Cancer Pathway Navigator for Head and Neck
At a glance
- Band
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 21/09/2026
- Closes
- 25/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Sponsorship is not clearly stated in this advert.
The advert didn't contain a clear role-specific sponsorship line, so HiveMind can't confirm eligibility. Verify with the recruiting manager or trust HR before you apply.
Role summary
This role involves navigating patients through a rapid diagnostic pathway for suspected cancer, acting as a central point of contact. The post-holder will ensure seamless, coordinated care delivery and support patients' individual needs. They will work closely with clinical and administrative teams to achieve efficient pathway implementation and the 28 Day Faster Diagnosis Standard. The role focuses on maintaining communication, signposting resources, and resolving barriers to care, especially for harder-to-reach patient groups.
Key responsibilities
- Provide a central point of contact for patients on a 'rapid diagnostic, suspicious of cancer pathway'.
- Facilitate seamless, coordinated pathway delivery, including escalation to relevant departments.
- Work closely with the wider cancer team and other health/social care providers to enable person-centred care.
- Maintain effective communication with and on behalf of the patient, signposting to appropriate resources.
- Identify and resolve barriers to care, working flexibly and responsively to unlock bottlenecks and delays.
- Support patients with shared decision making and self-management within the parameters of the role.
Essential criteria
- Good educational background (minimum 4 GCSE's, grade C or above including English and Maths) or equivalent experience
- Knowledge of health and wellbeing issues and services acquired through training and experience to NVQ level 3 standard, plus additional knowledge and experience of offering personalised support
- Computer literacy with good understanding of computer packages e.g. word / excel, and knowledge of confidentiality, information governance and data security, demonstrated by ECDL or equivalent experience
- Awareness of local services and resources
- Understands and demonstrates behaviours which value equality and diversity
- Core communication and relationship building skills
- Ability to demonstrate sensitivity and empathy
- Good organisational skills with the ability to priorities workload
- Ability to communicate with a range of different people at all levels
- Ability to deal with sensitive information in a tactful and diplomatic way
Desirable criteria
- Basic counselling qualification
- Knowledge of rapid diagnostic pathway principles and key cancer pathway steps
- Knowledge of service improvement processes
- Knowledge of Cancer Waiting Times and specifically the 28 FDS
- Knowledge of basic medical terminology
- Knowledge of confidentiality, information and governance
- Administrative skills
- Analytical skills
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 4 at £26,530 – £29,114 a year, across England.
This advert: £28,392 – £31,157 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 4d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Cancer Pathway Navigator for Head and Neck
The closing date is 25 September 2026
Job summary
The primary purpose of the Cancer Pathway Navigator role is to provide a central point of contact for patients on a 'rapid diagnostic, suspicious of cancer pathway', helping to ensure that the individual needs of the patient are supported and that care is built around those needs.
The post-holder will facilitate seamless, coordinated pathway delivery, including escalation to relevant departments where required, to support a better and more personalised diagnostic experience for patients.
The post-holder will work closely with the wider cancer team, both clinical and administrative, as well as other key health and social care providers, to enable person-centred care and the efficient implementation of the pathway, including achievement of the28 Day Faster Diagnosis Standard.
Main duties of the job
The Cancer Pathway Navigator will be involved from the beginning of the pathway to definitive diagnosis (whether cancer or not). They will maintain effective communication with and on behalf of the patient, signposting to appropriate resources and information, and liaising with staff and services to ensure tests and appointments are scheduled in a timely manner. The role will have a specific focus on supporting harder to reach
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