Cancer Pathway Navigator

Manchester University Nhs Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is seeking a Cancer Pathway Navigator to provide a comprehensive administrative service and supervise staff within the team. The role supports patients from referral through treatment, working closely with medical and nursing teams to ensure smooth pathways.

The position requires excellent communication, data handling, and knowledge of clinical workflows; NHS IT systems experience is beneficial.

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE level with a minimum of five GCSEs or equivalent qualification/experience.
• Basic Communication Skills Training (e.g. Sage & Thyme) or willingness to undertake.
• Desirable NVQ 2/3 in Health or Social Care or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Communicate effectively with staff at all levels and work both autonomously and in a team.
• Engage with patients daily about their care and next steps in the pathway.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and strong organisational skills to manage changing priorities.
• Utilise MS software and contribute to data collection and reporting.
• Have understanding of clinical pathways and medical terminology in a hospital setting.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

MS software

Data collection

Clinical pathways

Education

GCSE level or equivalent

Tools

PAS

CRIS

SCR

Job description

Job summary

MFT are responsible for running a family of nine hospitals across six separate sites, providing a wide range of services from comprehensive local general hospital care through to highly specialised regional and national services. We are the main provider of hospital care to approximately 750,000 people in Manchester and Trafford and the single biggest provider of specialised services in the North West of England. We are also the lead provider for a significant number of specialised services including Breast Care, Vascular, Cardiac, Respiratory, Urology, Cancer, Paediatrics, Women's Services, Ophthalmology and Genomic Medicine. Our vision is to improve the health and quality of life of our diverse population by building an organisation that:

• Excels in quality, safety, patient experience, research, innovation and teaching
• Attracts, develops and retains great people
• Is recognised internationally as a leading healthcare provider

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and well‑motivated individual to work within our Gynaecology Division as Cancer Pathway Navigator to provide a comprehensive, professional and effective administrative service and to supervisor and monitor the staff within their team. This role is crucial for looking after our patients from when they are initially referred to our Service by working closely with our Medical and Nursing Teams, until their treatment with us is concluded.

Main duties of the job

• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills as they will need to liaise with staff at all levels. Work well as part of a larger team as well as have the ability to work autonomously, be able to multi‑task and be flexible in their approach.
• Engage and communicate with patients on a daily basis regarding their care with us and the next steps in their pathway.
• Demonstrate attention to detail; exceptional organisational skills and be able to manage changing priorities as they arise, in a calm and professional manner to ensure the smooth running and efficient service.
• Have a good working knowledge of MS software, data collection skills.
• Have previous knowledge of working in a relevant hospital based role and have an understanding of clinical pathways and medical terminology

In return we offer a rewarding role that offers challenge but also support from your team manager with training opportunities identified and offered in order to support your ongoing development and the chance to be a part of an exciting and dynamic team. If you are looking for a new challenge, enjoy variety in your work and wish to be part of a team striving to make a difference then we want to hear from you.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe - a great place to shape your career.With a workforce of over 30,000 colleagues, we work together to deliver exceptional care to more than 1 million people every year.Behind every patient cared for are people like you - keeping services running smoothly, supporting clinical teams, and helping create safe, welcoming environments for patients and our people alike.At MFT, we believe in the power of teamwork, respect, and inclusion. Our People Plan reflects our commitment to making MFT a place where everyone feels they belong, where your ideas are heard, and your contribution is truly valued. Join us and work smarter with our digital technology and thrive in a collaborative culture that empowers you to deliver your best to ensure that your work behind the scenes creates seamless, high‑quality care and exceptional patient outcomes.Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, we offer clear pathways for development and a culture that supports your wellbeing, ambition, and success. Everything you do makes a real difference to the lives of others.At MFT, your role matters, your impact is real, and you're part of something bigger from day one.

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others.Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

• Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
• Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.
• Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to GCSE level with a minimum of five GCSEs or equivalent qualification/ experience
• Basic Communication Skills Training (e.g. Sage & Thyme) or willingness to undertake

Desirable

• NVQ 2/3 In Health or Social Care or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with multidisciplinary teams and in Isolation.
• Experience of patient or customer engagement
• Experience of data entry
• Proven experience of working to tight and strict deadlines. Management of complex administrative process.

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in social care
• Previous experience of working in the NHS
• Track record of influencing & engaging staff
• Working across organisational boundaries
• Experience of extracting data from NHS IT systems
• Previous use of Somerset Cancer database

Knowledge

Essential

• Computer literate with good knowledge and understanding of computer packages; e.g. Microsoft Office
• Knowledge and experience of using the Trusts IT systems; e.g. PAS, CRIS, SCR etc
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective organisational and administrative skills with ability to prioritize workload
• Ability to communicate at all levels and in difficult circumstances
• Ability to use own initiative
• Ability to work under pressure and remain calm in difficult situations

Desirable

• Knowledge of cancer and the cancer diagnosis and treatment pathways
• Ability to retrieve information from a wide range of sources and in different formats
• Knowledge of relevant cancer treatments, interventions and terminology

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.