Cancer Care Nurse Navigator - Oncology (Full-Time)

JOB SUMMARY: The Cancer Care Nurse Navigator (CCNN) serves as a dedicated healthcare professional who guides patients and their families through the complex cancer care continuum. The navigator ensures timely access to care, coordination of services, education, and emotional support, while addressing barriers to treatment. This role collaborates closely with a multidisciplinary team to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.  Reports to Oncology Director.  Non-exempt position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Patient Navigation and Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for patients diagnosed with cancer.
• Guide patients through diagnosis, treatment planning, treatment, survivorship, and follow-up care.
• Assess and address barriers to care, such as financial concerns, transportation, or psychosocial challenges.
• Provide emotional support and connect patients and families with appropriate counseling resources.
• Provide ongoing follow-up for patients, addressing clinical concerns, answering questions, and ensuring continuity of care.
• Offer emotional support during difficult decision-making processes, including palliative and end-of-life care coordination.

2. Education and Advocacy

• Provide personalized education to patients and their families about their diagnosis, treatment options, potential side effects, and community resources in an understandable way.
• Provide nursing care and guidance to the cancer patient from screening to survivorship.
• Empower patients to make informed decisions about their care.
• Advocate for patient needs across the healthcare system.

3. Care Coordination

• Serve as the primary point of contact for patients, caregivers, and referring physicians throughout the cancer care continuum, including hematology/oncology, radiation oncology, surgical services, and more.
• Assist in overcoming financial and logistical barriers to care by collaborating with financial counselors and external providers, ensuring patients receive timely care.
• Facilitate patient appointments, including consultations, diagnostic tests, treatments, and specialty referrals within established care timelines to ensure timely progression through the cancer care pathway.
• Collaborate with oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, social workers, dietitians, and other team members to ensure comprehensive care.

4. Multidisciplinary Collaboration

• • Participate in tumor boards, case reviews, and care team meetings to develop individualized patient care plans.
  • Facilitate communication between providers to prevent gaps or duplication in services.

5. Quality Improvement and Reporting

• • Collect and report data related to patient outcomes, care delays, and barriers encountered.
  • Identify trends and participate in process improvement initiatives to enhance patient experience.

6. Documentation & Outcomes Monitoring:

• • Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records, documenting care coordination activities, treatment plans, and outcomes.
  • Support data collection efforts in collaboration with the Cancer Registry team to track patient progress and improve care quality.

7. Liaison & Community Engagement:

• • Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders such as physicians, office staff, diagnostic teams, and external providers.
  • Represent the clinic in community health events, education programs, screenings, and professional development activities.

8. Policy & Process Improvement:

• • Participate in the ongoing review and development of policies related to oncology care, ensuring alignment with best practices and national standards.
  • Assist in training and mentoring other healthcare staff as needed, supporting professional development.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Certification

• Registered Nurse (RN) licensure required.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• ONS Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy Administration Provider Card and the completion of the “Equipping the Novice Oncology Nurse Navigator: An ONS Collaboration with AONN” course through the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) required.
• Case Management Certification preferred.

Experience

• Experience in oncology required; experience in case management or related field preferred.
• Experience in patient education and coordination of care is highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies

• Knowledge of cancer diagnosis, treatment modalities, and care processes.
• Proficient with electronic medical records and patient tracking tools.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.

Work Environment

• Clinical and office settings, with occasional remote support for patients.
• May require some travel for patient follow-ups, conferences, or community outreach activities.

Key Attributes

• Compassionate, patient-centered approach to care.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Dedication to improving patient outcomes and navigating complex healthcare systems.

FUNCTIONAL DEMANDS

Functional Job Requirements:

Job requirements include, but are not limited to: sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, bending, squatting and reaching. Requires good finger dexterity, repetitive motions with hands and fingers.  Requires ability to have good vision and hearing. Pushing and pulling equipment may be necessary.

Lifting Requirements

Job requires heavy lifting on an occasional basis.

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising the job duties.