Patient Pathway Navigator

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Patient Pathway Navigator to support the Orthopaedic team in delivering safe, timely care. You will monitor patient pathways, coordinate with management, administrators, consultants, specialist nurses, and diagnostic teams to ensure RTT targets are met.

You will be flexible, work well under pressure, and excel in data reporting and communication, using MS Office and Careflow where appropriate, to maintain patient-centred pathways.

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent.
• Experience in an administrative role and working in a busy multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience of working to fixed deadlines.
• Fluent English to an appropriate standard (as required for NHS roles).

Responsibilities

• Accurate tracking of patient pathways on the Orthopaedic waiting list to ensure RTT targets.
• Use of clinical systems to understand patient position on pathway and next steps.
• Daily management of patient tracking list (PTL).
• Updating of clinical systems to reflect progress of patient pathway.
• Understanding non-admitted (NADM) and admitted (ADM) aspects of pathways.
• Booking of patient appointments and expediting bookings in line with RTT targets.
• Escalating delays to Orthopaedic management and admin teams.
• Contributing to validation processes to ensure accuracy of the Orthopaedic waiting list.
• Applying BNSSG Access Policy to patient pathways.
• Assisting with data reporting and department duties.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Experience in collating information

Proficiency in computer systems

Microsoft Office

Excellent verbal and written comms

Organisational and time management

Attention to detail

Confidentiality, data protection & FOI

Education

GCSE or equivalent

Tools

Careflow patient administration system

Job description

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognises the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job Overview

The Patient Pathway Navigator plays a vital role in ensuring the efficient and timely progression of a patient’s journey. By monitoring and validating each patient’s pathway, the post holder will support clinical and administrative processes to ensure they remain patient-centred and responsive to individual needs.

As part of the wider Orthopaedic team, the Patient Pathway Navigator will collaborate closely with management, administrators, consultants, specialist nurses, and diagnostic teams. They will coordinate with relevant teams to oversee key checkpoints throughout the patient’s pathway, helping to deliver safe, effective, and timely care.

Given the dynamic nature of the healthcare environment, the post holder must be flexible and adaptable, responding to changing demands and priorities to ensure continuity of service. Strong communication skills, experience in collating information, and proficiency in computer systems are essential for success in this role.

Main duties of the job

• Accurate and consistent tracking of patient pathways on the Orthopaedic waiting list to ensure achievement of RTT targets
• Use of various clinical systems to understand where a patient is on their pathway and what the appropriate next steps are
• Daily management of patient tracking list (PTL)
• Updating of clinical systems to reflect progress of patient pathway
• Good understanding of non-admitted (NADM) aspects of a patient’s pathway, including first appointments, diagnostics and follow up appointments
• Booking of patient appointments where necessary
• Liaising with colleagues to expedite bookings in line with RTT targets
• Good understanding of admitted (ADM) aspects of a patient’s pathway when they have been added to the surgical waiting list
• Proactively escalating issues to the Orthopaedic management and administration teams where delays have been identified, taking responsibility for early identification of potential breaches
• Contributing to departmental validation processes to ensure the accuracy of the Orthopaedic waiting list
• An excellent understanding of the Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) Access Policy, with confident application to patient pathways
• Assisting the Performance and Operations Manager with data reporting as required
• Assisting with adhoc and general duties as required by the department
• Developing positive relationships with the Orthopaedic management and administration teams to work collaboratively in progressing patient pathways

Working for our organisation

At Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, you will be part of one of the largest NHS providers in the South West, delivering outstanding care to patients across a wide range of specialist and community services. We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and innovative working environment where staff are valued, encouraged to develop their skills, and empowered to make a difference. Joining our team offers excellent opportunities for professional development, collaborative working, research, teaching and quality improvement, helping you to build a rewarding and fulfilling career.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Please see the attached job description for a full overview of the role requirements and main responsibilities.

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent

Work Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working in a busy multi-disciplinary team environment
• Experience in an administrative role
• Experience of working under pressure
• Experience of working to fixed deadlines

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in the NHS
• Experience of RTT targets and MSK patient pathways

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Competent user of Microsoft Office packages
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Understanding of patient confidentiality, data protection and freedom of information policies as they relate to waiting times.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of the Careflow patient administration system

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Ability to work autonomously
• Excellent team player
• Enthusiastic and proactive approach to problem solving
• Flexible approach to meet the needs of the service

Employer commitment and policy

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.