Job summary
Advert may close early if sufficient number of applications is reached.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a enthusiastic dynamic person to join our cancer prehabilatation team, across University Hospital Tees.

The Cancer Prehabilitation Assistant Practitioner will work under the supervision of the Personalised Cancer Care Prehabilitation Lead as part of an exciting new Cancer Prehabilitation Programme called OPTIMISE. This is a new pilot service that is at the forefront of optimising health and wellbeing for cancer patients across University Hospital Tees and therefore offers exciting opportunities for involvement in ongoing service development.

Main duties of the job
In conjunction with the Personalised Cancer Care Prehabilitation Lead, provide co-ordination and implementation of high-quality patient care and support through on-going face to face/telephone contacts and proactive identification of needs utilising good communication skills, for cancer patients, their carers and families.

Support patients to optimise their nutritional, physical and emotional wellbeing through behaviour and lifestyle changes assisting them to achieve their goals, manage their condition and undertake prehabilitation

Collaborate and communicate with the wider health care and cancer services teams to ensure the provision of appropriate services to maximise the health and quality of life for people affected by cancer, improving access and implementation of cancer prehabilitation services.

To act as a point of contact for cancer prehabilitation for patient and their carers', the wider health care and cancer services teams. Actively participate in the provision of routine information and advice, for patients and their carers via the telephone, liaising with the CNS / AHP teams as appropriate.

Document and monitor all aspects of cancer prehabilitation patient care and service delivery, supporting data and outcome collection, audit and peer review purposes using Trust systems.

Working with the wider MDT and cancer services teams to improve current pathways and processes resulting in better quality care and outcomes for people affected by cancer.

About us
At University Hospital Tees our main priority is, and always will be, to provide safe and high quality care to our patients every day; the kind of care we would want for ourselves and our loved ones. We want our organisation to be the best place to work with the right staff, in the right roles, at the right time, to ensure we deliver exceptional patient care and experience.

We will support staff through providing an inclusive and supportive workplace with health and well-being initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development. Staff recognition is very important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Star and Team of the month, colleague recognition - a note of thanks, Managers Awards, Shining Stars and Service Awards.

Job responsibilities
To have good knowledge of the theory and practice of prehabilitation, including the key elements of increasing physical activity, psychological support, healthy diet, smoking cessation, and alcohol reduction, and support patients to implement these.

Recognise when a patient has support needs that require direct, prompt and appropriate referral to clinical staff.

Refer all clinical decisions to the Personalised Cancer Care Prehabilitation Lead or Clinical AHP staff within service for assessment and review.

Ensure user confidentiality is always maintained.

Direct contact with patients, carers and families to assist, support or direct with cancer prehabilitation, this may be in the form of face-to-face contact or via the telephone.

Support continuous improvement of the patients experience in cancer care services across the Trust within cancer prehabilitation.

Act as a role model demonstrating high standards of care providing leadership to others where appropriate.

Maintain quality in own work and encourage others to do so.

Support equality and value diversity.

Champion the Trust improvement and leadership strategy, through attendance at New and Aspiring Leaders and Foundation Quality Improvement

Person Specification
Essential

• knowledge of the importance of prehab/rehab
• previous experience in NHS including working as part of a MDT
• minimum NVQ level 3 related qualification or level 2 with relevant working knowledge
• experience of direct patient contact

Desirable

• previous experience in cancer care
• A basic understanding of cancer and cancer treatments.
• evidence of continued personal development

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).