Job summary
The Post Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS) Navigator is a key member of the Colorectal Team within the Surgery & Cancer Division. This role supports the coordination and progression of both suspected cancer and benign colorectal patient pathways at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Working under the supervision of the Colorectal Triage Nurses, the post holder ensures smooth pathway management by coordinating diagnostic tests, tracking referrals, liaising with clinical and administrative teams, and maintaining timely communication with patients, carers, and GP practices.
The role requires proficiency across multiple IT systems and the ability to manage a delegated workload autonomously while contributing to pathway performance targets, patient experience, and early cancer diagnosis.
Main duties of the job
Coordinate and track rapid access referrals against colorectal cancer and benign pathways. Book and organise diagnostic investigations in line with optimal colorectal pathways. Serve as a single point of contact for patients, carers, and clinical teams. Provide non-clinical information, triage queries, and escalate concerns appropriately. Maintain accurate pathway data on systems such as Somerset Cancer Registry. Liaise with Radiology, Endoscopy, MDT coordinators, GP practices, and other clinical services. Support data collection, audits, and continuous service improvement. Assist pre-operative assessment processes for patients requiring GA for diagnostic procedures. Ensure safe, high-quality patient experience across the full pathway.
About us
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) provides good quality, safe and effective healthcare to the people of Cheshire and beyond. The Trust, which manages Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford, was established as an NHS Trust in April 1991 and became a Foundation Trust in April 2008.
We employ almost 5,000 members of staff, provide around 540 hospital beds, with a range of services including accident and emergency, maternity, outpatients, therapies, and children's health.
The Trust is also part of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP), a unique local health partnership that provides a range of community services for people across South Cheshire and Vale Royal.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, the Trust was recognised nationally for its 'Be Safe Be EquiPPEd' campaign, which aimed to make the Trust as safe as possible for staff and patients, through supporting the correct use of PPE. The results in the 2020 national NHS Staff Survey showed improvements in all elements of the safety culture theme, with 92% of respondents feeling their role made a difference to our patients. We were also recognised nationally for our workforce health and wellbeing initiatives.
At Mid Cheshire, we value our staff and appreciate that in order to give our patients the best quality, compassionate care, we also need to look after our colleagues.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Post FDS Navigator plays a central role in supporting the Faster Diagnosis Standard cancer pathways and benign colorectal pathways. The postholder works under the supervision of Colorectal Triage Nurses to ensure efficient and timely flow of referrals, diagnostics, communication, and documentation across the patient pathway. Responsibilities include:
- Ensuring suspected cancer and benign colorectal referrals are processed promptly.
- Coordinating diagnostic tests and procedures across services such as Radiology, Endoscopy, and Outpatients.
- Providing patients with essential information and coordinating test preparation.
- Using multiple IT systems to track, monitor, and progress patients efficiently.
- Supporting high-quality, timely, safe pathways to improve early diagnosis and patient experience.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Post FDS Navigator plays a central role in supporting the Faster Diagnosis Standard cancer pathways and benign colorectal pathways. The postholder works under the supervision of Colorectal Triage Nurses to ensure efficient and timely flow of referrals, diagnostics, communication, and documentation across the patient pathway. Responsibilities include:
- Ensuring suspected cancer and benign colorectal referrals are processed promptly.
- Coordinating diagnostic tests and procedures across services such as Radiology, Endoscopy, and Outpatients.
- Providing patients with essential information and coordinating test preparation.
- Using multiple IT systems to track, monitor, and progress patients efficiently.
- Supporting high-quality, timely, safe pathways to improve early diagnosis and patient experience.
Person Specification
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Good General Education with GCSE English and Mathematics
- Relevant Health or Social Care experience
- Level 3 Health or social care qualification (e.g. NVQ or similar)
- ECDL or equivalent IT experience
Desirable
- Knowledge/experience using results systems in a medical context.
- Level 4 Health or social care qualification (e.g. NVQ or similar)
Skills
Essential
- Practical problems solving skills.
- Ability to work with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to retrieve information from a wide range of sources and in different formats.
Desirable
- Ability to contribute to solving problems & informing decisions under pressure.
- Understanding of/experience using systems such as the Somerset Cancer Register.
Values
Essential
- Must demonstrate the Trust's values around both raising concerns at work, and how to treat others who raise concerns.
- A commitment to quality and safety
- A recognition of the importance of showing respect, dignity and compassion to patients and colleagues
Behaviours
Essential
- Must be willing to act as a role model and to take personal responsibility.
- Must have the courage to speak up and value and appreciate the worth of others.
Physical Requirements
Essential
- Ability to perform a wide range of duties according to the Job Description.
Person Specification
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Good General Education with GCSE English and Mathematics
- Relevant Health or Social Care experience
- Level 3 Health or social care qualification (e.g. NVQ or similar)
- ECDL or equivalent IT experience
Desirable
- Knowledge/experience using results systems in a medical context.
- Level 4 Health or social care qualification (e.g. NVQ or similar)
Skills
Essential
- Practical problems solving skills.
- Ability to work with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to retrieve information from a wide range of sources and in different formats.
Desirable
- Ability to contribute to solving problems & informing decisions under pressure.
- Understanding of/experience using systems such as the Somerset Cancer Register.
Values
Essential
- Must demonstrate the Trust's values around both raising concerns at work, and how to treat others who raise concerns.
- A commitment to quality and safety
- A recognition of the importance of showing respect, dignity and compassion to patients and colleagues
Behaviours
Essential
- Must be willing to act as a role model and to take personal responsibility.
- Must have the courage to speak up and value and appreciate the worth of others.
Physical Requirements
Essential
- Ability to perform a wide range of duties according to the Job Description.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
