Radiosurgery Healthcare Assistant

The Clinical Support Worker provides practical, clinical, administrative and emotional support to patients and their carers throughout the Gamma Knife treatment pathway.

Working closely with the multidisciplinary team, the post holder contributes to the safe, effective and compassionate delivery of patient-centred care, ensuring a positive patient experience from admission through to discharge.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide high-quality, patient-centred support throughout the Gamma Knife treatment pathway, acting as a key point of contact for patients and carers from admission to discharge.

Responsibilities include providing information, reassurance and emotional support, assisting with clinical procedures such as venepuncture, cannulation, stereotactic frame fitting and removal, patient positioning, monitoring and recording observations, and supporting safe patient care.

The role involves recognising and escalating changes in a patients condition, maintaining patient comfort, dignity and wellbeing, supporting patient transfers, and communicating effectively with patients, carers and multidisciplinary team members, including those with additional support needs.

The post holder will also support service operations by contacting patients before treatment, coordinating with internal and external departments, preparing equipment for clinical use, maintaining infection prevention and control standards, and responding appropriately to emergency situations.

In addition, the role contributes to quality, governance and safety activities through accurate record keeping, incident reporting, audit and quality improvement support, data collection, stock management, and the efficient use of departmental resources, while working within organisational policies, procedures and quality management systems.

About us

Queen Square Radiosurgery Centre provides a Gamma Knife radiosurgery service for both NHS and private patients, treating brain tumours and other intracranial conditions.

• Job responsibilities
• Patient Care and Support
• Ensure patient-centred care throughout all stages of the Gamma Knife treatment pathway.
• Act as the primary point of contact for patients and carers throughout the treatment day, responding promptly and compassionately to their clinical and non-clinical needs.
• Provide information, reassurance, practical assistance and emotional support to patients and carers throughout their treatment journey.
• Admit patients for Gamma Knife treatment and undertake associated admission and clerking duties.
• Participate in all aspects of patient care during the Gamma Knife treatment day, including:
• Venepuncture and cannulation following appropriate training and competency assessment.
• Assisting with stereotactic frame fitting and removal.
• Assisting with patient positioning for treatment.
• Recording, monitoring and documenting patient observations and vital signs in accordance with local policies.
• Providing general clinical care and support.
• Completing required documentation from admission through to discharge.
• Recognise, report and accelerate changes in patient observations or condition to the clinician in charge and respond appropriately to instructions.
• Maintain patient comfort, dignity and wellbeing throughout the treatment day.
• Assist with wheelchair, stretcher and other patient transfers in accordance with manual handling policies and procedures.
• Support safe manual handling practices and participate in patient transfers as required.
• Provide patients and carers with post-treatment advice, discharge information and appropriate handovers.
• Communicate sensitively and effectively with patients who may have language barriers, cognitive impairment, memory difficulties, mental health needs, additional support requirements or heightened anxiety.
• Build rapport and maintain patients trust and cooperation to support a seamless treatment experience.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and manage sensitive information in accordance with organisational policies, information governance requirements and data protection legislation.
• Clinical and Operational Support
• Contact patients by telephone to provide appointment details, treatment information and other relevant pre-treatment guidance.
• Develop effective working relationships with radiographers, medical staff, allied health professionals, support workers and administrative teams to facilitate coordinated patient care.
• Liaise effectively with internal and external departments to support efficient patient pathways and continuity of care.
• Respond calmly and appropriately to unexpected or emergency situations, supporting the clinical team and following established emergency procedures to ensure patient safety.
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Play a key role in maintaining Infection Prevention and Control standards across the service.
• Maintain cleanliness and readiness of clinical and non-clinical areas and equipment.
• Prepare Gamma Knife equipment for clinical use and coordinate the sterilisation, tracking and retrieval of equipment as required.
• Quality, Governance and Safety
• Work within the Quality Management System (QMS) framework and comply with all organisational policies and procedures.
• Report incidents, accidents, near misses and concerns promptly in accordance with local reporting processes.
• Support departmental audit activities and quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist with data collection and collation to support clinical governance, service evaluation and business development activities.
• Ensure all patient documentation is completed accurately, appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Stock and Resource Management
• Proactively monitor and maintain clinical supplies, consumables and stock levels to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
• Support the efficient use and management of departmental resources.
• Reporting Relationships
• Report to the Lead and Senior Radiographers and the Clinical Services Manager, escalating concerns and seeking guidance as appropriate.

Person Specification

Experience

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with patients, carers and colleagues.
• Ability to provide reassurance and emotional support to patients who may be anxious or distressed.
• Demonstrates a compassionate and empathetic approach to patient care.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and build positive working relationships.
• Experience communicating with patients who have complex communication needs, cognitive impairment, language barriers or mental health needs.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a healthcare, patient care, support worker or customer-facing environment.
• Understanding of patient-centred care and maintaining patient dignity, confidentiality and wellbeing.
• Experience of supporting patients with physical, emotional or communication needs.
• Willingness to undertake training and competency assessment in clinical skills, including venepuncture and cannulation.
• Basic IT skills and experience of maintaining accurate records and documentation.
• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, Care Certificate, or equivalent healthcare qualification.
• Experience working in a hospital, radiotherapy, neurosurgical or day-case setting.
• Experience undertaking clinical observations, venepuncture and cannulation.
• Knowledge of Gamma Knife or stereotactic radiosurgery pathways.
• Knowledge and skills
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Reliable, professional and supportive approach to colleagues.
• Ability to work independently within defined responsibilities and seek guidance when appropriate.
• Flexible approach to supporting service needs and patient care activities.
• Ability to recognise changes in a patient's condition and accelerate concerns appropriately.
• Ability to follow instructions, policies and procedures accurately.
• Demonstrates sound judgement and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Able to prioritise workload and respond appropriately to changing clinical demands.
• Ability to organise and prioritise tasks effectively in a busy clinical environment.
• Able to manage competing demands while maintaining high standards of patient care and documentation.
• Demonstrates attention to detail and accuracy in record keeping.
• Ability to support efficient patient flow and service delivery.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of patient safety, infection prevention and control, and clinical governance.
• Understanding of confidentiality, information governance, GDPR and data protection requirements.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office and electronic patient record systems.
• Demonstrates professional conduct and behaviour at all times.
• Ability to undertake manual handling activities safely and participate in patient transfers.
• Good physical dexterity and accuracy when undertaking clinical support activities.
• Demonstrates respect, compassion and inclusivity towards patients, carers and colleagues.
• Understands the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in healthcare delivery.
• Demonstrates a patient-centred approach and commitment to treating individuals with dignity and respect.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.
• Motivated, proactive and willing to develop new skills and competencies.
• Friendly, approachable and professional manner.
• Ability to adapt to changing service needs and clinical priorities.
• Able to work flexibly to meet service requirements.
• Experience working across multiple clinical areas or services.
• Experience responding to clinical incidents, deteriorating patients or emergency situations.
• Experience coordinating patient appointments, admissions or treatment pathways.
• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS), audit processes or quality improvement methodologies.
• Evidence of participation in service improvement, training or educational activities.
• 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.

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