LEAD NAVIGATOR

Company information

Company

HST Careers

Division

Corporate Services

Province

KwaZulu-Natal

District

Zululand District Municipality

Job Specification Information

Title

LEAD NAVIGATOR

Description

The Health Systems Trust (HST) seeks to appoint a Lead Navigator for the Breast Cancer Project in Zululand. To lead, coordinate and supervise Patient Navigators within the Breast Cancer Navigation Project while actively participating in patient navigation processes across screening, abnormal results follow-up, diagnosis, referral, treatment initiation, treatment support, adherence support, follow-up and survivorship. The role ensures that patients receive timely, coordinated, person-centred support; barriers to care are identified and addressed; complex cases are escalated appropriately; and navigation services are delivered in line with project objectives, approved clinical referral pathways, organisational policies, confidentiality requirements and reporting standards. This is a fixed-term contract, renewable based on performance and funding

Key Responsibilities

• Lead patient-centred breast cancer navigation across screening, abnormal results follow-up, diagnosis, referral, treatment initiation, treatment support, adherence support, follow-up and survivorship • Supervise, guide and support Patient Navigators to identify and address barriers to timely care, including transport, appointment attendance, understanding of care pathways, treatment adherence and access to psychosocial or social support • Provide direct navigation support for complex, priority or escalated patient cases within the agreed scope of practice • Coordinate referrals, appointment tracking and follow-up with clinics, hospitals, oncology services, social workers, community organisations and other stakeholders • Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, sub-district engagements and case review discussions to improve continuity of care and patient outcomes. Provide technical support, training and mentorship to DoH facility and community-based staff • Ensure accurate documentation for accountability and reporting • Support efficient use of programme resources • Maintain compliance with organisational and donor requirements • Compile and submit accurate daily, weekly and monthly programme reports, including progress against navigation indicators • Use monitoring data to identify service gaps, bottlenecks and opportunities to improve patient flow and project implementation • Orientate, mentor and coach Patient Navigators on breast cancer navigation workflows, communication, documentation and escalation processes • Identify training needs and support ongoing capacity building for the navigation team • Participate in relevant breast cancer, oncology, counselling, data management and community health training • Participate directly in patient intake, needs assessment, barrier identification, care coordination, referral tracking and follow-up processes • Support patients and caregivers to understand appointments, referrals, care pathways, treatment support requirements and available support services without providing clinical advice outside scope • Track missed appointments, delayed referrals, treatment interruptions and patients requiring active follow-up, and coordinate corrective action with Patient Navigators • Escalate clinical, safeguarding, psychosocial or social support concerns to the appropriate professional, facility contact or Project Manager

Key Attributes

• Understands the organisation’s mandate and the role of patient navigation within the Breast Cancer Navigation Project • Aligns navigation activities with health system priorities, project objectives and approved referral pathways • Supports improved breast cancer outcomes through timely navigation, barrier reduction and coordinated follow-up • Contributes to programme goals by supervising navigators and strengthening patient flow across the care continuum • Collects, reviews and uses navigation data to monitor patient progress, barriers, referrals and outcomes • Maintains accurate records and uses information to support supervision, reporting and service improvement • Makes appropriate navigation and referral decisions within scope of practice • Escalates complex clinical, psychosocial, safeguarding or operational cases to the appropriate professional or manager • Plans, allocates and monitors navigation work effectively across the navigator team • Meets reporting deadlines and ensures follow-up actions are completed within agreed timeframes • Works collaboratively with Patient Navigators, facility teams, oncology services, social workers and community stakeholders • Builds supportive relationships that strengthen referrals, follow-up and continuity of care • Communicates clearly, respectfully and sensitively with patients, caregivers, navigators and multidisciplinary teams • Produces accurate supervision notes, patient navigation updates and programme reports • Encourages patients to remain engaged in screening, referral, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up processes • Motivates and guides Patient Navigators to deliver consistent, compassionate and timely support

Education Required

Matric

Qualification Required

• Grade 12 Certificate or equivalent qualification • Relevant qualification or training in community health work, social auxiliary work, counselling, patient navigation, public health, oncology support or a related field is advantageous • Fluency in English and relevant local language(s) for the project area

Experience Required

• = One year experience in patient navigation, community health, social support, public health, NGO programme delivery or a related health services environment • Experience supervising, mentoring or coordinating a small team or field-based staff • Understanding of breast cancer screening, referral, diagnosis, treatment support and survivorship pathways • Ability to identify barriers to care and coordinate appropriate referrals and follow-up actions • Strong administrative, data quality, recordkeeping and reporting skills • Good communication, counselling, interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills • IT literacy and ability to use electronic or paper-based patient tracking and reporting tools • Problem-solving, planning and analytical skills, with ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team • Experience in breast cancer, oncology, women’s health or non-communicable disease programmes • Experience in community-based patient support or facility-linked navigation services • Experience working with vulnerable populations and addressing social determinants of health • Knowledge of district health services, referral networks, oncology services and community support resources

Remuneration

A salary package commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications and in line with HST’s job grading system will be offered.

Other Job Details

• Interested applicants must complete their application online at: https://careers.hst.org.za/ • Applicants are to ensure that their online applications are completed in full, and that comprehensive CVs are uploaded with the online application in order to be considered. • Applicant’s CV must be saved with a filename reflecting their name and surname. • No applications sent via e-mail will be considered for the job, as all applicants must submit their applications online at the provided link. PLEASE NOTE: • All personal information collected is processed lawfully in terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). • Shortlisted candidates will be requested to submit certified copies of all qualifications and identity documents. • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. • Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates. • All shortlisted candidates will be subjected to reference and credential checks. • If you have not been contacted within 30 days of the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful. • HST reserves the right to not fill this position. CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 11 August 2026, at 16h30. Health Systems Trust subscribes to diversity and inclusivity, which is informed by the Company’s Employment Equity Plan.