Faster Diagnostics Non-clinical Navigator

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 4 Non-clinical (administrative) Navigator to support patients referred with suspected GI cancer within the Urgent Suspected Cancer GI Team. You will track patients from referral through to diagnosis, coordinate referrals, triage, and book clinic appointments.

You will be a key contact for patients, respond to queries, liaise with primary and secondary care teams, and work closely with the admin and nursing staff to deliver a

Qualifications

• Previous experience of working in NHS/social care
• Knowledge of Trust's IT systems such as EPR/infoflex/CRIS
• Knowledge of cancer diagnostic pathways

Responsibilities

• Triage incoming calls and emails from patients using protocols and initiate appropriate responses.
• Coordinate transitions of care between service teams internally, or back to the referring GP.
• Attend the daily directorate/specialty cancer meetings.
• Provide basic telephone advice where appropriate and signpost other sources of support.
• Monitor, audit, and report on response times for access to specialist review.
• Support information prescription delivery in consultation with health professionals and according to any agreed information pathways, including printing of information.
• Signpost to a range of agreed information and support resources.
• Collaborate and work closely with local providers of validated and high-quality information resources, and user groups.
• Evaluate the range of channels used to provide information resources and review, with all stakeholders, the need for further developments.
• Track patients through pathways and elevate delays to clinical/non -clinical staff.
• Make pre planned outbound telephone calls to patients under the guidance of the registered practitioner.
• Have an awareness of the impact of 'bad news' when given a life threatening/life changing diagnosis for some patients which can be distressing.
• Inform patients and carers who and how to make contact with when they feel that their condition or needs have changed, as appropriate including what to do out of hours. Support and coordination of the Faster diagnostic service.

Job description

The Urgent Suspected Cancer GI Team is seeking an enthusiastic Band 4 Non-clinical (administrative) Navigator to join the team, supporting patients referred with suspected GI cancer. The team supports Faster Diagnosis Standard to promote earlier diagnosis of or to rule out cancer. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of a new role within the gastroenterology and endoscopy diagnostic pathway. In this role, you will be responsible for tracking patients from referral through to diagnosis, coordinating referrals, triaging, and booking clinic appointments. You will be a point of contact for the patient and respond to queries and concerns or redirect to the clinical staff as appropriate. You will play a key role in liaising with healthcare professionals across primary and secondary care and working very closely with the current administrative and nursing team.

Main duties of the job

NHS England has developed a programme to establish a Faster Diagnosis Standard to promote earlier diagnosis of or to rule out cancer. Best practice time pathways have been developed to meet the FDS with the aim of shortening cancer diagnosis pathways. This role will work as part of the FDS team, under the guidance and supervision of the FDS leads and the GI Nurse Practitioners, to enable and support patients who are on the Faster Diagnostic (FDS) pathway. The navigator will be able to access resources and services which will help patients to a more efficient and speedy diagnosis of cancer or benign disease. The post holder has responsibility under supervision to provide a professional, comprehensive, and efficient administrative service, which is effectively delivered to all patients in line with the Faster Diagnostic Service guidance.

1. Triage incoming calls and emails from patients using protocols and initiate appropriate responses based on appropriate tools and procedures.
2. Support with the coordination of the necessary assessments, investigations, and appointments to fast-track patients for specialist review.
3. Attend the daily directorate/specialty cancer meetings.
4. Provide basic telephone advice where appropriate and sign post other sources of support.
5. Monitor, audit, and report on response times for access to specialist review.
6. Support information prescription delivery in consultation with health professionals and according to any agreed information pathways, including printing of information.
7. Signpost to a range of agreed information and support resources.
8. Collaborate and work closely with local providers of validated and high-quality information resources, and user groups.
9. Evaluate the range of channels used to provide information resources and review, with all stakeholders, the need for further developments.
10. Track patients through pathways and elevate delays to clinical/non -clinical staff.
11. Make pre planned outbound telephone calls to patients under the guidance of the registered practitioner.
12. Have an awareness of the impact of 'bad news' when given a life threatening/life changing diagnosis for some patients which can be distressing.
13. Inform patients and carers who and how to make contact with when they feel that their condition or needs have changed, as appropriate including what to do out of hours. Support and coordination of the Faster diagnostic service.

Support and coordination of the Faster diagnostic service

1. Work in conjunction with the admin and clerical team responsible for the 2WW suspected cancer pathway.
2. Coordinate transitions of care between service teams internally, or back to the referring GP.
3. Communicate effectively with relevant MDT's and clinical teams to ensure that all patients are identified for coordinated support as assessed by health professionals.
4. To ensure that joint working and close co-operation is developed and maintained with staff both internal and external (e.g. GP surgeries), providing the clinical/operational services in order to maintain a complete and seamless service to patients, especially when transitioning to and from Faster Diagnostic pathway.
5. Arranging investigations, ensuring that these have been performed, results received and reviewed by the relevant clinician and filing/redirection of all investigation results as appropriate, escalating any results to the relevant agreed persons.
6. Use of EPR as part of the letter generation process to send letters to patients clarifying the next step on their pathway. Responsibility for ensuring that all letters for the specialities are sent out within the defined turnaround time and being pro-active in ensuring this is adhered to.
7. Be responsible for the regular monitoring, auditing, and reporting of compliance with the Faster Diagnostic Service in line with the governance protocols.
8. Contribute to clinical/IT teams reviews of implementation issues of the Faster Diagnostic Service and support and contribute to solution identification and resolution.
9. Provide full administrative support to the relevant consultants, specialist registrars, advanced nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and cancer support workers.
10. Be an integral part of the Faster Diagnostic Service multidisciplinary team (MDT). Maintaining accurate and validated FDC /cancer database(s) as required.
11. Participating in meetings when requested by the FDC Lead Nurse, Nurse Specialist.
12. Develop excellent working relationships with departments which deliver diagnostic services including radiology, endoscopy, and pathology to coordinate the patient's diagnostic journey.

Other Duties

1. Undertake general administrative duties including filing, typing, photocopying, arrangement of meetings, taking minutes and dealing with general communication. 2. To comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act, Access to Health Records and legislation issued in relation to confidential data. 3. Any other duties as directed by the FDS lead. This may cover a wide range of duties including providing cover for other team's roles at or below this band. 4. Takes personal responsibility for life-long learning and personal development through a range of activities including mandatory training, clinical supervision, and appraisal and actively engages with learning and development opportunities offered by the Trust.

Desirable criteria

1. Previous experience of working in NHS/social care
2. Knowledge of Trust's IT systems such as EPR/infoflex/CRIS
3. Knowledge of cancer diagnostic pathways and treatment pathways

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment. If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Sexual Safety Charter: In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment. If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.