Job summary
This vacancy is only open to internal applicants only
The post holder will be an integral part of the Skin Cancer team ensuring the pathway is co-ordinated efficiently and patient pathways are tracked to meet the cancer waiting times and standards.
For patients diagnosed with cancer, this will mean they can get earlier and faster access to an accurate diagnosis, positive patient experience and begin their treatment. The majority of patients who do not have cancer, but may have other conditions, will be referred on quickly to get the right information and support.
The pathway navigator will have excellent communication skills, eye for detail and will provide a dedicated point of contact for patients referred into the service. This will involve close liaison with patients, their families, medical and nursing staff in primary care, acute hospital and community, cancer MDT teams, diagnostics, support services and service managers.
The role will help navigate patients along their pathway and will range from providing information to patients and their families, supporting clinicians, booking appointments, assessments and diagnostic tests, chasing investigations and results, coordinating clinical and non-clinical appointments and collection of data to track patient activity through the 62day pathway ensuring there are no delays to treatment .
Main duties of the job
- To navigate and support patients referred into the Skin Cancer pathway using own judgement and initiative whilst developing a thorough knowledge and adherence to Trust policies, procedures, protocols and best practice.
- Ensure the patients journey is tracked and progressed in a timely and efficient manner and accurate records are kept. Pro-actively escalate issues in the patient's pathway so that potential delays or issues are resolved at the earliest opportunity
- Build effective working relationships and liaise with relevant departments to ensure appointments are arranged in a timely and patient centred way
- To work closely with Skin cancer clinicians to ensure patients appointments and diagnostics are booked appropriately and that all the skin cancer team members time is effectively used and maximised
About us
We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.
With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one or both of our innovative hospitals.
As well as generous annual leave allowance, you will have access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide excellent patient care. Communicate effectively verbally, in writing, electronically. Communicate empathetically with a wide range of patients and their relatives. Demonstrating patience and a patient centred, holistic approach
- To be able to triage patient calls, directing queries to the appropriate personnel/service
- To have awareness of providing an inclusive service, proactively working to reducing potential inequalities, supporting patients referred into the service to attend appointments
- To understand and disseminate health promotion information, using this to identify clients who may benefit from these services and signpost accordingly
- To provide relevant information to key staff regarding patient updates / appointments
- To monitor and record patient progress through the pathway, highlighting concerns or issues to the appropriate person alerting him/her of any problems that may result in a delay in the patients diagnosis. Proactively escalating issues and delays through the relevant channels.
- To liaise with support services to ensure timely investigations are carried out and ensure results are communicated to clinicians at the earliest opportunity
- To highlight bottlenecks within the process, communicating regularly with the Skin cancer team inc management, and where possible, suggesting and implementing solutions
- To work with the Skin cancer team to support service improvement initiatives which help streamline the patient journey and improve the quality of care and service provision
- The post holder must at all times respect patient confidentiality in line with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and abide by all Statutory and Trust policies and procedures
- The post holder must complete mandatory training courses and participate in regular staff appraisal processes. The postholder will develop a personal development plan, from which any training needs will be identified, and training undertaken
- To assist in training of other colleagues where appropriate
- To be able to carry out audit, coordinate patient experience surveys and produce reports
- Provide administrative support when required
- The post holder will be required to undertake any other duties according to the needs of the service. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of activities, but rather an outline on the main areas of responsibility. Any reasonable changes will be discussed and agreed with the post holder before variations to the job description are made
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide excellent patient care. Communicate effectively verbally, in writing, electronically. Communicate empathetically with a wide range of patients and their relatives. Demonstrating patience and a patient centred, holistic approach
- To be able to triage patient calls, directing queries to the appropriate personnel/service
- To have awareness of providing an inclusive service, proactively working to reducing potential inequalities, supporting patients referred into the service to attend appointments
- To understand and disseminate health promotion information, using this to identify clients who may benefit from these services and signpost accordingly
- To provide relevant information to key staff regarding patient updates / appointments
- To monitor and record patient progress through the pathway, highlighting concerns or issues to the appropriate person alerting him/her of any problems that may result in a delay in the patients diagnosis. Proactively escalating issues and delays through the relevant channels.
- To liaise with support services to ensure timely investigations are carried out and ensure results are communicated to clinicians at the earliest opportunity
- To highlight bottlenecks within the process, communicating regularly with the Skin cancer team inc management, and where possible, suggesting and implementing solutions
- To work with the Skin cancer team to support service improvement initiatives which help streamline the patient journey and improve the quality of care and service provision
- The post holder must at all times respect patient confidentiality in line with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and abide by all Statutory and Trust policies and procedures
- The post holder must complete mandatory training courses and participate in regular staff appraisal processes. The postholder will develop a personal development plan, from which any training needs will be identified, and training undertaken
- To assist in training of other colleagues where appropriate
- To be able to carry out audit, coordinate patient experience surveys and produce reports
- Provide administrative support when required
- The post holder will be required to undertake any other duties according to the needs of the service. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of activities, but rather an outline on the main areas of responsibility. Any reasonable changes will be discussed and agreed with the post holder before variations to the job description are made
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Appropriate experience in a cancer role or similar
- Relevant Health or Social Care experience at AFC Band 3 or equivalent
Desirable
- Experience of multi-professional working
- Understanding and experience of person-centred support
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 Qualification or equivalent
- Good General Education with GCSE English and Mathematics (Grades A-C or equivalent)
Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of good communication skills
Desirable
- Efficient in the use of Microsoft products: Word for Windows, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and Internet
- Understanding of the health and social care environment
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly dependent on the needs of the service
Desirable
- Recognition of own limitations
- Empathic and caring nature, able to be sensitive to the needs of patients and their carers
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Appropriate experience in a cancer role or similar
- Relevant Health or Social Care experience at AFC Band 3 or equivalent
Desirable
- Experience of multi-professional working
- Understanding and experience of person-centred support
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 Qualification or equivalent
- Good General Education with GCSE English and Mathematics (Grades A-C or equivalent)
Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of good communication skills
Desirable
- Efficient in the use of Microsoft products: Word for Windows, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and Internet
- Understanding of the health and social care environment
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly dependent on the needs of the service
Desirable
- Recognition of own limitations
- Empathic and caring nature, able to be sensitive to the needs of patients and their carers
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.
