Job overview
The Joint Thoracic Service Pathway navigator will be the first point of contact for the service.
The Joint Thoracic Service is delivered jointly across The Royal Marsden and Royal Brompton Hospital for patients with:
• Suspected primary Thoracic cancer (including the screening service and nodule tracking service)
• Confirmed primary Thoracic cancer
• Complications of cancer (either Thoracic, or lung-related complications of other cancers)
• Suspected or confirmed Thoracic metastases from other primary cancers
The Joint Thoracic Service Pathway Navigator will be responsible for the timely processing and triage of all referrals and the scheduling of diagnostics and consultations. They will work to expedite the diagnostic pathway for JTS patients by ensuring timescales set out in the National Optimal Lung Cancer Pathway are met. The Pathway Navigator will work with a high level of autonomy and collaboratively with clinical and non-clinical stakeholders with a key focus on the thoracic cancer diagnostic pathway.
The post holder will work alongside the Joint Thoracic Service Team Leads to ensure that the Joint Thoracic Service administrative hub and the West London screening review meetings are consistently and appropriately resourced, working at pace to expedite the diagnostic pathway within national targets.
Main duties of the job
The Pathway Navigator will form an integral part of the multidisciplinary team providing well-coordinated, organisational and administrative support for the diagnostic journey of patients referred to the Thoracic Cancer Service.
Lung Cancer is singled out for particular focus in the NHS Long Term Plan as part of the drive to improve the identification of cancers at stage 1 and 2 increasing the likelihood of curative treatment. The joint service has a key focus on supporting earlier and faster diagnosis of thoracic cancer.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
PATIENT AND CUSTOMER CARE
1. To type and distribute clinical and general correspondence for both NHS and private patients in line with Trust standards.
2. To process new patient referrals within Trust and nationally agreed time frames, enabling compliance with quality standards for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
3. To input and maintain patient diagnoses and current clinical unit data on the Hospital Information System, and other patient-related information as required.
4. To deal with private patients and overseas visitors in accordance with the working methods of the relevant consultant(s) and in line with Trust systems and policies.
5. To liaise with key interfacing teams to arrange appointments for diagnostics, outpatient consultation and admissions where appropriate to support diagnosis.
6. To liaise with Medical Secretaries to ensure handover of patient follow on arrangements.
ADMINISTRATION
7. To have responsibility for the input and maintenance of good quality data.
8. To establish and manage a bring-forward system.
9. To undertake general office duties as required, including photocopying, faxing, filing and date stamping of correspondence.
10. To open and action own electronic and paper mail and that of the wider service, at least once a day.
11. To ensure that stationery and office equipment is used efficiently, and that any needs are brought to the attention of the appropriate manager.
12. To keep a record of the movement of medical records passing through the secretarial office, and to maintain the notes (e.g. filing of correspondence and results) to enable continuity of care.
13. To attend secretarial team meetings, bring serious problems to the attention of management.
14. To take minutes at meetings as required
PEOPLE MANAGEMENT
15. To provide reciprocal cover in the absence of colleagues as reasonably requested by management.
16. Participate in annual individual performance review in which objectives are identified and agreed and personal development needs are discussed.
17. Identify own personal education needs and skills development in conjunction with line manager.
18. Undertake identified training and education as agreed.
19. To demonstrate a commitment to the delivery of a high quality service to patients and other service users, and to assist in diffusing informal patient complaints.
COMMUNICATION
20. Ensure patients and carers are treated with dignity and respect, in keeping with the core values of both organisations.
21. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
22. Help patients and relatives overcome barriers to understanding when English is not their first language.
23. Act as an advocate and facilitator to resolve issues that might be perceived as barriers to good care.
24. Communicate directly with patients, relatives and carers demonstrating empathy, understanding and respect. Information discussed and received will often require tact and clarity, to ensure safety and understanding.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
25. Good general education, educated to GCSE level or equivalent
26. Competent at Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
Desirable criteria
27. Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Managers and Receptionists (AMSPAR) qualified or equivalent.
28. European Computer Driving License (ECDL) or Equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
29. Substantial previous administrative experience
Desirable criteria
30. Previous experience of managing/ supervising staff
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Essential criteria
31. Understanding of medical terminology (especially oncology)
32. The ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English to a wide range of people
33. Willingness and demonstrable ability to work as part of a team.
34. Evidence of ability and initiative to prioritise a busy workload
35. Evidence of ability to work without close supervision
36. Evidence of ability to handle sensitive information without compromising confidentiality
37. Evidence of commitment to delivering high quality customer service
The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.
Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.
Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff
At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.
The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.
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