RN Navigator Oncology

• Navigators provide education and support to patients caregivers families healthcare professionals communities etc.


• Provides education to patients families providers caregivers multidisciplinary colleagues and the community about cancer and the role of the oncology nurse navigator


• Serves as primary contact and advocate for patients


• Provides support for patients across the cancer continuum


• Acts as a liaison among the patient family caregivers and healthcare team


• Practices evidence-based processes including use of clinical guidelines and specialty resources


• Educates and assess patients understanding of the disease process and treatment options required for informed decisions


• Assists patients with their treatment goals


• Provides comprehensive documentation of patient encounters education and referrals


• Provides and reinforce education in all phases of cancer continuum including but not limited to: treatment care plan symptom management and survivorship concerns


• Educates and reinforce the issue of adherence to the treatment plan


• Develops oncology-related education materials


• Possesses clinical trial awareness and promote trial types and requirements and engage with research team as appropriate


• Understands criteria for molecular testing and genetic counseling


• Maintains current trends and evidence through lifelong learning with continuing education and evidence-based practice


• Discusses physician visits with patients and families to assess understanding interpret information as needed and answer questions


• Contributes to the knowledge base of the healthcare community through involvement in professional organizations presentations publications and research


• Empowers patients with education and knowledge to help improve patient outcomes and satisfaction


• Attends community health fairs and screenings; provides community education presentations as appropriate


• Facilitates/participates/attends support groups and family/patient center programs as appropriate


• Provides patient information on available services community resources and/or support groups.


• Contacts provider offices to establish check and balance of referrals


• Possesses a basic understanding of insurance (co-pays deductibles co-insurance)


• Contacts patient at diagnosis high stress points pre- and post-surgery time of initiation of therapy and any other flag touch point


• Meets with patient by phone or in person within designated time following designated event and follow patient per navigator- or facility- specific guidelines

• Facilitate and coordinate timely care coordination throughout the cancer continuum in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.


• Facilitates keeping care in the system by identifying opportunities to retain diagnostic testing radiation oncology services etc.


• Communicates with ancillary departments to define and resolve specific problem areas and ensure timely delivery of patient care including but not limited to diagnosis and treatment


• Contacts patient at diagnosis high stress points pre- and post-surgery time of initiation of therapy and any other flag touch point


• Coordinates and schedules appointments with providers to ensure timely delivery of diagnostic services treatment services and appropriate survivorship or hospice/palliative care


• Accompanies patients to appointments (particularly if there are multiple barriers to care) and/or providing clarification and literacy-level-appropriate education related to the visit


• Assists with the post-treatment transition to survivorship clinic and/or primary care


• Collaborates & communicates frequently and consistently with providers & other appropriate healthcare team members ensuring seamless plan of care and follow-up care


• Ensures timely delivery of test results to patient by a care team member


• Assists in selecting patients to be presented at Tumor Board and gather necessary patient information to present patient to physicians for discussion


• Provides telephone triage services (e.g. symptom management emotional support education resource referral) for patients/families


• Facilitates communication with patients survivors families and the health care providers to monitor patient satisfaction with the cancer care experience


• Ensures patient adherence with treatment plan


• Gets referrals that are needed explaining the referral process and facilitating scheduling appointments with surgeon medical oncologist radiation oncologist and other necessary services as appropriate


• Follows patient through the care continuum/experience eliminating operational barriers (such as scheduling test results etc.) as well as other barriers to cancer services


• Works closely with other healthcare disciplines to coordinate care and ensure timely appointments result reporting financial need and other referrals communication patient care and follow-up


• Maintains an active role in disease specific Tumor Conferences including follow up on recommendations


• Provides comprehensive documentation of patients diagnostic testing treatments and referrals


• Works with a variety of diverse and complex patients families and both internal and external health care providers.


• Assures that the patient is connected to prevention services upon completion of active cancer treatment and into survivorship

• Nurse navigators utilize appropriate screening and assessment tools to make referrals that are appropriate for each individual patient based on their needs.


• Assesses & identify patients needs and make appropriate referrals based on patients needs which may include case managers social workers registered dietitians financial assistants genetic counselors chaplains counselors psychologists/psychiatrists PT/OT speech home care hospice palliative care interpreters multi-disciplinary conferences (tumor board) support groups lymphedema clinic oncology rehabilitation survivorship clinic


• Assesses for identify and assist in mitigating barriers to care and make appropriate referrals


• Utilizes appropriate screening and assessment tools (e.g. distress screening etc.)


• Maintains/uses a comprehensive database of local regional and national resources


• Understands resources available to patients experiencing financial hardships and/or are uninsured/underinsured


• Assists patients with access concerns (for screening diagnosis or treatment) and assists with paperwork and addressing access barriers as indicated.


• Provides appropriate resources in a timely manner to meet patients specific needs local and national resource list in binder.


• Facilitates individualized care based on culture health literacy ethics psychosocial needs etc.


• Assists patients with advance directives palliative care and end-of-life concerns

• In conjunction with the Department Director Navigators are responsible for systematically and continually performing the functions of assessing planning implementing and evaluating care according to the nursing process and the standards of accrediting bodies.


• Performs data entry and prepares reports for Director to monitor program outcomes


• Demonstrates problem solving skills and a win/win attitude


• Participates in tracking and monitoring metrics and outcomes


• Actively participate in tumor boards interdisciplinary meetings cancer committee and other meetings


• Reports navigation program outcomes to key stakeholders including but not limited to multidisciplinary teams cancer committee etc.


• Collaborates with other navigators internally & externally to share best practices and increase patient resources


• Ensures timely and appropriate documentation of all patient interactions into navigation tracking and documentation system and any databases to keep patient record up-to-date


• Assists with ongoing navigation program assessment and identification of process improvement opportunities


• Develops action plans for improvement as necessary


• Identifies implements and measures quality and process improvement initiatives


• Documents non-compliance of patients


• Pursues continuing education opportunities related to oncology and navigation


• Performs job duties and functions in an organized and time conscious manner


• Partners with patients families the interdisciplinary team and community resources to provide well-coordinated timely compassionate exemplary interdisciplinary care


• Forms recommendations and develops action plans that address options for improving care


• Evaluates own practice related to job specific performance expectations


• Identifies implements and monitors multiple QI initiatives to demonstrate program improvement and financial contribution and cost savings services of navigation (ie compliance to plan of care)


• Maintains disease site dashboard at least monthly


• Identifies and implement opportunities to improve patient satisfaction


• Demonstrates a productive work ethic ensuring the delivery of efficient & effective care


• Performs the functions of assessing planning implementing and evaluating the care delivered according to the nursing process and Oncology Nursing Society Standards of Practice


• Develops collaborative relationships both internally and externally


• Exhibits customer service skills leadership skills takes initiative and is self-directed cultural sensitivity/language skills patient triage skills nursing theory and practice knowledge and skills problem-solving skills and advocacy skills


• Ensures that navigator functions are meeting physician expectations and that navigator activities remain within scope of defined role


• Performs environmental scanning for innovations and changes in industry

Find it here.

Discover the job the career the purpose you were meant for. At Carle Health were committed to fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued respected and empowered where passion and purpose come together to positively impact the lives of our patients and our communities. Find it all at Carle Health.

Our nearly 17000 team members and providers work together to support patient care across central and southeastern Illinois. Weve grown to include eight award-winning hospitals and a multispecialty provider group with more than 1500 doctors and advanced practice providers. Were developing the next generation of providers and healthcare professionals through Carle Illinois College of Medicine the worlds first engineering-based medical school and Methodist College. Carle BroMenn Medical Center Carle Foundation Hospital Carle Health Methodist Hospital Carle Health Proctor Hospital Carle Health Pekin Hospital and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center hold Magnet designations the nations highest honor for nursing care. We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race color sex age national origin religion sexual orientation gender identity status as a veteran and basis of disability or any other federal state or local protected class. Carle Health participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and if necessary the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employees Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For more information: