Head and Neck Support Worker

To support the registered nurse in tracking and coordinating the patients pathway from the point of diagnosis.
Responsible for the development of information packs to support the informational needs of those affected by Head & Neck cancer.
Responsible for the administrative aspects of the Macmillan Head & Neck Nurse Specialist service.
Responsible for developing and maintaining the documentation to support the smooth running of the service., Supporting Patient Excellence
Contribute to the Holistic Needs Assessment and care planning of patients under the direction of the registered nurse.
Implement, monitor, and review aspects of the care plan with the patient/carer reporting any changes in the patient's condition to the registered nurse.
To triage telephone calls, providing general information, help and support to patients/carers and healthcare professionals, referring complex/specialist issues to the registered nurse., Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals., To identify and address patient/carer general informational needs, sign posting to other services as appropriate .
To review patients on the ward and in the outpatient setting under the direction of the registered nurse.
Liaise with the MDT coordinator and other healthcare professionals to ensure a seamless service for patients and a smooth transition through the patient pathway.
To make pre planned outbound telephone calls to patients to assess their on-going needs, providing a proactive approach to care.
Support the registered nurse in the coordinate of care to facilitate safe and effective discharge.
Identify changes in patients condition/needs, escalating concerns to the registered nurse.
Coordinate appointments or investigations to fast track patients through the system.
Advise patients on individual general self-management strategies as appropriate, including how to self-assess.
Encourage and support healthy life style choices.
To provide Level 1 psychological support to patients/carers, referring patients with specialist needs to the registered nurse.
Demonstrate the ability to recognise and respond appropriately when faced with patient sudden deterioration or an emergency situation, alerting the registered nurse, enabling rapid response as appropriate.
To support the registered nurse in responding to EAU alerts for patients admitted as an emergency.
Professional Responsibilities
Able to document information in a legible, accurate, and professional manner in the hospital notes and on the Somerset Cancer Database.
Demonstrate an awareness of the limits of own knowledge and practice and when to seek appropriate support/advice.
To develop an effective working relationships with the Head & Neck MDT and other professionals across the Trust and within different boundaries of care.
To adhere to local and national directives related to cancer care.
To be a flexible member of the team, able to respond to the changing needs of cancer patients and the service.
Understand that there will be frequent exposure to distressing situations and when to seek appropriate support/advice.
Make sure that people affected by cancer are aware that they are interacting with a Macmillan Professional and know the full range of resources and services available through Macmillan.
Quality Assurance and Monitoring
To record nursing interventions on the Somerset data base.
To record data to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Macmillan Head & Neck Cancer service.
To assist the Macmillan Head & Neck Cancer CNS in the development of an Annual Report for Macmillan Cancer Support and the Trust.
Participate in Macmillan Service Reviews in order to drive service improvements.
Policy and Service Development Responsibilities
To participate in the self-declaration against national standards related to Head & Neck cancer and external Peer Review visits.
Support the implementation of the Cancer Recovery Package.
To support the Macmillan Head & Neck Cancer CNS in the development of policies/clinical guidelines to enhance the nursing service.
To participate in informal/formal education initiatives related to Head & Neck cancer.
Research and Development Responsibilities
To participate in clinical audit and research initiatives.
To promote best practice ensuring care in evidence based.

At Northampton General Hospital we provide general acute services and hyper-acute stroke, vascular and renal services to people living in Northamptonshire. As well as this we are an accredited cancer centre and provide cancer services to a wider population of Northamptonshire and parts of Buckinghamshire.
We are proud to be the first hospital in the UK to have obtained Pathway to Excellence® designated accreditation from the American nurses credentialing centre (ANCC).
We celebrate staff achievements and value the importance of working as one big team. That's why we talk about Team NGH. It's all about working together to provide the best possible care for our patients and supporting each other to grow and develop our skills. We are driven to helping you to be the best you can be.
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities. The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative. We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.