About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to appoint e-prescribing chemotherapy scheduler . this is a key administrative role within our chemotherapy department and will be responsible for coordinating the complex treatment pathways for cancer patients using specialised electronic systems. This involves meticulous scheduling, patient communication, and liaison with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the safe and timely delivery of Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapies (SACT).
The post holder will work collaboratively across primary and secondary care and third sector organisations with responsibility to provide an effective, caring and compassionate service to patients to optimise their access to cancer services, through close working with multidisciplinary teams within primary care, secondary care and tertiary centres.
They will be point of access to receive and act upon notification of any new treatment starts or any changes in treatments identified at the diagnostic stage.
They will liaise with patients and their relatives and ensure appropriate and timely appointments are secured and any additional tests are organised prior to their imaging via their GP or within the Trust.
Main duties of the job
The e-prescribing chemotherapy scheduler will work across UHND, Shotley Bridge, Bishop Auckland and Darlington in conjunction with visiting Oncologists, Radiology, the multi-disciplinary team Cancer Pathway Coordinators and members of multi-disciplinary teams in primary and secondary care and third sector organisations. It will be an essential component of the job to form close working relationships with the medical, nursing and allied health professionals from all of the Trust cancer multidisciplinary teams across sites and within Primary Care.
The e-prescribing chemotherapy scheduler will provide a point of contact to GPs and patients/carers advising and updating on patient pathway status with the specific aim of minimising any delays throughout each patient journey. Within the Trust, they are also point of access to receive notification of new or recurrent cancers which are identified following diagnostics and an essential element of the role is to ensure the Cancer Pathway Coordinators and the relevant MDT are alerted and relevant appointments are secured.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Job description Job responsibilities
A key aspect of the role is to liaise with the patient or their carer to provide detail of next appointments and arrange any necessary tests prior to SACT treatment. They will act as patient advocate to enable timely access to cancer services, and will also follow up with the patient should they fail to attend. In addition they will signpost patients to relevant support within primary and secondary care.
Direct communication (making reasonable adjustments to accommodate patient need) with patients and their representatives and primary and secondary care teams.
Identify delays in pathways and report in a timely way to collaborate in planning changes to pathways and minimise delays from diagnosis to treatment.
Facilitate individual patient journeys through designated cancer pathways to reduce avoidable delays in treatment.
Liaise with the patient, Central Appointments Team, Clinical Nurse Specialists and Radiology to arrange imaging or out-patient appointments at point of referral.
Organise additional tests required as pre-requisite (e.g. bloods for kidney function) to imaging via the GP or within the Trust, with close communication and discussion with the patient.
To report/escalate any waiting time issues for imaging to the Radiology General Manager and expedite imaging appointments and/or reports
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Experience with IT Previous administrative experience within the NHS Previous experience of data collection, validation and reporting Experience of training / coaching experience in Health Care
Special Skills & Knowledge Essential
Ability to communicate and influence a broad range of staff at all levels in the organisation with particular regard to cancer waiting times and prevention of breaches. Understanding of IT systems/scheuling High level of communication skills when communicating with patients/relatives/carers Ability to take day to day responsibility for their own area of work, working autonomously for the majority of the time Ability to work effectively as a member of a team Knowledge of legislation surrounding patient and staff confidentiality and the sharing of information across organisations IT skills, e.g., Excel manipulate and analyse data using excel Word, produce documents to a professional standard Outlook, diary and email Knowledge of hospital based information systems Ability to solve problems and take appropriate action Ability to communicate and work with a wide range of professional and administrative staff Ability to identify trends in patient pathways that require improvement Ability to develop and implement policy and procedure guidance Understanding of service improvement and the application of this.
Desirable
Knowledge of service improvement methodology including simple tools, techniques and measurement for improvement Knowledge of cancer patients pathways Knowledge of systemic anti-cancer therapies
Qualifications Essential
Diploma level qualification / foundation degree or equivalent experience/ working towards Knowledge and understanding of systemic anti-cancer therapy/ Oncology/Haematology Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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.
Employer details Employer name County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address University Hospital Of North Durham
North Road
DURHAM
DH1 5TW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)