Cancer Information Team Lead
Guy’s and St Thomas’ is among the UK’s busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services.
Guy’s is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup.St Thomas’ has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it.Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions.
Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients.
In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research.
We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of King’s Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with King’s College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities including an MHRA accredited Phase I clinical trials unit.
Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of ‘good’.Our adult community services achieved a rating of ‘outstanding’.
The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS.We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients.
We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS.
Job overview
The lead role for information services at Dimbleby Cancer Care, Guy’s Cancer, is an exciting opportunity for someone who is proactive, focused and responsive. The Cancer Information Team Lead will provide leadership for the Dimbleby Cancer Information team.You will be a qualified professional AHP or nurse. You will form part of and work closely with the lead group (respective team leads for POST, Complementary Therapy, Administration Team and Service Manager and Clinical Lead) at Dimbleby to collaborate and make key decisions for the service team to facilitate opportunities for developing a highly motivated and specialist cancer information service.
As part of the Dimbleby Leads team, visible leadership is key in this role. The post holder is expected to act autonomously and lead on innovation to optimise the clinical information resource for patients, carers and health care professionals with regard to support for those affected by cancer.
The role forms part of personalised care initiatives and delivery.
Main duties of the job
The Cancer Information Team Lead is an integral and autonomous role within Dimbleby with a key focus on co-ordination of pathways to facilitate best utilisation of our resources as a whole, particularly with managing practical/social issues.It also signposts and co-ordinates with wider cancer service offers. It includes one to one and group-based patient support and delivery of staff and patient level 2 (NICE Guidance 2004) initiatives, e.g. being part of teaching sessions, groups or workshops for patients, carers and staff and building on recent developments within Dimbleby.
You will manage and supervise a cancer information support worker to deliver key parts of their role. With an opportunity to develop the team and service.
The post holder will need to have a solid understanding of cancer care, and personalised care, and be able to manage patient queries through a drop-in, phone and email service. They will have a good knowledge of support services available to cancer patients, and personalised care both within Dimbleby, GSTT and outside the Trust.The role is based at Guy’s Cancer Centre and at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup.
Working for our organisation
Dimbleby Cancer Care is a dedicated information and support service based at Guy’s Cancer Centre, London and at Guy’s Cancer at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup. We provide a range of support for patients and significant others, including:
- Cancer Information,
- Psychological Support,
- Benefits advice
- Complementary Therapies
The service operates Monday to Friday. As well as, direct clinical work, we provide staff training, supervision, and support to ensure high-quality, compassionate service delivery.
Operating Monday to Friday, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and responsive environment for patients, their loved ones, and our staff.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Information lead focus
§ Co-ordinate the smooth running of the drop-in information service across Guy’s and Queen Mary’s Hospital sites.
§ Provide specialist advice and/or information from appropriate and up to date resources.
§ Identify and best meet the needs of walk-in patients, e.g. referrals to signpost and/or refer to other Health Care Professionals (HCPs)/organisations when necessary.
§ Work closely with the welfare and benefits team lead
§ Create effective relationships with administrative staff at Dimbleby.
§ Work collaboratively with the Personalised Care Lead in cancer to support the referrals, screening and delivery of the HOPE end of treatment course.
§ Work with Psychology support Team (POST) and Complementary Therapy (CT) leads within Dimbleby to develop new ways of responding to and supporting referrals into the service
§ Join a service project with POST and CT clinicians to develop a group-based approach to better meet the needs of those recently diagnosed with cancer.
§ Liaise with HCPs, medical teams, clinical nurse specialists
§ Keep up to date with advances in oncology and haematology, treatment options and potential side effects.
§ Keep up to date and develop links with supportive services in the local community to improve access to information and support services for diverse service users.
§ Compile service/service user reports as required.
§ To act as ‘Health Content’ lead for cancer information.
§ Attend Cancer Information team and Dimbleby Cancer Care meetings at Guy’s and relevant meetings at Guy’s Cancer at Queen Mary’s Hospital.
§ Act as a role model, demonstrating high standards of care and providing clinical leadership in the specialist area.
§ Create a clear plan and focus for the information support worker role.
Education, teaching, workshops and training- Attend, develop and present at cancer information events and educational programmes run by specific tumour groups
- Develop workshops based on current initiatives happening within Dimbleby and alongside colleagues.
- Supported to keep up to date with own professional requirements, which will depend on the person’s professional background.
- Deliver initiatives related to personalised care
- Build on level 2 psychological skills approaches to cancer care
Research and Development
§ Lead on audit, service evaluation and research to help develop and showcase the service with a focus on patient experience and evaluation.
§ Share findings of audit and service evaluations to wider audiences.
§ Create links with colleagues within Guy’s cancer to support and create research and innovation within the professional role of the post holder.
Management, Leadership and Service Development
§ Provide compassionate leadership and management support to facilitate the development of the Cancer Information team
§ Lead on a project to explore how the information service can be best used and serve people with cancer, significant others, including staff
§ Work in collaboration with the Dimbleby Leads team on service-wide initiatives.
§ Be centrally involved with patient inclusion and experience initiatives within Dimbleby.
§ Present to senior managers at regular performance review meetings the work, activity and areas of development of the information team.
§ Develop the role according to patients’ changing needs and research findings within the resources available.
§ Work with the Cancer Information team, wider Dimbleby Cancer Care service and key partners within the trust to plan and deliver workshops and group support
§ Maintain accurate records and ensure that confidentiality of information is adhered to.
§ Organise own work and manage own caseload and practice, identifying and maintaining supportive networks for self and other staff members.
§ Implement new initiatives where possible to run a cost effective, timely service.
§ Develop policies and protocols in support of the specialist service.
§ Implement and work within the Trust’s HR policies on all staffing matters, including sickness, capability and disciplinary issues. Take corrective measures if indicated in liaison with Human Resources.
§ Develop clear job plans for the support worker role and focus of this role.
§ Adhere to Trust and departmental policies and procedures, ensuring that all staff do the same.
§ Organise team meetings at an appropriate frequency, recording and circulating minutes of these to ensure a good method of communication within the department at all times and to encourage the exchange and implementation of new ideas and evidence-based practice.
§ Establish, develop and maintain effective working relationships between clinicians, practitioners and managers within the specialty, across the Trust and in the community.
§ Build on networking with stakeholders/external charities.
§ Maintaining the highest possible standard for Macmillan Quality Environment Mark (MQUEM) external accreditation.
General
§ Act in accordance with the professional practice code of conduct according to professional role (Nursing & Midwifery Council Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice / Allied Health Professional code of conduct, as well as HCPC) and be accountable for their actions at all times.
§ Maintain up-to-date records. Ensuring that confidentiality is respected and that the standards for “Record Keeping” are met.
§ Ensure maintenance of clinical competence in line with professional revalidation needs.
Person specification
Professional/Statutory Registration
Essential criteria- Nurse: RN1 on the NMC register. AHP: HCPC Registration, and other relevant qualification
Qualifications/Education
Essential criteria- Allied Health Professional OR Registered Nurse BSc/1st degree
- Your professional knowledge acquired at degree level will be supplemented by specialist training, experience and short courses to Masters level equivalent.
- Post registration qualification in appropriate area of speciality or equivalent post qualification experience.
- Leadership Course or demonstrate previous team leadership experience
- To have or working towards a MSc
- Mentorship
Previous experience
Essential criteria- Extensive experience of working autonomously within cancer services delivering effective patient focused care.
- Evidence of management and leadership of colleagues.
- Developing patient experience initiatives
- Developing audit, research & service evaluation.
- Experience of working with significant others, e.g. family, partners, of people with cancer
- Experience of working with an ethnically rich and diverse patient group
- Experience of working in an information and support setting
- Knowledge of support services and/or benefits
- Experience of working with vulnerable and excluded groups
- Experience in including patients in service delivery
- Experience of working with community and primary care professionals in cancer
Skills/Knowledge/Ability
Essential criteria- Previous experience of managing, leading and developing staff
- Understanding of personalised care delivery and focus within cancer services
- Clinical, managerial and leadership skills.
- Active listening / counselling skills with the ability to manage complex situations and conversations.
- Evidence of teaching to staff and patients, and facilitating a group space.
- Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues
- Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal & communication skills
- Time management and organisation skills
- Ability to conduct & evaluate own projects successfully
- Knowledge of current clinical issues in cancer effecting patient experience and outcomes
- Ability to design and carry out audit and research
- Good IT Skills
- Ability to delegate to others
- Knowledge of safeguarding concerns and ability to respond to these in an informed and sensitive manner
- Ability to compassionately lead and influence staff
- Confidence in asserting self in a leadership group, senior meetings, and with staff you oversee and manage
- Ability to be aware of ones’ own needs to develop and grow in the role
- Ability to deliver holistic needs assessments when required
- Ability to interpret and analyse complex data and findings
- Undertaken research
- Attended Level 2 psychological skills training in cancer training and Level 2 supervision group
- Understanding and managing suicide risk in a compassionate and professional manner
Additional information
Essential criteria- Able to work with a great degree of flexibility and adaptability
- Ability to work at Queen Mary’s Hospital and Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals
- Self-motivated, proactive and a team player
- Flexible and positive approach to work
- Creative, lateral thinker
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends.
Flexible working
We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking in to account the individual’s personal circumstances as well the needs of the service.We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the on-boarding process.
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