RN, Patient Navigator: FT 8a-4:30pm

Position Summary

 The RN, Oncology Patient Navigator is an experienced resource who coordinates services and guides patients and families through the healthcare system. The RN, Oncology Patient Navigator is a registered nurse with oncology specific clinical knowledge who offers individual assistance to patients, families, and caregivers in overcoming barriers within the healthcare system using the nursing process while working side-by-side with the multidisciplinary team to provide the highest quality of care for the patients and families of the Cancer Center.

What You Will Do 

• Meets with all new patients and assesses patient needs; sets goals; prescribes appropriate nursing actions to meet those goals and the physical, psychosocial, social, and rehabilitative needs of cancer patients. 


• Reports pertinent observations to the appropriate person and documents these observations accurately and concisely. 


• Assesses the need for changes in equipment or other products based on evidence, clinical outcomes, and cost effectiveness to improve outcomes for patients with cancer. 


• Facilitate shared decision making and engage patients in their care by forming trusting relationships and addressing patients’ communication and health literacy needs at all phases of the cancer care continuum. 


• Works with the team to develop and coordinate multidisciplinary consultations, tumor conferences and care pathways. 


• Establishes and maintains working relationships across healthcare disciplines to ensure timely  appointments and open communication on patient care in order to prevent patient loss to follow-up. 


• Communicates effectively with multidisciplinary team to coordinate oncology health services and provider referrals to ensure seamless/coordinated care and services. 


• Assists patients in overcoming barriers within the health care system to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment. 


• Assists in the development of patient and family educational materials and tools to establish  and maintain the navigational system. 


• Provides psychosocial support to patients through patient rounding and assessment of psychosocial distress screenings. 


• Provides clinical education and resources to facilitate informed decision making throughout the cancer continuum. 


• Contributes to a comprehensive plan of care as patients transition from active treatment to long term survivorship or end-of-life care. 


• Works with the Foundation for Firelands to seek/track grants and alternative funding opportunities. 


• Conducts ongoing outreach to health disparity communities. 


• Facilitates the involvement of community organizations that can help with access to services. 


• Coordinates with health insurance ombudsmen to help obtain patient healthcare coverage by public programs or private insurance.


• Continuously seeks opportunities for patient and family assistance available at local, state, and national level.


• Assists with insurance verification, obtaining oncology prior authorizations and pre-certification and documents accordingly. Assists the clinical team with tracking visits and obtaining re-certification from insurance companies.

What You Will Need

• Requires an RN degree with a minimum of 5 years’ of clinical experience 


• Prefer oncology experience with direct knowledge of the communities the Cancer Center serves to provide the best resource possible for the patients and team. 


• Position requires excellent leadership skills, organizational skills, verbal, and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and managerial experience is preferred. 


• Requires knowledge of the research and technology associated with breast cancer and high risk disease 


• Direct knowledge of the communities the hospital serves to provide the best resource possible for the patients and care team. 


• Knowledge of the services offered at Firelands Regional Medical Center and University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center in order to successfully and seamlessly navigate the system. 


• Requires problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, and focus. 


• Demonstrates the ability to be self-directed, work with and lead teams. 


• Flexibility in scheduling. 


• Demonstrates basic computer skills and the ability to adapt to new technology. 


• Ability to understand instructions and communicate effectively in both written and oral form. 


• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment requiring multi-tasking. 


• Ability to maintain a positive impression of the medical center at all times.