MDT Assistant | Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 05 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £24,937 - £26,598 pro rata |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 05 October 2025 |
| Location: | Bedford, MK42 9DJ |
| Company: | Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7458201/418-COR8201-MR |
Summary
The post holder will be a member of the Cancer Team responsible for the administration of the out-patient pathway in line with national targets.
The post holder will assist in collecting Cancer Waiting Time (CWT) data for their nominated tumour site, with a particular focus on the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS). They will utilise the Trust’s existing tracking and electronic recording systems to ensure that patients do not breach any current or future national targets. Working as part of the wider Cancer Services Team, the individual will support cross-cover arrangements during periods of annual or sickness leave, helping to maintain continuity of service across all site-specific tumour MDTs, as directed by the MDT Co-ordinators. They will also ensure all patient pathways are managed in line with government targets for outpatient services and the Choose & Book system. Accurate and timely data entry is essential, with the post holder responsible for maintaining the integrity of outpatient pathway data, identifying and correcting any discrepancies as necessary.
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job
Key Responsibilities
• Book appointments in line with national guidelines.
• Support the triage process and monitor the timeliness of the Consultant’s triage across all services.
• Liaise with diagnostic services when booking Straight to Test (STT) Pathways.
• Assist with the “bounce back” process for incomplete referrals.
• Communicate with patients, colleagues, and internal/external contacts in a courteous, professional, and timely manner (via telephone, written correspondence, and face-to-face).
• Assist in monitoring performance against agreed Waiting Time Targets for diagnosis and treatment for patients on a Cancer Pathway, as directed by the MDT Co-ordinators.
• Support the MDT Co-ordinators in managing and tracking patients through every stage of the pathway to ensure diagnostic tests and treatments are completed within target timelines.
• Develop an understanding of Cancer Waiting Time Targets (28/31/62-day standards).
• Gain knowledge of patient pathways for assigned tumour sites.
• Check outcomes for patients attending outpatient clinics under Two Week Wait referrals and support timely booking of required tests.
• Liaise with Radiology and Outpatients Booking Teams to ensure efficient pathways for cancer patients.
• Escalate potential breaches or delays in pathways to MDT Co-ordinators or, in their absence, the Cancer Services Manager.
• Support the MDT Co-ordinators and clinical teams in:
• Collating, validating, and entering patient information onto the Somerset Cancer Registry (daily).
• Keeping waiting time information updated for monthly submissions to Open Exeter.
• Collecting mandatory dataset items relevant to tumour-specific requirements.
• Cross-covering and ensuring continuity of service across all MDTs.
• Covering work during staff absence or annual leave, as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the MDT Co-ordinators or Cancer Services Manager.
• Handle queries from consultants and other Trust staff, using initiative and escalating when necessary.
• Maintain an excellent telephone manner to ensure clear and professional communication.
• Prioritise workload efficiently within set work patterns, raising any concerns with the Cancer Manager or Deputy.
• Work flexibly across the department as needed.
• Enter and retrieve data from hospital systems.
• Conduct data quality validation under supervision.
This advert closes on Thursday 18 Sep 2025