Lung Cancer Support Worker, Band 4

Lung Cancer Support Worker, Band 4

The closing date is 27 September 2026

Lung Cancer Support Worker, Band 4 (22.5 hours a week)

The postholder will be an integral part of the cancer team, who works under the supervision of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). The main purpose of the role is to support people to navigate the complex health and social care system during and/or following completion of cancer treatment. The post holder will coordinate care by delivering emotional and practical support to patients with a diagnosis of cancer. You will specifically lead in the delivery of Holistic Needs Assessment's which aim to identify and address patient’s concerns.

The post holder will be working across site.

The proposed interview date is 5th October

Main duties of the job

• To provide general information and support about 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.
• A key aspect of the role involves daily and direct (e.g., face-to-face, virtual and telephone) communication with patients, relatives, carers and other health and social care professionals. The information and nature of communication required is sensitive due to the nature of cancer. Communication in this context requires a high degree of empathy, understanding, diplomacy, honesty and integrity.
• To meet the challenge of supporting patients living with the consequences of a cancer diagnosis. Encompassing patients receiving curative and palliative treatments and supportive care.
• Establish a process of Holistic Needs Assessment. Undertaking patient assessments and formulating individual Care Plans to best suit patient needs and preferences.
• To support the CNS team by contributing to the redesign of care pathways for patients with cancer to improve quality and patient safety.

About us

We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.

With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one or both of our innovative hospitals.

As well as generous annual leave allowance, you will have access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Job responsibilities

• To undertake by negotiation, administrative tasks currently undertaken by the CNS team ie monitoring of databases, monitoring telephone helpline.
• Provide basic telephone advice and refer to / or signpost to other sources of support.
• Communicate and signpost to appropriate needs related information.
• To be actively involved in service development plans such as Prehab etc.
• Guide people using self-assessment resources.
• To strengthen the links with primary and secondary services and refer to multi-disciplinary team members as appropriate
• Be proactive and motivated; to be able to identify areas of potential future role development and demonstrate how this will contribute to an enhanced provision of patient care within the team.
• To undertake specific supervised and unsupervised work, organising and prioritising own caseload (within clearly defined boundaries).
• To directly support patients with non-complex needs, providing practical support and advice.
• To comply with Trust and Departmental policies and procedures e.g., Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Manual Handline, clinical equipment competency, risk management, Data Protection Acts and patient confidentiality at all times. This will include demonstrating compliance with the terms of all safeguarding policies and processes relevant to the safeguarding of adults and children in the care of GHNHSFT and undergoing regular mandatory training concerned with safeguarding matters.
• Support people to access appropriate information and support, by signposting to a range of support services and taking an approach which helps people self-manage where appropriate
• Advise patients on individual self-care management principles and review/further promote this information
• Encourage and support active and healthy lifestyle choices
• Planning/inviting/organising of health and well-being events or other supported self-management
• Carry out some administration duties required by the role
• Order supplies and equipment

1. Professional Development, Education and Training

• Demonstrate self-directed learning, actively seeking role development opportunities to enhance knowledge and role progression
• Identify personal education needs and skills development with the registered practitioner

2. Communications and Working Relationships

• To utilise verbal and nonverbal communication skills to effectively communicate with patients, their families and carers. This may include patients/carers who may or may not have barriers to communication e.g., language, through cognitive or physical impairment
• To co-ordinate 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 to empower patients and carers.
• To motivate patients to enroll in rehabilitation, where there may be reluctance or communication difficulties
• Comment on proposed changes to policies and procedures
• Support and contribute to audit processes and service development
• Make sure that people affected by cancer are aware that they are interacting with a healthcare professional and know about the full range of resources and services available
• Understand that there will be frequent exposure to distressing/highly distressing situations and when to seek appropriate support/advice
• Take an active part in team meetings and audits as required
• Support people to access appropriate information and support, by signposting to a range of support services and take an approach which helps people to self-manage where appropriate
• Encourage and support active and healthy lifestyle choices
• To form a link with all health and well-being events, referring patients as appropriate
• To encourage patients to enroll in prehab recommendations to optimise outcomes where appropriate
• Deliver patient-centered, self-management support and education as necessary to non-complex patients, including how to self-assess

3. Mental and Emotional Effort

• Make sure that people affected by cancer are aware that they are interacting with a healthcare professional and know about the full range of resources and services available
• Understand that there will be frequent exposure to distressing/highly distressing situations and when to seek appropriate support/advice
• Demonstrate an awareness of the limits of own practice and knowledge and when to seek appropriate support/advice
• To receive regular clinical supervision as required
• Demonstrate an awareness of the limits of own practice and knowledge and when to seek appropriate support/advice

4. Most Challenging Part of the Role

• Frequent exposure to emotional challenges when dealing with relatives and/or carers coping with uncertainty, loss of status/role, grief and physical change
• Frequent use of IT equipment, e.g., laptops
• Occasional exposure to aggressive or abusive patients or relatives
• To utilise the appropriate skills to communicate and assess patients being or having been treated for cancer or receiving supportive care.
• Assisting patients to contribute to the development of their own care plan, empowering them to make decisions at times where there may be anxiety and uncertainty.
• To encourage patients to enroll in prehab recommendations to optimise outcomes.
• To motivate patients to enroll in rehabilitation and other lifestyle changes, when there may be reluctance or communication difficulties.
• To provide high quality care in a fast paced, ever changing working environment within the resources available. To contribute to the delivery of Trust Targets and National cancer initiatives.
• To manage an unpredictable workload additional to a scheduled timetable.
• To manage own stresses and emotional wellbeing within an emotionally challenging cancer group

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

• Computer literate, use of Microsoft products
• Previous NHS experience in patient care
• Experience of multi professional working
• Able to use own initiative and work without supervision
• English and Math's GCSE (A- C grade or grade 5 or above)
• Relevant Health or social care experience at AFC band 3 or equivalent
• Experience of coordinating a patient workload
• Knowledge of cancer treatments/interventions

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£28,392 to £31,157 a year(pa, pro rata if part-time)

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