Job summary
We are excited to launch this innovative pilot role, led and funded by the Lancashire & South Cumbria Cancer Alliance and hosted by Millom Primary Care Network, aimed at improving the early diagnosis of cancer.
This 12-month fixed-term post offers a unique and varied opportunity to shape the way cancer support is delivered to the local population. The post will be based at Waterloo House Surgery in Millom.
As Early Diagnosis Cancer Navigator, you will be responsible for supporting and developing the coordination and management of early detection and prevention of cancer across the PCN, helping to ensure that the beginning of the patients cancer journey is as seamless, timely, and supported as possible.
This is a unique opportunity to make a real difference. If you are passionate about supporting people and improvingcancer outcomes, we would love to hear from you.
Closing Date: 24/7/2025
In person interviews will take place on:TBC
WHEN APPLYING FOR THIS ROLE, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR MOBILE NUMBER ON YOUR APPLICATION SO WE CAN CONTACT YOU IF NEEDED. PLEASE ALSO CHECK YOUR SPAM OR JUNK FOLDER REGULARLY AS EMAILS FROM US MAY OCCASIONALLY BE FILTERED THERE.
We encourage you to apply as early as possible as this job may close earlier than the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received
Please note that we are unable to offer an Employer Sponsored Visa for this role.
Main duties of the job
- To support the PCN in improving patient services by participation in national cancer screening programmes.
- Ensuring robust/supportive referral practices are in place for patients suspected of having cancer
- will form productive relationships with practice staff who have the skills, knowledge and remit to contribute to this work.
- Support PCN practices in evaluating screening uptake, engaging hard-to-reach groups, and reducing health inequalities
- Proactively monitor and track patients with suspected or confirmed cancer to ensure timely, efficient care in line with Cancer Waiting Time Targets.
- Provide advice to practices on cancer audit/referral review of cancer diagnoses. To work with practices to collate the learning from case reviews.
- Work with PCN core staff to develop consistent safety netting systems for monitoring patients urgently referred with suspected cancer.
- Provide the PCN with support to host peer-to-peer learning events that look at data trends in diagnosis/screening across a Network.
- Source appropriate resources, training, and system examples from appropriate organisations such as the Cancer Alliance.
- Be a point of contact for PCN member Practices to develop and implement their cancer screening improvement action plans.
- Create a library of PCN data packs and resources to support the delivery of information to patients in a variety of formats.
- Review practice coding for report building to ensure consistency across the PCN and accuracy.
About us
Cumbria Health on Call - CH places the patient, their family and their community at the heart of everything we do. We are an award-winning organisation, the first out-of-hours organisation in the country to be rated as outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
We provide primary health care services, both in and out of hours, across Cumbria. We are values-driven and place great emphasis on inclusivity and the wellbeing and development of our staff, while striving to provide a consistently high-quality service. Our service is designed to improve health and wellbeing.
Working for CH can offer flexible opportunities in terms of location, hours and working patterns so you can enjoy a great work life balance. In order to provide the best patient care we understand the importance of ensuring staff satisfaction and are consistently trying to ensure we offer our staff a positive working environment whether that be though training or social events.
Listen to your heart. Have the work life balance you'd love.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Millom PCN is a uniquely structured Primary Care Network formed by a single GP practice. This provides a rare opportunity to focus efforts on local priorities with streamlined decision-making and a close-knit team environment. The post holder will play a critical role in improving cancer detection, prevention, and personalised care across the local population.
This role supports NHS Englands ambition that by 2028:
- 55,000 more people will survive 5 years following a cancer diagnosis
- 75% of cancers will be diagnosed at stage 1 or 2
- Patient experience will be improved through more personalised cancer care
The Early Diagnosis Cancer Navigator will support the PCN in delivering targeted initiatives that enhance early detection, optimise cancer pathways, improve screening uptake, and reduce inequalities in care, with a particular focus on local population needs.
All staff are expected to work to Cumbria Healths Values:
- Clinically focused - Everything every one of us does is for the patient
- Responsive - We listen and we respond quickly in a patient focussed way
- One Team - We work together to provide a high quality service which is organised and consistent, and in partnership with both the local Acute and Community Trusts
- High Standards - We provide skilled professionals working to the highest standards who are passionate about improving patient care
The role of Cancer Navigator is to work with the Waterloo House Surgery team and wider Cumbria Health teams and the local Millom and Haverigg community to provide an all-encompassing approach to personalised care for patients to improving cancer detection, prevention, and personalised care, promoting and embedding the personalised care approach.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Millom PCN is a uniquely structured Primary Care Network formed by a single GP practice. This provides a rare opportunity to focus efforts on local priorities with streamlined decision-making and a close-knit team environment. The post holder will play a critical role in improving cancer detection, prevention, and personalised care across the local population.
This role supports NHS Englands ambition that by 2028:
- 55,000 more people will survive 5 years following a cancer diagnosis
- 75% of cancers will be diagnosed at stage 1 or 2
- Patient experience will be improved through more personalised cancer care
The Early Diagnosis Cancer Navigator will support the PCN in delivering targeted initiatives that enhance early detection, optimise cancer pathways, improve screening uptake, and reduce inequalities in care, with a particular focus on local population needs.
All staff are expected to work to Cumbria Healths Values:
- Clinically focused - Everything every one of us does is for the patient
- Responsive - We listen and we respond quickly in a patient focussed way
- One Team - We work together to provide a high quality service which is organised and consistent, and in partnership with both the local Acute and Community Trusts
- High Standards - We provide skilled professionals working to the highest standards who are passionate about improving patient care
The role of Cancer Navigator is to work with the Waterloo House Surgery team and wider Cumbria Health teams and the local Millom and Haverigg community to provide an all-encompassing approach to personalised care for patients to improving cancer detection, prevention, and personalised care, promoting and embedding the personalised care approach.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE Grade A-C in Maths & English, or equivalent.
Desirable
- Is enrolled in, undertaking, or qualified in appropriate training as set out in the core curriculum by the Personalised Care Institute.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable patient assessment skills
- Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams
- Hold a valid Driving licence
Desirable
- Experience working in primary care or adult social care
- Experience of working in a care co-ordinator role
Personal attributes & abilities
Essential
- Ability to actively listen, empathise with people and provide personalised support in a non-judgemental way
- Ability to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships and promote collaborative practice with all colleagues
- Ability to organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines
- Ability to provide motivational coaching to support peoples behaviour change
- Ability to co-ordinate and prioritise workloads able to multi-task as well as be self-disciplined and highly motivated
Desirable
- High degree of personal credibility, emotional intelligence, patience and flexibility
- Ability to cope with unpredictable situations
- Confident in facilitating and challenging others
- Demonstrates a flexible approach in order to ensure patient care is delivered
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the personalised care approach
- Understanding of social, economic and environment factors on health of patients, families and carers
Desirable
- Familiarity with GP computer systems such as EMIS.
- Knowledge of how the NHS works, including primary care and PCNs
- Basic understanding of long-term conditions
- Understanding safeguarding principles
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders which are based on openness, honesty trust and confidence
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with people, families, carers, community groups, health and other statutory agencies and stakeholders.
Desirable
- Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE Grade A-C in Maths & English, or equivalent.
Desirable
- Is enrolled in, undertaking, or qualified in appropriate training as set out in the core curriculum by the Personalised Care Institute.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable patient assessment skills
- Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams
- Hold a valid Driving licence
Desirable
- Experience working in primary care or adult social care
- Experience of working in a care co-ordinator role
Personal attributes & abilities
Essential
- Ability to actively listen, empathise with people and provide personalised support in a non-judgemental way
- Ability to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships and promote collaborative practice with all colleagues
- Ability to organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines
- Ability to provide motivational coaching to support peoples behaviour change
- Ability to co-ordinate and prioritise workloads able to multi-task as well as be self-disciplined and highly motivated
Desirable
- High degree of personal credibility, emotional intelligence, patience and flexibility
- Ability to cope with unpredictable situations
- Confident in facilitating and challenging others
- Demonstrates a flexible approach in order to ensure patient care is delivered
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the personalised care approach
- Understanding of social, economic and environment factors on health of patients, families and carers
Desirable
- Familiarity with GP computer systems such as EMIS.
- Knowledge of how the NHS works, including primary care and PCNs
- Basic understanding of long-term conditions
- Understanding safeguarding principles
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders which are based on openness, honesty trust and confidence
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with people, families, carers, community groups, health and other statutory agencies and stakeholders.
Desirable
- Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
