Main area Cancer Support Worker Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 33 hours per week (Monday - Friday) Job ref 279-7474288-DEC25

Employer University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Worthing Hospital Town Worthing Salary £24,937 - £26,598 pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 13/01/2026 23:59

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values . We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research , we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for a band 3 Cancer Support Line Operator to work within our Cancer Services Department based at Worthing and St. Richard’s Hospital’s, with cross-site travel.

Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to provide a comprehensive cancer support line operation and administrator service to the Cancer Support Worker Team Leaders, Cancer Support Workers and Clinical Nurse Specialists as directed by the Cancer Support Worker Team Leaders. The successful candidate must be able to work using their own initiative, but also as part of a team.

Good communication, organisational and time-management skills are essential as you will need to liaise directly with patients, cancer support workers, clinical nurse specialist and the wider cancer multi-disciplinary team including community services and other third party stakeholders.

A working knowledge of general office procedures and Microsoft packages is required but full training will be given in the use of oncology and hospital software.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

· To monitor the incoming telephone calls to the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and Cancer Support Worker (CSW) support lines. This includes triaging and escalating voicemail messages left by patients, relatives, GPs within the Trust/PCT and other stakeholders. Using electronic diaries, email and out-going telephone contacts to redirect and signpost.

· To use CAREFLOW, EVOLVE, CRIS, Somerset Cancer Register and other Trust programmes to advise patients of follow-up appointments, check the reporting of scans when requested to do so by CSW’s and CNS’s and locate the best services for patient signposting where applicable

· Record and report all patient communication on the Somerset Cancer Register in a clear and precise manner and referring to CSW’s and CNS’s where necessary. This includes the escalation of clinical concerns and arranging Holistic Needs Assessments as required.

· To liaise with Oncology Secretaries to cancel/re-book appointments as requested by the Consultants, CNS’s or patient.

· To be responsible for monitoring the CNS and CSW joint email box, triaging, redirecting and completing requests from CNS’s and other stakeholders using own initiative and decision-making skills.

· To assist with the completion of electronic referrals to other services such as the Macmillan Welfare and Benefits Team, Community Palliative Care Team and Counselling Services.

· To maintain good communications with the Clinical Nurse Specialists, Cancer Support Workers and other staff outside the department, as well as patients and members of the public.

· In the absence of the relevant CNS, ensure that appropriate messages are taken or information escalated, where appropriate, to the covering lead CNS.

· To liaise with internal and external professionals and departments and the general public as and when required, in a friendly, professional and courteous manner.

· To attend Team meetings, as and when required.

· To complete all other clerical duties as required by the service, as agreed by line manager with direction from the CNS team.

· Undertaking mandatory training courses as required by the Trust and to undertake any other relevant training deemed necessary by the Lead Cancer Manager to perform the job to an acceptable standard.

· Participate in the Trust Individual Performance Review (IPR) process on at least an annual basis.

· To adhere to NHS Trust and Department procedures and policie

Person specification

Experience / Qualifications

• Admin/Reception experience using office software
• GCSE or equivalent in English and Maths
• Knowledge of medical terminology

Skills

• Good telephone manner
• Understanding of confidentiality
• Clerical & Organisational skills

Personal Qualities

• Able to use initiative and work as part of a team
• Ability to work in a pressurised environment
• Ability to accept and manage change

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria.For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criterion.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nursingteam@nhs.net.

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nonnursingteam@nhs.net.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

Application numbers

This advert has been capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, it will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in this post to prevent you from missing out on applying for this opportunity.

Name Amy Cairns Job title Cancer Support Worker Team Leader Email address amy.cairns2@nhs.net Telephone number 07826 934691 Additional information

If you wish to have an informal chat about this vacancy please contact; Amy Cairns, amy.cairns2@nhs.net, 07826 934691.