Job summary
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.

About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

Details
Date posted
06 August 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£49,387 to £56,515 a year
per annum pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time,
Flexible working
Reference number
321-CSS-8135485-B7
Job locations
Churchill Hospital
Old Road
Headington, Oxford
OX3 7LE
United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
Key aspects of the role (please see Job Description for full details)

• 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

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Churchill Hospital
Old Road
Headington, Oxford
OX3 7LE
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Operations Manager
Avi Laws
avianna.laws@ouh.nhs.uk

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.