Care Navigator

Care Navigators are often the first person a patient speaks to when they contact a GP practice. They listen to patients' needs, answer questions, take calls, support appointments and referrals, update records, and help with things like prescription requests. By discussing the different options available, they help people access the right service and get the support they need at the right time. If you enjoy helping others, communicating with people, and solving problems, this role can make a real difference to someone's health and wellbeing.

Care Navigator is also known as Receptionist, Patient support team, GP Receptionist.

Role Characteristics

Deal with a wide range of patient queries, face to face or over the phone
Work alongside the Doctors to prioritise and allocate appointments
A wide range of administrative tasks for patients
Complete referrals and order prescriptions
Support the clinical team
Update the inhouse system and log all calls

Skills

Active listening
Advice giving
Attention to detail
Communication
Customer service
Organisation

Day in the life

You can find out more about how to become and Care Navigator and what it involves here

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

Pre-employment Programmes

Apply directly

GCSEs

BTEC, T-Level or A-Levels

How to become

There are several ways to start a career as a Care Navigator, whether you're leaving education, looking for your first job or changing careers.

Here are some ideas, and you can explore current opportunities in the section below.

Study a course or qualification – useful qualifications include GCSEs (usually English and Maths), Health and Social Care, Customer Service, Business Administration or Public Services-related courses, T Levels and BTECs. These can all help you to develop knowledge, skills and prepare for work.
Build workplace experience – this could be paid work, volunteering, or work experience online or in-person in GP practices, healthcare organisations, charities, community services, reception roles or customer service environments, helping you to develop skills in communication, active listening, customer service, organisation and attention to detail.
Complete a pre-employment programme – a short course which supports you to gain confidence, skills and experience helping you prepare for work. Pre-employment programmes are listed as a route into this role.
Apprenticeships – you can gain experience in the workplace whilst also studying a qualification in Business Administration, Customer Service or Healthcare Administration.
Applying directly – there are no set entry requirements, although employers will often expect good English, Maths and IT skills. You may need GCSEs or equivalent qualifications in English and Maths.
Moving from another role – think about how you'll be able to transfer your skills in customer service, administration, reception, retail, hospitality or working with the public into a Care Navigator role. Communication, active listening and organisation are particularly important skills to develop.

Where can this role lead

From your role as a Care Navigator, you could specialise in helping people access community support and wellbeing services by becoming a Social Prescriber or a General Practice Nurse. These roles build on your experience of supporting patients, understanding services and helping people get the right support.

Your experience communicating with patients, handling enquiries, coordinating appointments and supporting healthcare teams would also transfer well into sideways moves such as Medical Secretary, Call Handler, Health Trainer or Community Development Support Worker.

If you would like to progress within administration and leadership, you could become a Team Leader or Practice Manager, helping to coordinate teams and support the delivery of primary care services.

If you would like to move into more direct patient support and care, Healthcare Support Worker, Social Prescriber or General Practice Nurse could be excellent next steps, allowing you to work more closely with individuals to support their health and wellbeing

Location

GP Practices

Working hours

Weekdays
Part Time
Full Time

Opportunities

Apprenticeships

Administration Apprenticeship roles

Find out more about Administration apprenticeships across Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust

Organisation: Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust

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Courses

Customer Service Pre-Employment Programme

This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who is looking to take their first step into an administration role within the health and care sector.

Organisation: Leeds Health and Care Talent Hub

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BTECs, T-levels or A-levels

Management and Administration T Level

This qualification offers learners a fantastic opportunity to learn important theoretical knowledge of how a business operates alongside gaining hands-on experience in the workplace, to ensure they can have a meaningful impact when they progress into the world of work.

Organisation: Leeds City College

View opportunity

BTECs, T-levels or A-levels

T Level Business (Management & Administration)

This Business T Level study programme provides you with the practical and academic skills and knowledge to progress into a career in Business Support, Team Leadership and Management.

Organisation: Wakefield College

View opportunity

Courses

Principles of Business Administration

The student will learn through the support of relevant materials for the course, with a knowledgeable tutor providing advice and guidance on the course content.

Organisation: Heart of Yorkshire Education Group

View opportunity