Description
Summary: The Oncology Care Navigator serves as a patient advocate by providing support and acting as a liaison between patients and physicians. This role works with multidisciplinary services to coordinate patient education, treatment, and follow-up with oncology patients. The Navigator promotes and facilitates optimal care and works with a diverse group of individuals including families, physicians, nurses, and other hospital staff. Acts as a liaison between cancer patients and community resources and assists with support groups, practical in-home support, targeted outreach, psychotherapy, educational and cultural and healing arts programs, and administrative and special event support. This role involves creating a vibrant community network to inform and enlist support for patient navigation services and other educational programs related to wellness and cancer care. This role serves as a resource to all clinical disciplines relative to the assigned area(s) of disease specialty. Responsibilities:
- Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
- Serve as an essential link between patients and all other care providers, including being the primary contact person for all Oncology patients.
- Follow patients throughout the care continuum, including inpatient admissions, and collaborate with inpatient care management resources.
- Identify client needs in terms of access to healthcare, and any barriers to a treatment plan.
- Track appointments with PCPs and surgeons to ensure timely delivery of diagnostic and treatment services.
- Monitor the online appointment portal and follow up with patients promote compliance and schedule appointments appropriately.
- The care navigator will provide follow-up and confirm patient understands the schedule and has transportation for the appointment.
- Track appointments to specialist office as needed to follow up on patient care.
- Facilitate the process for charity care for uninsured patients.
- Maintain communication with patients and the health care providers.
- Track quality measures and report results during appropriate meetings.
- Lead a multidisciplinary committee for cancer patient care. Coordinate regular meetings to monitor patient progress and address any barriers to continuity of care.
- When applicable, work with other entity patient navigators when an oncologist specialist is required.
- Responsible for tracking all cancer patients to ensure patients are receiving all appropriate medical care, imaging, referrals, etc., and continue to be engaged in their care.
- Ensure appropriate medical records and referring information are available at scheduled appointments.
- Encourage patients to comply with treatment goals and routinely review their progress toward these goals.
- Develop and maintain Cancer Support Groups.
- Develops, coordinates, and participates in weekly physician multidisciplinary conferences (Tumor Board), i.e., tracks scheduled procedures, follows pathology results, coordinates with
- pathology/radiology the collection of slides/films related to a diagnosis and monitors outcomes of meetings.
- Visits physician offices regularly. Handle physician/physician office issues in a timely manner. Initiate Physician communications as needed.
- Facilitates the navigation of patients with cancer as the single point of contact through the cancer pathway program. Ensure efficient and coordinated services through screening, diagnosis treatment, and support/educational services.
- Facilitates patient continuity of care between hospital departments and provides patient follow-up for laboratory, radiology, and pathology procedures.
- Educates patients concerning what can be expected prior to, during, and after diagnostic and treatment procedures. Develops and revises patient education materials. Provides staff and community education as required.
- Travels to physician offices and/or other hospital sites, as required, and completes reminder calls.
- Regularly meets with physician, staff, patient, family, or significant others to identify problems and or concerns, and provides timely resolution and support (within 24 hours).
- Works with the Oncology providers and general surgeons.
- Must have knowledge of survey requirements and local, state, and federal regulations.
- Performs other duties as assigned by management to support both departmental and organizational objectives.
Job Requirements: Education/Skills
- Associate's degree in nursing required
- Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred
Experience
- 3 years of direct healthcare experience required
- Experience including community outreach, Imaging, Radiation Therapy, Chemotherapy, or Oncology preferred
- Experience working in partnership with healthcare professionals and support staffing in a clinical setting is highly preferred
- Previous Oncology/Cancer Services navigator work experience preferred
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
- RN License in state of employment or compact required
- Breast Patient Navigator certification preferred
Work Schedule: 8AM - 5PM Monday-Friday Work Type: Full Time
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Christus Health
Aug 09, 2025