Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Ensure patients and carers are treated with dignity and respect and in-keeping with the George Eliot NHS Trust approach and values.
• Provide dedicated tracking support to patients receiving care, diagnostics and treatment at George Eliot NHS Trust, raising any clinical issues to the relevant clinical teams in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of cancer diagnostics and treatments offered within George Eliot NHS Trust and tertiary centres.
• Attend MDT meetings and provide assistance to the clinical teams by coordinating tests, investigations and outpatient appointments as a result of MDT decisions.
• Develop good working relationships and liaison between other departments and Healthcare professionals within George Eliot NHS Trust and relevant tertiary centres.
• Use the Somerset Cancer Register to update the patient record with clear and concise notes detailing any interactions.
• To have working knowledge of the common barriers, milestones and activities that contribute to the delivery of the 28 day Faster Diagnostic Standard, ensuring delays are escalated and appropriate action taken to ensure the target is met and high-quality patient experience and safety is delivered.
• Provide insight and data to support learning through RCAs and other performance and governance activities.
• Assist in internal audit of GP referrals data quality and completeness.
• Organise own workload and be able to update Clinical Nurse Specialists and directorate management of progress in line with agreed work plan.
• Monitor and check appointments and diagnostic tests are booked and undertaken in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Ensure patients receive timely and appropriate information in regard to their diagnosis and treatment and signpost to appropriate supportive leaflets and literature.
• Respond to telephone queries with an appropriate referral to CNS or other allied healthcare professional with respect to cancer pathway patients.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation.
• Communicate directly with suspected cancer patients, relatives and carers demonstrating empathy, understanding and respect. Information discussed and received will often require tact and pathway awareness, to ensure patient safety throughout the cancer pathway.
• Assist the CNSs with the implementation of documentation as appropriate.
• Assist with the preparation of documentation for preparation Cancer Peer Review assessments.
• Be aware of the particular physical and psychological needs of the patient, alerting the CNS so that any necessary treatment and/or reassurance can be given to maintain patient safety/well-being.
• Organise interpreters to overcome barriers to understanding when English is not the patient’s first language.
• Reporting all complaints and untoward occurrences as per trust policy.
• Participation in training and education opportunities for self-development and shared experience.
• Participate in other duties to reflect an evolving healthcare service as appropriate.

Coordinate access to patient information and education resources for patients.

The post holder will work independently within the remit of the role but under the guidance and supervision of the Clinical Nurse Specialists:

Work as a Cancer Navigator to assist with the coordination and management of patients undergoing diagnosis and treatment within George Eliot NHS Trust in order to meet the 28 day faster diagnosis targets.

• Provide information to patients related to diagnostics, treatment and follow-up and signpost to appropriate healthcare providers within remit of role and guidance.

Provide telephone support working within defined protocols and guidelines. Document and communicate outcomes as per service specification.

• To participate in collating patient surveys/patient experiences surveys and support action plans delivered by the clinical teams.
• Support CNS’s in developing and facilitating delivery of good practice national pathways and activities.
• Document all interactions both verbally and written with accuracy and in line with Trust policy and procedure.

Demonstrate excellent communication skills both verbal and written.

This role is an evolving role and will be subject to nuances according to which cancer specialty you are assigned to. This will entail working in line with the specialty requirements as per business needs, but will not dramatically differ to the generic job description above.