Job Description

The Chemotherapy team 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 outpatient clinics and covering other administration roles including reception.



The post holder will require excellent communication skills and be able to work as part of a team but also be able to manage your own workload. The role requires considerable amount of computer work using a few of the trusts systems. A good knowledge of these information systems would be an advantage, although training will be given.



The post holder's role will include the booking of patients SACT treatment, and booking 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.



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 manner at all times.



The successful candidate would be expected to cover reception duties and work a variety of shifts between 7.30am and 6pm throughout the week, there will also be an expectation to work some Bank Holidays and Saturdays on rotation.



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.



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



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 case notes and patient visits



Maintain patient confidentiality at all times



Analytical & Judgmental Skills



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



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 & Organizational Skills



Plan for patient admissions, appointments, and discharge



Clinic preparation to ensure that all clinical notes and forms are present



Make alterations to clinic structure to accommodate arrival of unexpected patients



Use the iQemo scheduling system to book patients for treatment.



Re-arrange clinics to accommodate staff absence



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



Provide cover for colleagues across the Division and at other trusts 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, fax machine, 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



Track patient notes in patient information system



Print forms to attach to patient notes



Print out daily clinic lists



Responsibility Research & Development



Undertake surveys/audits as necessary to own work



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



Moving heavy sets of case notes around reception areas frequently during day



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, missing case notes, 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



This role requires occasional work at various Christie sites, and as such, candidates must have their own means of transport and possess a full UK driving licence.