Lead Navigator for Suspected Cancer Pathway in Oxford

We are looking for an experienced Registered Healthcare Professional (e.g. Nurse, Radiographer, Physician Associate or equivalent) to work as the Lead Navigator of the Suspected Cancer Pathway (SCAN), based in the Radiology Department at the Churchill Hospital. You will have significant post-registration NHS experience, advanced communication and patient assessment skills, and the ability to work autonomously within a complex multidisciplinary environment. As the clinical and operational lead for the SCAN pathway, you will provide leadership to a team of registered healthcare professionals (including radiographers, nurses and physician associates), supporting patients through the diagnostic process, overseeing pathway delivery, coordinating care across multiple services and contributing to ongoing service improvement and development.

This is an exciting opportunity for a registered healthcare professional seeking a senior patient-focused leadership role within an innovative diagnostic pathway service.

Main duties of the job

The SCAN (Suspected CANcer) Pathway:

Many patients visit their GP with symptoms such as unexplained weight loss or tiredness. These are often described as 'non-specific' symptoms because they do not clearly point to a particular condition. Whilst many patients are found to have a benign cause for their symptoms, a small proportion may have a serious underlying illness, including cancer. The SCAN pathway provides GPs with rapid access to investigations for patients with these 'low-risk but not no-risk' symptoms, helping to achieve earlier diagnosis and avoid unnecessary delays in treatment.

Depending on the results of these investigations, patients may be referred to a clinician working within the Multi-Diagnostic Clinic (MDC). The aim is to reach a diagnosis and begin any necessary treatment as quickly as possible.

The SCAN team coordinates all aspects of the pathway, both face-to-face and virtually. The SCAN Pathway Lead provides clinical and operational leadership for the service, acting as an expert resource for patients and professionals, overseeing pathway performance, supporting staff, coordinating care and undertaking clinical duties to ensure high-quality, patient-centred care.

Key aspects of the role

• Lead the delivery and ongoing development of the SCAN pathway, ensuring patients receive timely, coordinated and compassionate care from referral through diagnosis and onward care.
• Act as the primary point of contact for patients referred to the pathway, providing expert advice, information and support.
• Liaise with GPs, Multi-Diagnostic Clinic teams and other healthcare professionals to coordinate investigations, appointments and clinical review.
• Vet and assess referrals within agreed guidelines and advise referrers on appropriate diagnostic investigations.
• Undertake clinical duties including venepuncture, cannulation and specimen collection, ensuring safe handling and transfer of samples in accordance with Trust policy.
• Monitor pathway performance and contribute to data collection, audit, service evaluation and reporting requirements.
• Provide professional leadership, support and supervision to members of the SCAN team and other colleagues.
• Contribute to staff training, competency development and service improvement initiatives.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, carers, colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Promote best clinical practice and ensure care is delivered with dignity, compassion and respect.
• Use specialist systems including EPR, CRIS/PACS and other pathway management systems to support effective patient care and service delivery.
• Manage and prioritise workload independently whilst supporting the coordination of pathway activities across the multidisciplinary team.

Person Specification

Professional Registration & Experience

• Essential: Professional registration with relevant body, significant post-registration NHS experience, experience of autonomous clinical practice, experience of leadership, supervision or mentoring.
• Desirable: Experience in Radiology, cancer or diagnostic services, relevant postgraduate qualification or specialist training.

Clinical Leadership & Service Development

• Essential: Experience managing complex clinical situations, experience implementing policies or procedures, evidence of service improvement or change management, commitment to CPD and professional development.
• Desirable: Experience of audit, research or service evaluation.

Communication, Organisation & Team Working

• Essential: Effective communication with patients and staff, ability to explain complex or sensitive information, ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines, effective multidisciplinary team working.
• Desirable: Experience teaching, mentoring or presenting to others.

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.