Cancer Care Pathway Navigator & Patient Liaison

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Patient Pathway Navigator to support cancer pathways by coordinating investigations and appointments and by acting as a first point of contact for patient queries. You will work within the cancer team to monitor waiting times, prepare and facilitate MDT meetings, and provide empathy and signposting to onward services.

This fixed term role supports timely patient care and requires good knowledge of NHS processes and patient data

Qualifications

• Essential criteria include administrative experience at vocational level 3 or equivalent.
• Diploma level 4 or equivalent knowledge in medical terminology.
• Experience in NHS settings with broad specialty knowledge.
• Experience in pathway coordination/navigation role or similar.
• Proficient use of hospital computerised patient systems.
• Experience in patient or customer facing roles with rapport building.

Responsibilities

• Navigate and chase diagnostic investigations and appointments for cancer patients within timeframes.
• Act as first point of contact for patient queries related to cancer pathways.
• Communicate with patients and families regarding upcoming appointments and next steps.
• Be knowledgeable on cancer waiting time standards and ensure timed pathways.
• Work with MDT coordinator as required.
• Prepare and facilitate weekly cancer PTL meetings and record outcomes in the Somerset cancer database.
• Attend weekly MDT meeting and take necessary actions.
• Develop and maintain office and administrative systems to support the cancer team.
• Review waiting times, escalate delays and breaches as needed.
• Coordinate with MDT staff, booking teams, and clinical staff for pathway issues.
• Access results and information using electronic hospital systems.
• Promote patient-centered care and build good relations with patients and carers.
• Provide empathy and signpost to further services and CNS teams as appropriate.
• Support transfers of patient care to other organisations or teams following IPT processes.
• Ensure minimum data set is received from external trusts for MDT discussion and treatment.
• Escalate bottlenecks to cancer services manager and/or services.
• Cross-cover colleagues during annual leave or sickness.
• Identify patients who DNA’d tests or appointments and manage accordingly.

Skills

Administrative experience

Medical terminology

NHS experience

Pathway coordination/navigation

Hospital information systems

Customer facing

Education

Diploma level 4 or equivalent

Job description

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Patient Pathway Navigator to support cancer pathways by coordinating investigations and appointments and by acting as a first point of contact for patient queries. You will work within the cancer team to monitor waiting times, prepare and facilitate MDT meetings, and provide empathy and signposting to onward services.

This fixed term role supports timely patient care and requires good knowledge of NHS processes and patient data