North Bristol NHS Trust
Support Worker Job Summary
Specialising in patients with breast cancer, the Cancer Support Worker works as part of the cancer care team, alongside registered Practitioners to help improve and provide a personalised care and support package for patients and their families, supporting and signposting with the aim to facilitate a self-managed approach and a firm understanding of their cancer pathway.
As a Cancer Support Worker you can offer practical and emotional support, signpost and provide information around lifestyle changes such as diet and physical activity, and assist with benefits referrals and psychological support.
The Breast Care Centre is a busy unit with a friendly atmosphere and is an important part of North Bristol NHS Trust – we also support Breast Services at Weston Hospital so there may be some cross-site working.
Support Worker Main Duties
To work as an integral part of the Breast Cancer Specialist Nursing team in providing a patient centred approach to their cancer journey using the Personalised Care & Support model. The cancer support worker will promote access to support services and assess patients individual needs and requirements in a holistic way and will do this by
- Working alongside the Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Coordinating care by providing a single point of access
- Triaging patients, using a risk assessment framework and initiate appropriate response according to protocols
- Undertaking individual holistic needs assessments and care planning
- Providing basic face to face or telephone advice and refer on or sign-post to other sources of support
- Coordinating any necessary assessments
- Supporting information provision
- Guiding people through the use of self-assessment resources
- Participating in the organization, delivery and administration of the Health and Wellbeing events and courses and other patient education sessions
- Documenting and monitor all aspects of care coordination and service delivery, supporting data collection for audit.
Communication skills and adaptability are essential as is the ability to work as part of a team but also autonomously managing your own caseload of patients and using initiative, but also recognising your own personal limitations and boundaries.
Interview Questions for a Support Worker
- Motivational/general questions
- Behavioral/situational (using STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result)
- Values-based (NHS Constitution, 6 Cs: Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, Commitment)
- Safeguarding, safety, and person-centred care scenarios
General and Motivational Questions
- Tell me about yourself.
Keep it professional: Summarize relevant experience (e.g., previous care roles, volunteering), skills, and why you’re applying. Avoid personal life details unless relevant. - Why do you want to work as a Support Worker / in the NHS / healthcare?
Show passion for helping others, interest in person-centred care, and alignment with NHS values. Mention making a difference in patients’ lives or progression from prior roles. - What do you understand by the role of a Support Worker / Healthcare Assistant?
Emphasize assisting with daily living, personal care, observations, supporting registered staff, promoting dignity/independence, and working in multidisciplinary teams. - What skills and qualities make a good Support Worker?
Highlight empathy, patience, communication, reliability, teamwork, resilience, and respect for diversity. Give examples. - What can you bring to this role / team?
Link your experience, strengths (e.g., calm under pressure), and enthusiasm to the job description.
Behavioral and Situational Questions
- Tell me about a time you demonstrated compassion / one of the 6 Cs / NHS values.
Use STAR to describe a real example (e.g., comforting a distressed patient). - How would you handle a difficult / aggressive / confused patient or client?
Prioritize de-escalation, safety, communication, seeking help, and following policies (e.g., risk assessment). - What would you do if you suspected abuse, neglect, or safeguarding concerns?
Stress immediate reporting via proper channels (e.g., line manager, Safeguarding Lead), following policies, and not investigating yourself. - Describe a time you worked as part of a team.
Show collaboration, communication, and contribution to team goals. - How do you handle stressful situations or heavy workloads?
Mention prioritization, asking for support, self-care, and staying calm. - How would you promote dignity and respect in care?
Cover consent, privacy, cultural sensitivity, person-centred approaches, and confidentiality. - What would you do if a colleague wasn’t following procedures (e.g., infection control)?
Raise concerns privately first, escalate if needed (e.g., via Freedom to Speak Up), always prioritizing safety.