At a Glance
- Tasks: Support cancer patients through group facilitation and provide vital information and care.
- Company: Join Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, a leading charity dedicated to cancer support.
- Benefits: Earn £17.68 per hour plus mileage reimbursement for travel.
- Other info: Flexible hours and opportunities for professional development in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered health professional with experience in cancer care.
The predicted salary is between 17.68 - 17.68 £ per hour.
Reports to: Director of Therapeutic Services and Clinical Governance
Hours: Sessional hours as required
Location: Various locations across Northern Ireland, covering all NHS Trust areas
Campaign Service/Cause: Therapeutic Services
Remuneration: £17.68 per hour
Overall Purpose of Post
This is a unique role within Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, in which the post holder will provide cover for Cancer Focus NI staff working across our support services, including staff at our Therapeutic Cancer Support Centres when they are on planned leave, or during times of unexpected sickness/absence. The post holder will also support the facilitation of groups held in our Cancer Support Centres, or groups held in partnerships with other agencies at various locations throughout Northern Ireland. The post holder will support delivery of Cancer Focus NI's Nurseline service. They will not work independently covering Nurseline calls, however, may be expected to return calls, answer specific queries, or offer support to clients identified by Cancer Focus NI staff. The post holder will provide support for drop-in and phone enquiries that come through the Therapeutic Cancer Support Centre. They will also support Group Work to support existing groups and plan new services, including online resources. This will include the co-facilitation of group members in sharing their cancer-related experiences in a safe and supportive environment while maintaining confidentiality. They will support planning and co-facilitating a number of support groups, workshops/short courses - both in person and online for people impacted by cancer. There will also be a requirement to support with data collection to enable evaluation of the impact of support and development of services to ensure continuous improvement in services.
About the Post Holder
The post holder will be a health professional, with active registration on a professional regulatory body e.g. NMC, HCPC, UKCP, HPC. The post holder will have experience in working with patients diagnosed with cancer. They will have experience of working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and will have excellent communication skills. They will also have experience in providing care and support for people with cancer and their families in a 1-1 and group situation and understand the guidelines for psychological care health and wellbeing, working from models of psychological wellness, the psychology of health, normal adjustment to illness and quality of life. The postholder will be highly motivated to provide person-centred and focused support.
Key Responsibilities
- To provide cancer information, by telephone, in writing, online and to people who call in to the centre.
- To respond to enquiries in a supportive, sensitive and timely manner, ensuring caller/client dignity and confidentiality.
- To record all activity using AdvicePro.
- To contribute to meeting standards and quality assurance measures, including impact evaluation across all services provided.
- To support the group coordinator with planning and co-facilitation of support groups, workshops/short courses, both in person and online for people impacted by cancer.
- To ensure group members and centre users are supported in sharing their cancer-related experiences in a safe and supportive environment while maintaining confidentiality.
- To undertake other duties within Care Services as required, representing Cancer Focus at outside venues when required e.g., at health fairs, health centres, libraries, the statutory sector and other agencies.
- To maintain ongoing professional development and up-to-date knowledge of cancer, including clinical, social and psychological issues.
- To help in the development and maintenance of a database to collect data which supports monitoring, evaluation and development of services in Cancer Focus NI.
- To be aware of national and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland campaigns and events likely to have an impact on helpline calls and general enquiries which clients may raise during group sessions and centre visits.
- To screen journals and disseminate relevant information.
- To attend meetings as appropriate.
- To attend six-weekly clinical supervision, contributing towards self-awareness and development, good standards of practice and good team relations.
- To work within the guidelines of the Code of Professional Conduct for your regulatory body.
- To work collaboratively and in partnership with all members of the Cancer Focus NI Multidisciplinary Team to help achieve the organisations aims and objectives, and to ensure service users who support the charity (e.g. with fundraising, communications team, etc.) are supported.
- To provide support and information, both formal and informal support and information to staff and volunteers working for and with Cancer Focus NI.
- To support the review and development of Cancer Focus policies as required.
- To ensure work is undertaken in line with Cancer Focus NI policies and procedures.
- To undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required.
This post may require occasional evening or weekend work and will require an element of flexible working. This Job Description is not exhaustive. It merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the changing requirements of the charity at any time after discussion with the post holder.
Person Specification
The below specification shows the essential skills, abilities, knowledge and/or qualifications required to be able to carry out the duties of this post. Therefore, please address in a covering letter, each criterion listed in the specification, drawing upon all of your experience, whether at work or on a voluntary basis.
Essential Criteria
- Qualifications & Experience
- Registered with a professional body.
- At least three years post-qualification experience.
- Experience working with people with cancer.
- Demonstrable ability to develop and build good working relationships with individuals and organisations.
- Knowledge
- Knowledge of Northern Ireland cancer strategies.
- Knowledge of cancer support services.
- Skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage a varied workload.
- Ability to work with participants with complex emotional and psychological needs.
- IT proficiency, including the use of spreadsheets and databases.
- Personal Qualities
- Committed to supporting people affected by cancer.
- Empathetic and supportive.
- Ability to use own initiative and strive for continuous improvement.
- Ability to work well within a team.
- Qualifications & Experience
- Experience of group facilitation.
- Degree in a relevant field.
- Skills & Knowledge
- Knowledge of cancer tumour sites and treatments.
- Ability to plan, develop and facilitate groups.
Other
Applicants will hold a full, current driving licence with business insurance and access to the use of a car, or have access to an alternative method of transport to carry out the duties of the post (mileage is paid at the prevailing HMRC rate where an own vehicle is used for distances beyond base).
Desirable Criteria
Additional Information
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Successful applicants must provide proof of their right to work in the UK. (This will be evidenced in the first instance by being in possession of a British or Irish passport or a valid UK work permit). The activities of this role meet the Access NI definition of regulated activity relating to working with adults and children as outlined in the Access NI Code of Practice. Cancer Focus NI will obtain an Access NI Enhanced Adult Barred List check, and/or Enhanced Children's Barred List check for the successful candidate. Applicants who have a criminal record will be treated fairly and will not be discriminated against because of a conviction or other information revealed. Applicants with criminal records will be reviewed in line with Cancer Focus Northern Ireland's policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders. If there is any reason you cannot work in regulated activity, you must disclose this to us. Cancer Focus Northern Ireland has a written policy on the secure handling, use, storage and retention of disclosure information. Satisfactory reference checks. Evidence of relevant academic and professional qualifications. Evidence of appropriate vehicle documentation (i.e. driving licence and insurance cover) must be provided where the role necessitates travel on company business when using their own vehicle.
Disability
Cancer Focus NI is an Equal Opportunities Employer and all applications are dealt with in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act. A person is disabled if they have, or have had, a physical or mental impairment which has, or has had, a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day to day activities. If you consider yourself to have a disability relevant to the position for which you are applying, please contact us so that we can process your application fairly, make any specific arrangements for your interview, and make any necessary reasonable adjustments or adaptations, or provide any aids to assist you in completing the duties of the post if appointed.
Equal Opportunities
Cancer Focus NI is an Equal Opportunities Employer and all applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.
Application Process
The closing date/time for submission of CV and cover letter is 5.00pm, 5th August 2026. Interviews: w/c 10th August 2026 (via Microsoft Teams). We are often unable to offer alternative interview dates. If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV and cover letter before this date/time to: or, mailed to: Human Resources, Cancer Focus NI, 6th Floor Montgomery House, 29-33 Montgomery Street, Belfast BT1 4NX. We cannot accept applications received after the closing date/time.
Guidance Notes on Applying for our role
Please ensure your CV is up-to-date and accurate. Cancer Focus NI will not make assumptions from the title of your post(s) or the nature of any employing organisation(s) as to your skills and experience gained. If you do not provide sufficient detail, including the appropriate dates needed to meet any eligibility criteria, your application may be rejected. ONLY the details provided by you in your CV and cover letter will be used for determining your eligibility for the post/shortlisting purposes.
Sessional Cancer Support Specialist employer: Cancer Focus Northern Ireland
Cancer Focus NI is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located in the heart of Enniskillen, our Therapeutic Cancer Support Centre fosters a collaborative culture where staff are encouraged to develop their skills while making a meaningful impact in the community. With generous benefits including enhanced leave, a contributory pension scheme, and a commitment to equal opportunities, we empower our employees to thrive both personally and professionally.
Contact Details:
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sessional Cancer Support Specialist
✨Network with Local Healthcare Professionals
Getting a temporary role in health sciences administration is all about who you know! Hit up local healthcare meetups or professional gatherings to make connections. Chat with people already in the field; they might know about temporary gigs at places like Cancer Focus Northern Ireland before they even hit the job boards!
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you're still studying or recently graduated, don’t forget about your university's career services. They often have exclusive links to temporary roles in health administration—it's a goldmine for finding opportunities that might not be advertised publicly. Plus, they can help you polish your interview skills!
✨Use Online Job Boards Wisely
When hunting for temporary roles, make sure you’re using job boards that cater specifically to health administration. Websites like NHS Jobs or HealthCareers might have listings for roles at Cancer Focus Northern Ireland. Set up alerts for new postings, so you jump on any opportunities as soon as they come up!
✨Showcase Your Adaptability in Interviews
Temporary roles often require you to hit the ground running. Use your interviews to highlight any past experiences where you’ve had to adapt quickly, whether it’s in a volunteer position or a past job. This will show Cancer Focus Northern Ireland you’re ready to step in and make an immediate impact!
We think you need these skills to ace Sessional Cancer Support Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Health Sciences Knowledge:When applying for the Sessional Cancer Support Specialist at Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, make sure to showcase any relevant courses or degrees you have in health sciences or related fields. This background helps to demonstrate that you understand the sector and can hit the ground running in a temporary role.
Emphasise Administrative Skills:Since this is an administrative role, it’s essential to highlight your organisational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency with software commonly used in health sciences administration. Mention any specific tools or systems you’ve used, as these can really make you stand out to Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:As this is a temporary role, brevity is key. Make sure your CV is succinct and focuses on your most relevant experiences. Highlight your ability to adapt quickly and learn on the job, which is crucial in a short-term position like this.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your enthusiasm for the health sciences sector and your interest in the specific tasks you'd be handling at Cancer Focus Northern Ireland. Being clear about why you're the perfect fit for a temporary position will help demonstrate your motivation and readiness to contribute.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Focus Northern Ireland
✨Brush Up on Health Regulations
Given that you're diving into health sciences administration, make sure you're well-versed in the latest health regulations and compliance standards. It’s a temporary role, so showing that you’re up to speed with current guidelines will highlight your readiness to hit the ground running for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
In health sciences administration, organisational skills are key. Prepare examples of how you’ve managed multiple tasks or handled administrative challenges in the past. Be ready to speak about your tools—whether that's a particular software or a method of project management—that you use to keep everything in check.
✨Tailor Your Motivation to the Temporary Nature
As this is a temporary position, it’s essential to express your enthusiasm for the role during the interview. Talk about what you aim to learn and how you see this experience fitting into your overall career goals. Employers love to see that you’re eager to contribute, even if it's just for a short time!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
You might also encounter scenario-based questions during your interview. Be ready to demonstrate how you'd handle specific administrative challenges in a health setting. Think about common situations in health sciences and formulate your responses beforehand, so you come off as calm and capable when it counts.
