Cove Support Officer

This role has been approved for advertising; however, it is also being assessed as a suitable alternative employment opportunity. As a result, the vacancy may be withdrawn or there may be a delay before shortlisting can begin.

This role is open to all applicants. However, in line with Cornwall First recruitment principles, initial shortlisting will prioritise applicants from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and the Integrated Care Board for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The Cove Information and Support Centre is based at the Royal Cornwall Hospital site and working collaboratively with Macmillan, the centre provides holistic, personalised care services to those affected by a cancer diagnosis on an outpatient basis.

The candidate will integrate with the existing support officer and Cove team, providing level 1 and 2 support and signposting patients and families to appropriate services and information, and complete Holistic Needs Assessments as appropriate. Candidates will have excellent communication skills, have experience of working with clinical staff at all levels and ideally relating to cancer.

This is a part time post working 22.5 hours per week. The hours are predominantly Mon - Fri but may include some evenings and weekends to fit in with the needs of service users.

Main duties of the job

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 consideration of service users information and support needs, provision of verbal and written information, supportive listening, action planning and sign posting to available services and support.

Work closely with wider Trust departments, primary care and community organisations, providing support and signposting patients and families to appropriate services and information

Be required to help co-ordinate, mentor and train volunteers or newly-recruited staff including providing support to other staff and volunteers, balancing managing own workload with these demands

Be expected to contribute to the delivery and development of a trust wide patient service and to provide cover for the Macmillan Centre Manager (with access to appropriate managerial support) during periods of annual leave and absence.

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is the main provider of acute and specialist care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We serve a population of around 500,000 people - a figure that can increase significantly with

visitors during the busiest times of the year. We employ approximately 6,700 staff and have a budget of approximately £580 million.

We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School.

The Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site is the base for medical and nursing as well as ongoing education for health professions in clinical and non-clinical roles.

Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we are continually developing our clinical services as well as our facilities and are committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. Allied to this is a growing reputation for research and innovation.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is a research active organisation.

It's established South West Clinical School in Cornwall exists to promote clinical academic career opportunities for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals interested in research and evidence-based activities. Read their research paper to find out more.