Job overview

Make a meaningful difference to life beyond cancer

A cancer diagnosis can affect every aspect of a person's life — from their ability to work, care for their family and maintain independence, to their confidence, relationships and emotional wellbeing.  The Cancer Wellbeing Service (CWS) provides support to adults affected by cancer, helping them manage the challenges of diagnosis and treatment and find ways to live as well as possible. We are looking for a compassionate, motivated and forward-thinking Occupational Therapist to join our specialist team and help patients regain confidence, maximise independence and improve their quality of life.  This is an opportunity to use your Occupational Therapy expertise in a supportive, holistic and evolving service, where the focus is not only on cancer and its treatment, but on the person living with it.

About the role

As a Band 6 Cancer Wellbeing Specialist Occupational Therapist, you will play a key role in supporting people to manage the physical, practical, cognitive and emotional /psychological impact of cancer and its treatment.

You will work with patients experiencing challenges such as cancer-related fatigue, poor sleep,  changes in physical function, anxiety, low mood, poor confidence and self-esteem, which are impacting on their quality of life, valued roles and routines, as well as uncertainty around work. 

Working as part of the multidisciplinary Cancer Wellbeing Service, you will provide specialist Occupational Therapy assessment and interventions tailored to individual needs, helping patients identify meaningful goals and develop practical strategies to manage the impact of cancer on daily life.  Interventions can be both individual or within therapeutic groups.

You will also contribute to the continued development of the service, working collaboratively with colleagues to ensure patients receive coordinated, person-centred support.

About you

·         We are looking for an Occupational Therapist who is passionate about enabling people to live well despite the challenges of cancer and its treatment.

·         You will bring a person-centred approach, strong clinical reasoning and the ability to recognise how physical symptoms, emotional wellbeing, personal circumstances and changing life roles can interact.

·         You will be able to work independently, build therapeutic relationships and adapt your approach to meet the individual needs of patients. You will also enjoy working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and contributing ideas to improve the support we offer.

Why join the Cancer Wellbeing Service?

This is an opportunity to work in a service that recognises the person behind the diagnosis and the importance of supporting people with the wider impact of cancer.  You will be joining a supportive team committed to providing compassionate, holistic support, helping patients navigate the challenges of treatment and recovery, manage ongoing symptoms and maintain the activities and relationships that matter to them.

You will have the opportunity to:

Develop your specialist knowledge and skills in cancer rehabilitation and wellbeing.

Make a tangible difference to patients' independence, confidence and quality of life.

Work alongside colleagues with complementary skills and expertise.

Contribute to the development of patient education, group-based support and practical wellbeing resources.

Help shape a service that responds to the changing needs of people affected by cancer.

Main duties of the job

·       Undertake holistic Occupational Therapy assessments, identifying the impact of cancer and its treatment on daily activities, independence, participation and quality of life.

·         Develop personalised intervention plans that enable patients to maximise independence, maintain meaningful occupations and adapt to changes in their abilities.

·         Support patients experiencing cancer-related fatigue through energy conservation, activity management, pacing, prioritisation and graded approaches to everyday activities.

·         Facilitate therapeutic groups such as Managing Fatigue, What Now – Life After Cancer, and Relaxation and Mindfulness.

·         Help patients explore self-help strategies, provide practical advice, and education for managing anxiety, low mood, low confidence, changes in concentration, memory, physical function and daily routines.

·         Support patients to maintain or regain valued roles, including family responsibilities, social activities, leisure pursuits and employment.

·         Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Cancer Wellbeing Service, contributing to holistic assessment, appropriate onward referral and coordinated patient support.

·         Contribute to the development of group interventions and wellbeing initiatives that respond to the needs of the people using the service.

·         Maintain accurate clinical records, contribute to service evaluation and support the delivery of safe, effective and evidence-based care.

·         Work autonomously within your professional scope of practice, recognising when specialist advice or onward referral is required.

Working for our organisation

Priority will be given to colleagues identified as at risk through the Trust’s redeployment process.