Patient Pathway Navigator

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust; Southampton; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust in Southampton is seeking a Patient Pathway Navigator to support cancer pathways, coordinate diagnostic investigations, and communicate with patients and families about upcoming appointments.

The post involves working closely with Upper GI CNS teams, escalating operational issues, maintaining timely pathways, and helping to improve 28-day faster diagnosis and 62-day referral-to-treatment standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in administrative roles to vocational level 3 or equivalent.
• Good grounding in medical terminology and NHS workflow.
• Experience in an NHS setting with knowledge of cancer pathways is desirable.
• Experience in a pathway coordination/navigation role or similar.

Responsibilities

• Navigate and chase diagnostic investigations and appointments within time frames.
• Act as first point of contact for patient queries regarding cancer pathways.
• Communicate with patients and families about upcoming appointments and next steps.
• Be knowledgeable on cancer waiting time standards and ensure timed pathways.
• Assist MDT coordinators and prepare/record outcomes for cancer pathway patients.
• Attend weekly MDT meetings and help with actions where required.
• Develop and maintain admin systems to support the cancer team.
• Review waiting times and escalate delays or bottlenecks.

Skills

Administrative experience

Diploma level 4 equivalent

Medical terminology grounding

NHS setting experience

Pathway coordination/navigation

Education

Vocational Level 3 or equivalent

Diploma Level 4 or equivalent

Tools

Hospital computerised patient systems

Job description

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Patient Pathway Navigator

The closing date is 04 November 2026

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Title: Patient Pathway Navigator

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Purpose for Fixed Term: Short term funding

Under current Home Office rules, this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications.

Main duties of the job

As part of our team, you will have excellent communication skills and be able to proactively engage with patients and families. They will have robust understanding of cancer pathways and will be responsible for communicating directly with patients around up and coming appointments as well as being accessible to patients with any queries they may have.

The post holder will be working closely with the Upper GI CNS's and will be responsible for coordinating patient' appointments, ensuring the timeliness of investigation and monitor the progress of the patient' journey. The navigator will be pivotal in escalating operational issues and maximising available capacity by providing feedback to both clinical and nonclinical staff working towards achievement of the 28-day faster diagnosis and 62-day referral to treatment standards.

About us

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Job responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for;

Navigating and chase diagnostic investigations and appointments for all patients on the cancer pathway within the appropriate time frames.

To act as a first point of contact for patients queries in relation to the cancer pathways and next steps.

To proactively communicate with patients and families in relation to upcoming appointments and provide guidance around next steps and what to expect.

To be knowledgeable on all cancer waiting time standards and ensured the implementation of timed pathways.

Working closely with the relevant MDT coordinator as required.

Being responsible for supplying weekly cancer PTL meetings which they will help to prepare and facilitate and record outcomes of each patient via the Somerset cancer database.

Attend the weekly MDT meeting, taking actions where required.

Helping to develop and maintain office and administrative systems and processes to support the work of the cancer team.

Regularly review and analyse individual patients waiting times across cancer pathways, escalating delays and breaching issues where necessary

Working closely with the relevant MDT coordinator to act as a point of contact for the clinical staff, managers and booking teams for issues related to the relevant cancer pathway.

Use electronic hospital systems to access results or information as required.

Promoting patient centred care and establish good relationships with patients and relatives/carers.

Providing empathy and support to the patient's, carers and relatives whilst signposting them to further services an onward referral to the CNS team as appropriate.

Supporting the co-ordination of transfers of patient care to other organisations or teams following local, pan Wessex and national Inter Provider Transfer (IPT) processes as appropriate.

Ensuring the minimum data set is received from external trusts on patients referred for MDT discussion and/or treatment.

Escalating any bottleneck on the patient's pathway to the cancer services manager and/or services.

To cross cover colleagues when they are annual leave and throughout periods of sickness

To identify patients who have DNA'd their diagnostic tests or outpatient appointments and manage appropriately.

Person Specification

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

• Training and experience in administrative roles to vocational level 3 or equivalent
• Good knowledge across a range of administrative work procedures including non-routine elements to Diploma level 4 or equivalent
• Good grounding in medical terminology.
• Relevant experience in an NHS setting with a wide breadth of speciality knowledge.
• Experience of working in a pathway coordination/navigation role or similar.
• Proficient in the use of all hospital computerised patient systems.
• Experience of working in a patient or customer facing role with ability to establish report.
• Service improvement training.
• Experience of working in an operational environment
• Experience of working in a patient or customer facing role with ability to establish rapport.
• Knowledge and understanding of cancer pathways
• Knowledge of relevant cancer treatments, interventions and terminology

Trust Values

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust