This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we are pleased to launch our new Professional Development Framework for Lung Cancer Navigators/Coordinators.
The framework is intended to guide Lung Cancer Navigators/Coordinators, their line managers and employers on the core skills, knowledge and training that they will gain and demonstrate as they progress in the role. It includes information on what LCNUK feel are the four pillars of the Lung Cancer Navigator/Coordinator role and key components of the role:
⚙️ Coordination ✋ Advocate ℹ️ Information 🔗 Facilitator
On the Navigator/Coordinator role, Jackie Fenemore, LCNUK chair 2019 - 2022, said:
“The lung cancer navigator or clinical care co-ordinator role is now a vital and established part of the team...When a navigator is in post, patients get a quicker response to enquiries and have extra support in very difficult and challenging circumstances. Every team should have at least one navigator post, if not more!”
🎧 Tune into our podcast for an introduction to the framework
In this podcast, Jane Weir, Larissa Griffiths and Amanda Abbott give an introduction to the new LCNUK Professional Development Framework for Lung Cancer Navigators / Coordinators. They also cover the importance and benefits of the Navigator / Coordinator role in driving better lung cancer care, what we hope the Framework will achieve, and what Trusts/Health boards across the UK should use the Framework for and why they should include Lung Cancer Navigators / Coordinators as part of their workforce.
🎯 Our goals for the framework
To support:
- those aspiring to become Lung Cancer Navigators/Coordinators understand the qualifications, skills and capabilities required to support patients and services in the role.
- existing Lung Cancer Navigators/Coordinators consider their priorities for professional development and having conversations with their managers about this.
- line managers, in aiding conversations with their staff members about their current competencies, professional development priorities and career goals.
- employers to understand the Lung Cancer Navigator/Coordinator role and how it can support better service delivery and lung cancer care and outcomes.
- policy makers and their understanding of the Lung Cancer Navigator/Coordinator role and how it contributes to improving service delivery, better outcomes and delivery of the new NHS 10-year health plan: Fit for the Future.
This document was produced by a working group comprising LCNSs and LCNUK committee members Julia McAdam, Karen Macrae and Jane Weir, as well as Navigators/Coordinators Amanda Abbott, Louise Blow, Alisha Gray, Larissa Griffiths, Alison Spray and Karen Whiteside.
We are grateful to everyone who contributed ideas and views as part of this project.