Cancer Nurse Navigator

Major Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement strategies ensuring quality, efficacy, and cost effectiveness for oncology patients across multiple settings.
• Assess patient needs and orient patients to hospital and outpatient settings.
• Deliver cancer care across the continuum—from diagnosis through treatment, transition to survivorship, and end‑of‑life care.
• Use the nursing process to provide patient and family insight with appropriate education and resources to facilitate informed decision‑making and timely access to quality health and psychosocial care throughout all phases of the cancer continuum.
• Critically think and clinically assess patients, managing the complexity of the cancer diagnosis.
• Communicate and collaborate with all multidisciplinary team members and treating physicians.
• Review distress screening for referrals and maintain physician partnership.
• Receive and respond to new patient referrals, and provide education and program development.
• Reinforce education regarding diagnosis and connect patients to appropriate resources.
• Develop and report outcome metrics to drive program development.
• Assess and implement activities supporting standards of Children’s Oncology Group (COG).
• Review and strategize activities that support community needs assessment of site‑specific results.
• Provide emotional support for patients and advocate on their behalf.
• Empower patients to self‑advocate and maintain own knowledge, skills, and competencies.
• Continue to model organizational behaviors of excellence.

• Registered Nurse (RN) license with current Illinois RN license.
• BSN required.
• Minimum of 5+ years clinical oncology experience.
• OCN or Nurse Navigator certification obtained within 2 years of hire.
• CPR certification.
• Global perspective of changing health care environment.
• Ability to prioritize work and meet established time constraints.
• Basic computer skills.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills.

• Flexible hours to accommodate patient needs.
• Commitment to patient‑focused care and ability to prioritize independently.
• Capability to work in fast‑paced environments with difficult situations.
• Potential exposure to hazardous materials and life‑threatening diseases.
• Ability to lift/transfer patients up to 50 lbs.; may require patient handling equipment and assistance when lifting above 35 lbs.
• Travel to visit physicians and other practices within the region.
• Recognize the needs and behaviors of specific age groups of patients.
• Perform additional related duties as required.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the incumbent, and the incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.