Job Description

A 21-month apprenticeship agreement developing into a permanent role on successful completion.



Band 3 - Annex 21. 22,368 throughout the 18-21 month period. Providing successful completion of the apprenticeship, permanent appointment to Band 3 24,625 - 25,674 pay scale.



An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic individual to embark on a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration (Cancer Care Contextualised) within the SACT (Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapies) Department here at The Christie. We require a scheduler to work as part of our existing team to schedule patients receiving systemic anti-cancer treatments. The post holder will be expected to work as part of a very busy team, spending time in out-patient clinics and covering other administration roles including reception.



The successful candidate will receive first class training and work towards a formal qualification whilst developing professional skills to provide a SACT scheduling service to the Trust. They will receive 6 hours off-the-job learning time per week.



Please read the eligibility criteria set out in the 'Apprenticeships - guidance for applicants' document attached to the NHS Jobs page for this vacancy.



As an Apprentice SACT Scheduler you will be trained to be a valuable member of our team, providing support such as booking of patients SACT treatment and Outpatients appointments, communicating with patients and relatives both face to face and on the phone and ensuring patients receive their appointments in a timely manner. Other administration skills will be required upon development.



The role requires the individual to meet deadlines for appointments and targets, to communicate well with all members of the multidisciplinary team, patients, and their relatives and to act in a professional, courteous manor at all times.



To be successful, you will need to show a willingness to learn and work as part of a team. Have good attention to detail, organisational and IT skills and the confidence to question and seek clarity from your team members and stakeholders.



You may be asked to cover reception duties with an expectation to work some bank holidays and Saturdays on rotation. The department is open from 7.30am to 6pm (Monday to Friday) and the team is expected to cover between these hours with some flexibility.



The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.



We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.



We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.



DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES



The post-holder's responsibilities will be phased. Those in standard font will be undertaken from Day 1; those in italics are the responsibilities the post-holder will develop into over the duration of the apprenticeship.



The scheduling of patients SACT treatment, and Outpatients appointments, communicating with patients and relatives both face to face and on the phone, ensuring patients receive their appointments in a timely manner. Other administration skills will be required.



It requires the individual to meet deadlines for appointments and targets, to communicate well with all members of the multidisciplinary team, patients, and their relatives and to act in a professional, courteous manor at all times.



KEY ROLE DIMENSIONS



Duties/Responsibilities in italics are to be developed during the apprenticeship period



Communication & Relationship Skills



Exchange information with patients and staff on the admission and discharge of patients, both verbally and in written format



Communicate complex information about chemotherapy appointment schedules to patients



Communicate with patients who may be anxious, angry or upset



Exchange relevant information with GPs and other health professionals



Deal compassionately with distressing situations



Liaise with other members of staff regarding patient notes and visits



Maintain patient confidentiality at all times



Analytical & Judgmental Skills



Resolve issues arising in own role, such as cancellation of patient appointments



Use own initiative to liaise with clinical staff where necessary regarding patient queries



Use patient information systems to assist patients and staff with solving issues



Apply knowledge to correctly code treatment appointments and first definitive treatments



Assess patients' demographic details and alert management if they do not reach eligibility criteria for treatment in the NHS



Planning & Organisational Skills



Plan for patient appointments ensuring meeting clinic requirements, availability and protocol



Ensure all investigation requests (e.g. phlebotomy) have been added to appointments ahead of clinic preparation



Appropriate escalation in the event of unexpected patients and queries to resolve efficiently



Use the iQemo scheduling system to book patients for treatment.



Ensure that annual leave does not occur at the same time as colleagues



Provide cover for colleagues across the department and at other trusts (remotely) who deliver chemotherapy activity in times of sickness and annual leave - therefore will be familiar with systems and processes in all areas.



Physical Skills



Work in patient information system, requiring standard keyboard skills



Use office equipment including PCs, printers and phones



Responsibility Patient/Client Care



Provide comprehensive advice to patients/relatives regarding appointments



Signpost patients to other areas of hospital



Responsibility Policy & Service Development



Follow all relevant policy and legislation



Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure policies are adhered to



Responsibility Financial & Physical Resources



Handle financial donations, frequently made by patients visiting the unit



Ensure that office supplies are adequate, ordered and obtained for the smooth running of the unit



Responsibility Human Resources



To provide induction support to new post holders



Demonstrate workplace routines to less experienced members of staff



Responsibility Information Resources



Update patient demographic details in patient information system



Enter patient appointments and outcomes in patient information system



Regular monitoring and actioning of new patient treatment requests and electronic outcome forms



Responsibility Research & Development



Undertake surveys/audits as necessary



Freedom to Act



Post holder is expected to follow all relevant protocols, SOPs and standard practice



Administrative manager is available as point of reference for any queries and will meet regularly with staff



Plan and organize own time and workload activity with prioritization



Use own initiative to solve problems and answer staff and patient enquiries



Physical Effort



Periods of time spent sitting at keyboard to input information



Mental Effort



Concentration is required when making appointments and entering data on patient information system



Constant interruptions from phone calls, patients presenting at reception and demands from other members of staff



Unpredictable pattern of working due to arrival of unplanned patients, cancelled clinics, staff absence and patient illness



Emotional Effort



Direct interaction with patients suffering from terminal illnesses



Receiving phone calls from family members informing of the death or deterioration of patients



Frequent exposure to distressed patients who are upset or angry



Working Conditions



Continuous use of VDU for patient management



Very busy reception area



Frequent exposure to physically ill patients in waiting area