Leeds Teaching Hospitals r54Paij9
Key responsibilities include managing fast-track patient pathways, monitoring diagnostic timelines, attending weekly patient access meetings, and supporting quality improvement initiatives. Candidates should possess significant healthcare experience, a knowledge of medical terminology, strong IT skills, and the ability to communicate effectively in a high-pressure environment. The role also requires excellent organisational skills and the capacity to handle sensitive situations involving patients and their families. The successful candidate must demonstrate flexibility as the role evolves to meet departmental needs.
Expected Shortlisting Date
04/11/2024
Planned Interview Date
18/11/2024
The Cellular Pathology Department is seeking an organised and patient focused individual to support in the management of diagnostic samples from patients on a cancer pathway on a 12-month fixed term basis.
The department provides a diagnostic histopathology and non-gynae cytology service, including fast track processing for patients who are suspected of having cancer.
The Cancer Pathway Manager will provide comprehensive support to the Cellular Pathology Management Team through the co-ordination and management of patients on a cancer pathway that require diagnostic reports and will act as a single point of contact for the service, and as a liaison point between other CSUs, Multi-disciplinary Teams (MDTs), and the Corporate Cancer Team.
The post holder will support the service in its delivery of diagnostic reports for patients on a cancer pathway, ensuring diagnostic processing and reporting is provided in line with local and national targets.
Previous experience of working within the heath care sector and knowledge of medical terminology and patient pathways is advantageous.
This role has been created to support the Cellular Pathology service in its delivery of diagnostic reports for patients on a cancer pathway, ensuring diagnostic processing and reporting is provided in line with local and national targets. As this is a new role within the service, the post holder will need to be flexible to support the needs of the departments it evolves over time. The Cancer Pathway Manager will provide comprehensive support to the Cellular Pathology Management Team through the co-ordination and management of patients on a cancer pathway that require diagnostic reports.
The post-holder act as a single point of contact for the service, and as a liaison point between other CSUs, Multi-disciplinary Teams (MDTs), and the Corporate Cancer Team.
Key duties of the role include:
Attendance at weekly Patient Access Meetings, providing analysis of patients on a fast track pathway, requiring diagnostic reports
Fast track and Cancer waiting-list management, including the tracking of patients and escalation of any breaches.
Leading and supporting the service in its service delivery and quality improvement initiatives for patients on a cancer pathway.
Maintaining close relationships with the Corporate Cancer Team, acting as a key point of contact for the Cellular Pathology department, and supporting in any associated activity.
About us
JOB DIMENSIONS
The post-holder will coordinate appropriate services to maximise the delivery of streamlined diagnostic pathways, thereby improving quality of care and experience for patients and their carers.
The post holder will work across management teams and organisational boundaries, whilst linking closely with the Cancer Centre and contribute to service plans and developments.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Knowledge
Application of Trust Policies, practices and procedures associated with the role of Cancer Pathway Manager.
Knowledge of the care pathways, cancer waiting time standards and the management of patients on these pathways.
Understanding of definitions and reporting requirements of the cancer standards (DoH Cancer Wait Times Guidance, Version 8, 2.
Application of data protection and patient confidentiality policies.
An understanding of hospital information systems: e.g. PAS, PPM Database, CRIS.
Skills
IT skills in Word, Access, Excel, and ability to navigate PPM Database.
Ability to accurately transcribe and record complex medical information to the database for tracking and monitoring purposes.
Ability to cope with distressing and emotional nature of the work when dealing with sensitive situations involving patients and their families.
Ability to work under pressure to meet the agreed timescales of the national cancer standards.
Ability to communicate and negotiate key actions with all levels and disciplines of staff, within and external to LTHT.
Excellent organisational skills, ability to prioritise workload, multi-task and meet deadlines.
Experience
Significant experience of working within a health care setting,
Experience of IT applications in a Windows based environment.
Working on own initiative and delivering results to deadlines.
Working alongside multi-disciplinary teams to deliver high quality patient care.
6. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
The post-holder is expected to be a self-motivated, enthusiastic team member with a professional attitude and the ability to work flexibly in a demanding environment. The individual must be able to communicate sensitively and effectively with clinical and managerial teams in the Trust and referring units.
The Cancer Pathway Manager must work within local Trust and NHS processes and protocols, demonstrate integrity and respect patient confidentiality.
The post holder will be expected to manage their own workload, with the ability to work independently and take the initiative where appropriate, planning and organising his/her own time efficiently and effectively to meet all requirements in a timely and accurate manner.
The role requires willingness to undergo training, professional and personal development in line with changes and advances.
7. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The Cancer Pathway Manager will demonstrate understanding of local and national standards/targets applicable to the area of service. This includes knowledge of the NHS Cancer Plan and national cancer guidance. In addition, the post-holder will have knowledge of key Trust information systems and the ability to navigate these to track patients. Knowledge of the patients pathway relevant to the CSU specialty and knowledge and understanding of applicable medical terminology is required.
Knowledge of administrative processes and procedures in an acute hospital setting, including awareness of the Caldicott Guidance and Data Protection and Security Act relating to patient information is also required.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Communication and Coordination
The post-holder will:
Communicate with relevant departments and organisations to ensure that the patients pathway is as timely as possible and all delays are avoided.
Communicate with key departments areas of the serviceto ensure all tests and investigations are completed in a timely manner and any issues are escalated.
Communicate information on the patients progress on the care pathway to CSU managers and clinicians as appropriate.
Liaise and communicate cancer guidance and definitions to key staff within the Trust.
Develop positive working relationships with all members of the team, liaising in particular with management, consultants, Pathologists and administrative staff.
To manage own workload, with the ability to work independently and take the initiative where appropriate, planning and organising his/her own time efficiently and effectively to meet all requirements in a timely and accurate manner.
Information / Data Collection
The post-holder will:
Develop and maintain a database to actively manage and record patient level detail.
Collect and record data on behalf of the consultants within the team, which can be manipulated to allow the extraction of data for audit and research purposes.
Using data gathered identify, develop and implement, through collaborative working with the clinicians improvements to the patient pathway and overall.
Collect and record patient information from Trust data recording systems (e.g. pathology, radiology, outpatients, bookings, PPM database etc. to ensure the patients progress can be measured.
Tracking and Case Management
The post-holder will:
Work closely with consultants, Biomedical Scientists, clerical and other staff to deliver a coordinated, consistent management of patient cancer pathways.
Monitor the patients progress on the pathway and check daily to ensure that escalation points are adhered to.
Utilise reports in the PPM Database to monitor patients and identify delays for action.
Liaise with other departments and trusts to ensure that investigations, opinions and treatments are sought in a timely fashion.
Ensuring all new cancer patients are tracked and highlighted for discussion at MDT meetings, when results etc. are available.
Escalation of Actions
The post-holder will:
Monitor patient pathways against the agreed timescales in accordance with the specified pathway.
Ensure that all relevant information is provided to the staff responsible for delivery of the cancer pathway.
Escalate those patients whose progress is likely to fall outside the agreed timescales.
COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will be required to establish, maintain and respect working relationships and communication networks associated with the post. Communication will include those organisations, individuals and institutions the post holder comes into contact with. Typically these will include internal networks associated with the specialty area as well as other external contacts as appropriate. The post holder will be expected to represent them and the service in a professional, courteous and respectful manner at all times.
11. SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS
There may be a requirement to support the delivery of service at other sites as necessary. This could be a regular feature of the post or only an occasional requirement. This will be confirmed following discussion with line manager.
i) PHYSICAL EFFORT:
Advanced keyboard skills and an expert knowledge of PPM are required.
Using a variety of software applications to validate information demands accuracy and dexterity to ensure correct outcomes.
Frequent sitting in a restricted position whilst carrying out duties on a PC and over the telephone.
VDU and highly accurate keyboard skills for prolonged periods of time.
ii) MENTAL EFFORT:
Frequent mental effort/concentration required in relation to coordination of procedures and appointments to facilitate the patients clinical pathway Unpredictable workload, responding to changing circumstances (increase/decrease in demand/capacity, prioritisation of workload)
Robust verbal and written communication skills required at all times.
iii) EMOTIONAL EFFORT:
Tracking of individual patients within tight timescales can be stressful and the resulting action can involve liaising with un-cooperative members of staff.
There will be frequent exposure to emotional circumstances and difficult situations including death and dying, distressed patients, families and relatives carers.
Dealing with complex workload
iv) WORKING CONDITIONS:
There are no anticipated problems with extremes of environment. The post-holder will be situated in an open plan office.
Will use VDU equipment for most of the day, and will use the telephone on a daily basis.
Violence & Aggression may experience violence and aggression from patients and/or relatives/carers
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