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Job summary

Main area
Oncology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Including bank holidays)
Job ref
409-7826404
Employer
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
St Helens Hospital
Town
St Helens
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
14/04/2026 23:59
Interview date
12/05/2026

Employer heading

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust logo

Health Care Assistant - Acute Oncology Team

NHS AfC: Band 3

After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred Third-party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e-mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website. By applying for this post you are agreeing to "name of trust" transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are appointed to a post information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Health Care Assistant to join the Acute Oncology Team in this newly created post.

The post will support the Acute Oncology Advanced Nurse Practitioners within the Cancer Same Day Emergency Care Unit (cSDEC) at St Helens Hospital. The unit cares for oncology and haemato-oncology patients who are experiencing complications related to their cancer or cancer treatment.

The service operates Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm, including bank holidays, with future plans to expand to weekend working.

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated and compassionate individual with good knowledge of clinical standards and excellent communication skills. You should also be skilled in basic nursing care, including monitoring vital signs and assisting with personal care, supporting the Acute Oncology Nursing team in delivering holistic care to patients and their families.

The Acute Oncology Team works closely with the Lilac Centre, where patients receive systemic cancer treatments. This role would suit a motivated Healthcare Assistant with a strong interest in caring for patients with cancer who is keen to develop within a specialist service.

You will be supported in your role by the Acute Oncology Lead Nurse, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Cancer Support Worker and the wider Cancer Services team, with opportunities to develop new skills and access professional development.

Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than advertised should a sufficient number of applications be received.

Interview Date:  to be confirmed

The JD & PS are currently under AfC review and are subject to change

Main duties of the job

To work as part of the Nursing Team undertaking household support tasks and direct care tasks as delegated by the Nurse in Charge.

To support the qualified Nursing Staff in the maintenance of high standards of nursing care to patients.

To assist in providing an environment within the ward that is conductive to patient recovery and pleasant for patients and their families.

To accept responsibility for specifically delegated functions within the ward which the Nurse in Charge feels are appropriate for untrained staff to undertake.

To ensure where entries are made in nursing documentation, that these are correct, legible and comprehensive and countersigned by a registered nurse.

To ensure the Health and Safety of patients, relatives and other staff is considered and not prejudiced by the post-holder at any time.

Working for our organisation

The Secretary of State has approved the partnership between St Helens & Knowsley and Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals.

From 1st July we have come together as a single organisation under the name Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.

The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.

Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:

  • CARE that is evidence based, high quality and compassionate
  • ​​​​​​SAFETY that is of the highest standards
  • COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful
  • SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred and reliable
  • PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients

Our achievements include:

  • Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
  • Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
  • Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Please see our Wellbeing & Benefits booklet for more information on our staff benefits. Accessible version available upon request.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and responsibilities

1.  Work as part of a team and duties will be delegated by the registered healthcare professional

2.     Act within the scope of your training and competence, knowing who to ask for help and support if you are not sure.

3.     Work within agreed ways of working, following relevant Trust standards, policies and protocols.

4.     Communicate compassionately and effectively with individuals and their families, carers and health care practitioners using a range of techniques, maintaining confidentiality and using tact, empathy, persuasion and reassurance

5.     Observe, assess and respond to patients needs appropriately, escalating concerns to Nursing staff as required including instigating emergency procedures as per policy.

6.     Organises self and supervises other junior staff or learners in general work tasks or when delivering patient care with supervision from nursing staff.

7.     Prioritises a range of delegated clinical care duties.

 

8.     Acting on own initiative, undertake personal care duties and support activities of daily living, e.g. mouth care, personal hygiene and toileting needs, demonstrating person centred care.

9.     Assist the registered healthcare practitioners with clinical tasks, follow care plans, notice and report changes, assist with risk assessments, obtain samples and some specimens.

10.  Safely deliver care duties including manoeuvring of patient equipment such as hoists and wheelchairs.

11.  Gather evidence to assist registered healthcare practitioner in obtaining a patient/client history.

12.  Undertake delegated procedures as required within the limits of required training and measured competence e.g. venepuncture / ECG recording / blood glucose monitoring, clinical observations, taking specimens, escalating any abnormalities to the registered nurse.

13. Support of patients feeding, diet and nutritional needs and accurately record patient’s nutritional intake and fluid intake and output, noticing and reporting changes to the nursing staff.

14.  Ensure patient property is managed as per Trust policy.

15. Monitor levels of supplies and order supplies for the department as appropriate

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • NVQ Level 2 (Ideally in Health Care) or equivalent qualification, or equivalent experience
  • Care Certificate, or willing to work towards upon appointment
Desirable criteria
  • Venepuncture Course
  • Cannulation Course

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of clinical skills required to undertake the role
  • Knowledge of Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults procedures
  • Experience within a care setting

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Excellent communication skills & effective record management
  • Ability to manage time and priorities effectively
  • Ability to work autonoumously, and use own initative when necessary

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Nursing TimesApprenticeships logoDisability confident leaderArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardNavajo - Merseyside and CheshireCare quality commission - OutstandingDying to Work CharterStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingNHS Rainbow Badge - BronzeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPeople Promise

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Laura Hives
Job title
Acute Oncology ANP
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01744 646794
Additional information

Samantha Brady

Acute Oncology ANP

[email protected]

01744 646794

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