The role of Community Cancer Support Specialist is an important one in Purple House as you will be a vital player in the community expansion and development of our Cancer Support Services. 

Reporting to: The Community Cancer Support Specialist reports to the Director of Operations & CEO

Key responsibilities include: To be the first point of contact for people wishing to avail of Purple House’s services.  To conduct intake assessments and onboard people to Purple House’s programmes.  To be a therapeutic listening ear to people who are in need of support.  To build effective relationships with our medical, community and social care partners.   To participate in the growth of Purple House in line with our strategic plan. 

Contract Type: Fixed term contract. 

Working Hours: Part time role. 25 Hrs per week.  

MAIN DUTIES: 

Cancer Support Duties include: 

• Work with the Director of Operations to create and implement an operational plan to ensure families in your area receive Purple House support.
• Ensure service provision meets the needs of adults, children, young people, and families, and appropriately allocate resources based on priority.
• Provide high-quality care based on the assessed needs of individuals and families within the whole family concept.
• Maintain confidential and accurate case records for all direct work with individuals and families receiving Purple House services.
• Deliver scheduled support plans in partnership with individuals and families, adhering to a rights-based approach.
• Offer engaging, age-appropriate support to individuals and families in the community.
• Prepare written reports to an agreed standard, reviewing individual and group work to measure and demonstrate impact and outcomes.
• Contribute to the development of new ideas and proposals as services expand within the community.
• Collaborate effectively as part of the client care team.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with Multi-Disciplinary Teams at relevant hospitals and shared care centres. 

Compliance Duties include:  

• Submit accurate data as specified by the Director of Operations on a predetermined schedule.
• Ensure awareness of and adherence to all Purple House policies and procedures that govern service delivery and apply to the entire organisation. 

General Duties: 

• To attend weekly client clinical meetings, prepare material and fully contribute to casework discussions
• To be available for planning, review, supervision, support and appraisal meetings.
• To be available for on-going professional development / training opportunities and to attend all mandatory training.
• To promote Purple House Cancer Support services available to adults, children and young people and their families, in a range of community based settings such as hospitals, community organisations, schools etc.
• To represent Purple House Cancer Support as delegated by the Director of Operations.
• To perform any other reasonable duties and specific projects deemed to be within the post-holder’s competence, as assigned by management to contribute to the overall aims of Purple House Cancer Support. 

COMPETENCIES. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:  

• 3rd level qualification in nursing, counselling, psychotherapy, social care or similar field
• Oncology-related training or Postgraduate Course (desirable)
• Compassionate approach with a deep understanding of cancer
• Strong communication skills
• A person-centred approach 

Employee Benefits: 

• Competitive salary based on agreed working hours. 
• Group pension scheme (Upon completion of probation period)
• Life Assurance Cover (Upon completion of probation period)
• 21 Days Annual Leave (Pro rata for this part time role) 

 At Purple House we have a duty of care to all our Staff, Therapists and Volunteers to provide staff support and supervision on an ongoing basis to help you deal effectively with the emotional impact of your Role in a Community Cancer Support Centre.   

The services that are available to our teams include the following: 

• Weekly Relaxation Classes for Staff
• Use of our gym facilities after hours
• One to One and group supervision to support you with your work
• Annual team building days

Please note that Garda vetting will be a requirement for this position.