Job summary
The Rapid Diagnostic Navigator will take responsibility for the implementation, delivery and evaluation of a new service for patients who are referred to the diagnostic Colorectal and Upper GI cancer services at North Bristol Trust with a suspected cancer.
They will be part of the wider cancer service working closely with Colorectal and Upper GI cancer clinicians, the Upper GI and Colorectal cancer clinical nurse specialists, cancer support workers, diagnostic teams, Cancer Services, psychology and allied health care professionals.
From the point of referral to the cancer pathway this new role will facilitate the smooth running of the patient journey by ensuring that coordinated and streamlined clinical and administrative processes revolve around the patient and their individual needs. The success of the pathway relies on close team working and a vital input and coordination of the patientpathway.
The post holder will organise and liaise with the clinical teams and Cancer Services to manage the planned checkpoints throughout a patient's diagnostic pathway and support the clinical team, in ensuring the speciality is able to deliver timely, safe and effective services.
Main duties of the job
Facilitating the smooth running of the diagnostic pathway by ensuring that co-ordinated and streamlined clinical and administrative processes revolve around the patient and their individual needs.
To provide information and support about tests, investigations, cancer andcancer services, to enable people to navigate the health and social care system and make choices that are best for their cancer and their life.
A key aspect of the role involves daily and direct ( face to face and telephone) communication with patients, relatives, carers, andother health and social care professionals from of referral at point of suspicion of lung cancer. The information and nature of the communication required is sensitive due to the nature of cancer. Communication in this context requires a high degree of empathy, understanding, diplomacy, honesty and integrity.
About us
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
We commit to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our services.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
A fantastic opportunity has arisen within General Surgery for a Rapid Diagnostic Navigator to join our busy department. The ideal candidate will need to be able to work in a calm, logical and methodical way whilst being able to multi-task in a busy environment with complex patient pathways.
The Rapid Diagnostic Navigator will take responsibility for the implementation, delivery and evaluation of a new service for patients who are referred to the diagnostic Colorectal and Upper GI cancer services at North Bristol Trust with a suspected cancer. They will be part of the wider cancer service working closely with Colorectal and Upper GI cancer clinicians, the Upper GI and Colorectal cancer clinical nurse specialists, cancer support workers, diagnostic teams, Cancer Services, psychology and allied health care professionals.
The post holder will organise and liaise with the clinical teams and Cancer Services to manage the planned checkpoints throughout a patients diagnostic pathway and support the clinical team, in ensuring the speciality is able to deliver timely, safe and effective services.
A key responsibility of the role, alongside the CNS team and cancer services coordinator, will be to provide information and support to the patient and their family from diagnosis and throughout the whole cancer pathway.
Person Specification
Education/Qualification
Essential
1. GCSE English Language and Mathematics (Grades A-C) or equivalent
Desirable
2. NVQ4 or NVQ3 plus additional training to diploma level equivalent, or equivalent through short courses
Work Experience
Essential
3. Relevant health or social care experience at AFC Band 3 or equivalent
4. Experience in an administrative role and in the use of data management, PAS, Word, Excel
5. Experience of scheduling appointments, admission
6. Experience of working in multi-disciplinary team
Knowledge
Essential
7. Accurate data entry, typing, and producing letters
8. Excellent interpersonal skills
9. Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels
10. Ability to use own judgement to resolve problems and queries competently, including those of a sensitive and confidential nature
11. Ability to plan, prioritise and delegate workload when necessary or when leave cover is required.
12. Manage and interpret data correctly to inform decision making
13. Ability to initiate & co-ordinate change to own working practices
Personal Qualities
Essential
14. Ability to deal with distressing circumstances
15. Be calm, objective, confident and approachable
16. Demonstrate professional integrity in the conduct of the role
17. Be able to use own initiative
18. Have a flexible attitude to working