above, will be carried out as required and may be cross site. Any such variation will be agreed in advance between the post holder and their manager as part of the continuing process of management review and development. This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and the manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure.