Job overview

We are looking for a full-time Nurse or Radiographer to work as a Suspected Cancer Pathway (SCAN) Navigator on a 1-year fixed term contract (or secondment if applicable), based in the Radiology Department at the Churchill Hospital.

You will need post-graduate NHS experience, strong communication skills, and the confidence to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering the SCAN pathway. You will support patients through the diagnostic process, coordinate appointments, and contribute positively to the ongoing development of the service.

This role is suitable for a Nurse or Radiographer who wants to work in a patient-focused, pathway coordination role within a dedicated team. CT experience is desirable but not essential for Radiographers, as training can be provided.

Main duties of the job

The SCAN (Suspected CANcer) Pathway: 

Many patients visit their GP with 'vague' symptoms such as weight loss and tiredness. These symptoms are called 'non-specific' as they affect the whole person.

Often the cause of these symptoms remains unclear after GP assessment. There is commonly a minor cause for such symptoms. However, there is a small chance that they could be the signs of a serious illness, such as cancer. Therefore, these symptoms are often called 'low-risk but not no-risk' symptoms.

The SCAN Pathway provides GP’s with access to rapid investigations for patients with 'non-specific' symptoms. This avoids patients can go back and forth between their GP and the hospital many times until a diagnosis is made; this takes time with diagnoses and treatment potentially delayed. Although the risk of serious disease is low, a delay in diagnosis and treatment may have a negative effect on the patients' health and overall wellbeing.

Dependent on these results, an appointment with a Doctor working in a Multi Diagnostic Clinic (MDC) is arranged. The aim is to reach a diagnosis and begin treatment as quickly as possible.

Navigators co-ordinate all aspects of the SCAN pathway, both face to face and virtually; organising appointments, acting as a support and information role for others within the service and undertaking clinical duties.

Working for our organisation

The Churchill Radiology Department is within the Cancer and Haematology Centre, opened in 2009. We provide imaging services across the specialities found on site: Oncology, Radiotherapy, Breast, Renal, Urology, Transplantation, Chest Medicine, Upper and Lower GI, Head and Neck, Haematology and Infectious Diseases.

We have recently replaced both our CT scanners and currently have one 64 slice GE CT scanner and one 256 Slice GE CT Scanner. We also have 2 new  GE MRI Scanners, a 1.5T and 3T. We cover all types of scanning in CT this includes cardiac, pneumocolons, orthopaedic and all various CT guided interventional procedures including microwave ablations. In MRI we provide an equally broad range of scanning including MRI guided breast biopsies as well as supporting the MSK and Neuro imaging for other sites within the trust.

The department also includes 2 flat plate interventional rooms, 2 PET/CT scanners, 2 Gamma Camera’s including SPECT CT, 4 ultrasound rooms, a Lithotripsy unit and 5 DR GE Definium HD rooms.