Cancer Pathway Navigator

Job Overview

This role will be integral to improving the efficiency and flow for patients on cancer pathways. The post holder will work closely with Cancer Services staff, clinicians, managers and booking staff in order to identify and resolve delays in the pathway.

They will be responsible for closely managing the patient tracking list (PTL), escalating operational issues and maximising available capacity by providing feedback to both clinical and non-clinical staff working towards achievement of the 28 day faster diagnosis, 31 day decision to treat to treatment, and 62 day referral to treatment standards.

The role will support patients or their carers/family, having regular telephone contact with them in order to provide equitable access to care for all our patients.

Main duties of the job

• Track and help expedite appointments, diagnostic investigations and results, clinical correspondence and actions/decisions, and all other relevant cancer pathway activities for patients.
• To support patients identified as encountering difficulties accessing healthcare, providing practical support, resolving issues which prohibit them from accessing their care in a timely manner.
• To be knowledgeable on all cancer waiting times standards and enable the implementation of timed pathways.
• To be a point of contact for patients/carers, providing support and information, exercising judgement on the appropriate action to take to ensure the patient concern is resolved.
• Work closely with MDT coordinators and Navigators, providing cross-cover where appropriate.
• Update the Cancer Register and Cancer 360 where cancer PTL information is held and reviewed.

Working for our organisation

We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group - a formal partnership between the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people.

We are creating a health and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

By working together, we make a real difference for our patients, each other, and our community. Every role matters in delivering the exceptional, person‑centred care we’re proud of.

We’re committed to a compassionate, inclusive culture where kindness is championed, differences are valued, and diversity makes us stronger.

We want to support you to thrive, taking your career to its full potential. We prioritise staff wellbeing – and yes, we even have a pool!

Discover what it’s like to live and work in Bath, explore our RUH staff benefits, and learn how we’re building healthcare for the future through the Dyson Cancer Centre and our commitment to research.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Please see the attached job description for further details and main duties and responsibilities of the role.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Vocational Qualification Level 3 - or equivalent

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of secretarial and administrative procedures and systems (acquired through training)
• Knowledge of specialist medical terminology, organisational policies and procedures related to patients on cancer pathways
• Experience working in an administrative environment

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience of cancer pathways
• Understanding of 'The National Cancer Plan for England: delivering world class cancer care'
• Recent experience within the NHS which has provided broad understanding of how the NHS operates

Skills

Essential criteria

• Excellent IT skills - email, internet, Microsoft Office and databases
• Ability to apply own judgement to situations to ensure the appropriate outcome and to escalate where necessary

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of hospital patient administration systems, pathology imaging and other clinical databases

Please note - Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered unless an alternative right to work solution can be provided. Candidates requiring sponsorship (or will need sponsorship at the end of a current visa e.g. those with graduate visa's) should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying: Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK

Applicant requirements

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if we receive a high number of applications. We strongly encourage you to complete and submit your application in good time to ensure it can be considered.

Documents to download

• Cancer Navigator JD - May 2026 (PDF, 310.5KB)
• Join the RUH (PDF, 1.3MB)

Further details / informal visits contact

Name Ed Nicolle Job title Cancer Services Manager Email address ***email_hidden*** Telephone number 01225 824042