Cancer Care Navigator - Hyndburn Central PCN
The East Lancashire Alliance is currently recruiting a Cancer Care Navigator on behalf of the Hyndburn Central PCN.
Main duties of the job
The Cancer Care Navigator will have responsibility for supporting, developing, coordinating, and managing the Early Detection & Prevention of Cancer across the Primary Care Network, ensuring that the early part of the patient's cancer journey is as seamless as possible.
You will work within our Primary Care Network (PCN) multidisciplinary healthcare team. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work with a committed team, help shape service delivery, and contribute to projects benefiting the patient population. The candidate must be flexible to change and instrumental in delivering the PCN’s aims for patient-centred care.
About us
The East Lancashire Alliance is a network of 9 PCNs covering 48 GP practices, serving over 390,000 patients across East Lancashire. Patients are at the heart of our work, and we pride ourselves on ensuring they feel safe, supported, and respected, especially during vulnerable times. We represent our member practices and collaborate with local general practice and system partners to provide patient-centred, local healthcare services.
Each practice has a dedicated team working to improve the health of their patient populations.
East Lancashire is a vibrant area with beautiful countryside and lively towns offering shopping, entertainment, and dining. We welcome you with a warm northern hospitality, known for warmth, humour, and generosity.
Job responsibilities
* Assist the PCN in delivering improvements in patient care, including participation in national cancer screening programmes.
* Ensure robust referral practices for suspected cancer cases, including guideline adherence, professional development, and safety netting.
* Run reports from clinical systems such as Emis (training provided if needed).
* Build productive relationships with practice staff, including non-clinical cancer champions, social prescribers, pharmacists, and secretaries.
* Support practices in evaluating screening uptake, engaging hard-to-reach populations, and reducing health inequalities.
* Monitor and track patients suspected or confirmed with cancer, ensuring timely processing in line with Cancer Waiting Time Targets.
* Provide advice on cancer audits and referral reviews, collating learning from case reviews to identify trends.
* Develop safety netting systems across the PCN for patients referred urgently or for further investigations.
* Source resources and training from organisations like Cancer Research UK, Macmillan, and local authorities.
* Support practices in developing and implementing cancer screening improvement plans.
* Create and maintain a library of data packs and resources for patient information, inclusive of diverse needs.
* Review practice coding for report consistency and accuracy, liaising with Ardens for templates and reports.
* Support hosting peer learning events analyzing diagnosis and screening data across the Network.
* Provide support to ARRS staff and help with appointment scheduling and coding.
* Generate reports to analyze capacity and demand, supporting patient booking and management.
* Assist patients in managing their needs, including queries, appointments, and information provision.
* Support clinic management and staff rotas, and help patients access self-management courses and peer support.
* Coordinate multidisciplinary meetings and adhere to organisational policies and procedures.
* Work independently, planning workload and seeking guidance as needed.
* Provide administrative support as required.
* Understand the role of a Primary Care Network and how it enhances patient support through collaboration.
* Work with key PCN personnel on practice projects, including federated working.
* Demonstrate good organisational and time management skills.
* Maintain confidentiality at all times.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment & Therapy
* Holistically assess and support patients’ care needs, developing personalised care plans.
* Navigate patients through the early cancer diagnostic pathway, improving compliance and experience, and ensuring safe signposting.
* Support post-treatment rehabilitation for patients and families.
* Ensure timely Cancer Care reviews at 3 and 12 months, following quality frameworks.
* Input information accurately, working to deadlines, and ensure high-quality referrals.
* Identify and resolve delays in patient pathways, discussing solutions with practices/PCN.
* Adapt to operational frameworks and patient needs flexibly.
* Assist patients in managing their health, including appointments, information, and access to educational resources.
* Support patients in accessing self-management education, peer support, and personal health budgets where appropriate.
* Coordinate care across health and social services, working with social prescribers and other professionals.
* Use communication methods effectively, managing barriers as needed.
* Provide information to patients, carers, and relatives, and liaise with all relevant professionals.
* Gather and review data related to PCN workstreams and utilize risk stratification tools for review meetings.
* Follow through on actions like tests, referrals, and signposting.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* GCSE or equivalent in English and Mathematics
* A-level/NVQ level 3 or equivalent experience in admin, business, marketing, or customer service
* Degree level education or equivalent
Experience
* Office procedures within a high-level administrative role
* Implementing internal processes and procedures
* Handling sensitive/confidential information
* Working in reception/telephone environments
* Project support/management experience
* Experience working within multidisciplinary teams
Knowledge
* Clinical governance principles
* Confidentiality and Data Protection Act
* Database management
* Local healthcare guidelines
* Relevant health and social care legislation
Other
* Driver with sole use of vehicle
Autonomy
* Capability to manage workload and make decisions independently within tight timescales
Skills & Abilities
* Handling confidential issues sensitively
* Prioritising and organising tasks
* Working under pressure with accuracy
* Problem solving and supporting others
* Partnership working
* Managing conflicting issues assertively and sensitively
* Using electronic patient records (Emis)
Personal Qualities
* Adaptability and flexibility
* Initiative
* Building effective relationships
* Constructive challenge
* Self-motivation and teamwork
* Flexibility to meet service needs
* Effective verbal and written communication
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to DBS checks as per the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975. A disclosure application will be made to check for any criminal convictions.
Depending on experience, this is a Band 4 Agenda for Change role.
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