Support Worker Job Summary
We are seeking a self-driven highly organised Support Worker with excellent communication skills to join our Haemato-Oncology Diagnostic Service (HODS) on the Royal Liverpool Hospital site. HODS facilitates the diagnosis of leukaemia/lymphoma, both for the Trust and as part of the regional service, covering Merseyside and Cheshire. The role of the Cancer Support Worker is to help ensure clinical pathways are proactively followed, ensuring that cancer waiting times standards are achieved and, crucially, that patients receive their treatment in a timely and efficient way. You will be involved in liaising with laboratory, clinical and administrative teams, both within the Trust and tertiary centres to assist with coordinating investigations, results and treatments. As a main point of contact for healthcare professionals, you will ensure the joining up of services, coordination, information and communication between all creating a seamless experience of care.
The Support Worker will work closely with medical, scientific & clerical staff across the region.
Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week, 08:30 – 17:00 Mon – Fri.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will be working within HODS, assisting in streamlining the current referral and reporting processes and improving the travel of information in and out HODS service.
Key duties of the role:
Act as the initial point of contact for escalated HODS results on suspected cancer specimens within Liverpool Clinical Laboratories (LCL) and HODS.
Review and map referral processes into HODS from external referrers to ensure users receive diagnostic reports within TATs.
Effective outstanding worklist monitoring; chasing and escalating all diagnostics tests requested by clinicians until the point a cancer has been diagnosed or excluded.
Proactively track samples from when they arrive at HODS to when they leave. Highlight any blockers or delays in the process, identify patients who are likely to breach their 28-day cancer waiting time target and escalate appropriately.
Deal promptly with email and telephone enquiries from service users.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with a range of HODS users in the caner network, ensuring all patients on a cancer pathway are identified and tracked.
Prepare/gather reports & slides for Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) review and attend weekly MDT meetings.
Help ensure adherence to retention regulations such as filing, retrieval and dissemination of diagnostic material
Perform basic specimen reception duties as and when required.
Common Interview Questions for a Support Worker Role
- Tell me about yourself and why you want to be a support worker.
- Sample: “I have 3 years’ experience supporting adults with learning disabilities in a residential setting. I’m passionate about promoting independence and dignity, inspired by a family member who received excellent care. I’m drawn to this role because your service focuses on community inclusion, which aligns with my values.”
- What does ‘person-centred care’ mean to you?
- Sample: “It means tailoring support to the individual’s needs, preferences, and goals—not a one-size-fits-all approach. For example, asking ‘How would you like to do this?’ rather than assuming.”
2. Experience & Skills
- Describe a time you supported someone to achieve a goal.
- STAR method:
Situation: Client wanted to cook independently.
Task: Reduce risks while building confidence.
Action: Created a visual recipe, supervised first attempt, gradually reduced support.
Result: Client now cooks 3 meals/week independently.
- STAR method:
- How do you handle challenging behaviour?
- Sample: “I stay calm, use de-escalation (e.g., low tone, open body language), and follow the person’s behaviour support plan. Last month, I redirected a client fixated on leaving by offering a preferred activity—preventing escalation.”
- Give an example of maintaining confidentiality.
- Sample: “I never discuss clients outside work, even anonymously. I once noticed a colleague sharing details in a café—I reminded them of GDPR and reported it via the whistleblowing policy.”
3. Safeguarding & Safety
- What would you do if you suspected abuse?
- Sample: “Follow local safeguarding policy—document concerns (who, what, when), report immediately to my manager/designated officer, and contact adult social care if urgent. I’d reassure the person they’ve done the right thing by telling me.”
- How do you ensure health & safety (e.g., moving and handling)?
- Sample: “I’m trained in manual handling and always use equipment (e.g., hoist) per the risk assessment. I double-check slings and involve the client in planning to maintain dignity.”
4. Values & Emotional Resilience
- How do you manage stress in this role?
- Sample: “I use supervision, reflective practice, and exercise. After a tough shift, I debrief with my supervisor to process emotions and improve.”
- How do you promote equality, diversity, and inclusion?
- Sample: “I adapt communication—e.g., using Makaton for non-verbal clients or translating materials. I challenge discrimination respectfully, like correcting a colleague who used outdated language.”
5. Scenario-Based Questions
- A client refuses personal care. What do you do?
- Sample: “I’d explore why (e.g., dignity, timing), offer choices (e.g., ‘Would you prefer morning or afternoon?’), and respect their right to refuse unless it risks harm—then escalate to manager.”
- You notice a medication error. Your action?
- Sample: “Stop administration if safe, inform the nurse/manager immediately, complete an incident form, and monitor the client. Transparency prevents harm.”
6. Questions to Ask the Interviewer (Show enthusiasm!)
- “What does a typical day look like for your support workers?”
- “How does the team support staff wellbeing and development?”
- “What are the biggest challenges the service currently faces?”
Quick Tips for UK Interviews
- Reference the 6 Cs: Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, Commitment.
- Know CQC KLOEs: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-led.
- Bring: Updated CV, DBS certificate, training certificates (e.g., Care Certificate, MCA/DoLS).
To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.