Macmillan Information & Support Service Assistant

Job overview

We now have a vacancy for a full time, Band 4, Macmillan Information & Support Service Assistant to work at The Royal Oldham Hospital.

You will assist the Macmillan Information & Support Service team in developing and delivering the service across the North East Sector of Manchester to improve cancer patient and carer experience and deliver high-quality, non-clinical cancer information and support to people affected by cancer, within the remit of the role.

You will actively engage in opportunities for internal and external learning and development to enhance the knowledge and skills required to be a Macmillan Information & Support Assistant.

• Provide comprehensive administrative and project support to the Service Manager, Deputy Manager, Coordinator and others if required.
• Meet with users of the service (e.g. patients/clients, carers, relatives and professionals) to support access to high quality information and support in relation to cancer. This will include assessment of service users’ information and support needs, provision of verbal and written information, supportive listening, action planning and signposting to available services and support.
• Provide supporting information, around topics such as reducing the risk of cancer, healthy living, diagnosis, treatment options, side effects and living with cancer, in the most appropriate format (e.g. written, verbal and others as appropriate).
• Where appropriate, liaise with relevant staff at all levels to address identified issues and/or seek advice on complex issues, directly involving others where necessary, e.g. Deputy Service Manager, Clinical Nurse Specialist etc. and ensuring that situations or enquiries requiring specialist intervention are referred appropriately and in a timely fashion.
• Ensure that cancer information & support material stock levels are maintained and implement stock control measures as appropriate.
• Help to co -ordinate, mentor and train volunteers providing support and supervision where necessary whilst balancing managing own workload within these demands.

Working for our organisation

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we’re always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire – to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk

Person specification

Qualifications

• GCSEs Grade C or above in Maths and English Language / New GCSE Grade 4-9 in Maths and English Language OR Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English or Equivalent
• Relevant IT training or equivalent experience

• Communication skills training

Knowledge

• Proven experience of supporting patients / carers, in a healthcare setting
• Demonstrate an excellent standard of written communication
• Experience of working / volunteering within an oncology / cancer care environment
• Excellent administrative, organisational & prioritisation skills
• Demonstrable IT skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint

• Experience of information provision within a relevant setting
• Experience of working with volunteers
• Knowledge of support services with local areas
• Knowledge of cancer, cancer treatments and cancer pathways

Skills / abilities

• Demonstrable communication / interpersonal skills
• Excellent IT skills including word processing, email, spreadsheets, databases and production of materials i.e., posters

• Accredited communication skills training

We understand the importance of balancing work and home life. We are committed to supporting flexible working for our people wherever possible and all our colleagues are given the opportunity to discuss potential for flexible working. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) serves a diverse population, and each Care Organisation works hard to ensure all services are accessible and fair.

We respect the value of difference. So, our aim is to employ a workforce representative of the communities we serve. Regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, trans status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, religion or belief, all are welcome.

As a Disability Confident Employer, guaranteed interviews are also available to disabled applicants when essential role requirements have been met.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process, please contact [email protected]

For posts advertised on a fixed term contract basis, we will offer secondments only for NHS appointments. Fixed term contracts will be only be offered for external non-NHS appointments.

In applying for this post, you give the Trust permission to use your data for recruitment purposes.

Please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any time should we receive sufficient applications or if it is filled via the internal redeployment process.

Keep up to date with the latest job opportunities and information across the Northern Care Alliance by following us on Twitter and Facebook: @NCACareersNHS