Referral Assessor

Cumbria Chamber MD; Barrow-in-Furness; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health organization in Barrow-in-Furness is seeking a Referral Assessor to conduct holistic assessments for individuals affected by cancer and bereavement. The role involves understanding client needs, ensuring compassionate care, and working with the Therapy Coordination Team to allocate appropriate therapeutic services. Candidates should have a background in health or social care, along with strong communication skills and relevant experience. This is an opportunity to make a positive impact in the community, with additional benefits included.

Benefits

Ongoing training and development

Flexible working hours

Supportive team environment

Additional employment benefits

Qualifications

• 2 years of relevant post-registration experience in a healthcare setting.
• Experience working with clients affected by cancer and bereavement.
• Ability to handle confidential information with sensitivity.

Responsibilities

• Conduct holistic assessments on clients.
• Provide clear explanations about the assessment process.
• Obtain necessary clinical and personal information.
• Upload assessment reports in a timely manner.
• Liaise with team members regarding therapy allocations.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Empathetic Approach

Decision Making

Digital Record-Keeping

Education

Health, Social Care, Counselling Background

Job description

The Referral Assessor will be a key member of the Therapy Coordination Team, responsible for delivering high-quality, holistic needs assessments for individuals affected by cancer, bereavement, or other life‑shortening conditions. This role supports the appropriate allocation of therapeutic services by identifying individual client needs and preferences, ensuring compassionate and objective care.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct holistic assessments (face‑to‑face, and occasionally by telephone or online) to explore the emotional, physical, and practical impacts of cancer and bereavement.
• Provide clients with clear explanations about the assessment process and ensure a sensitive, empathetic approach throughout.
• Through assessment, obtain appropriate clinical and personal information on the clients’ physical and emotional state so that objective and informed decisions can be made regarding therapy.
• Complete and upload assessment reports in a timely manner using CancerCare’s client information system (e.g., IMS).
• Liaise with the Head of Client Services and Therapy Coordination Team to ensure appropriate and approved therapy allocations following assessment outcomes.
• Deal effectively and sensitively with issues raised by clients during assessment, including safeguarding concerns.
• Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and cultural sensitivity at all times.
• Raise awareness of CancerCare’s available services as instructed by the Head of Client Services.

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend regular supervision with the Head of Client Services, team meetings, and relevant training sessions.
• Support the promotion and safeguarding of CancerCare’s reputation in the community.
• Adhere to organisational policies including safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection, equality and diversity, and health and safety.
• Perform additional tasks as reasonably directed by the Head of Client Services for the effective functioning of CancerCare.
• Adopt flexible working patterns to suit the needs of the clients.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of external organisations where clients can be signposted for support outside of CancerCare (e.g. Citizen’s Advice for financial services).

Skill Requirements

Person Specification

Essential

• Background in health, social care, counselling, or a related field.
• 2 years relevant post registration experience within an NHS or similar healthcare environment working with clients with physiological and psychological response to cancer, bereavement and other life‑shortening conditions.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with an empathetic and non‑judgmental approach.
• Ability to make informed decisions based on clinical and emotional information.
• Proficient in administrative tasks and digital record‑keeping systems.
• Flexible and able to work across multiple sites.
• Commitment to confidentiality and safeguarding best practices.

Desirable

• Knowledge of therapeutic services and cancer‑related support networks.
• Experience in conducting client assessments or triage.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of people affected by cancer and loss.
• A supportive, inclusive team environment.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Flexible working to support work‑life balance.
• Significant additional employment benefits.

To apply, email your completed application form and current CV to [e-mail] and the closing date is 2 January 2026. A satisfactory enhanced DBS is required and this will be funded by CancerCare.