Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Guide patients and families through the cancer care continuum.
- Coordinate diagnostic testing, consultations, procedures, treatments, and follow-up appointments.
- Ensure timely scheduling of oncology services and reduce delays in care.
- Track patients throughout treatment to ensure adherence to recommended care plans.
- Facilitate communication between patients, providers, specialists, and ancillary departments.
- Monitor referrals and follow up on missed appointments or gaps in care.
Patient Navigation and Care Coordination
- Guide patients and families through the cancer care continuum.
- Coordinate diagnostic testing, consultations, procedures, treatments, and follow-up appointments.
- Ensure timely scheduling of oncology services and reduce delays in care.
- Track patients throughout treatment to ensure adherence to recommended care plans.
- Facilitate communication between patients, providers, specialists, and ancillary departments.
- Monitor referrals and follow up on missed appointments or gaps in care.
Patient Education and Support
- Enhanced care coordination among multidisciplinary teams.
Increased Revenue Capture
- Reduction in missed appointments and treatment cancellations.
- Improved retention of oncology patients within the health system.
- Increased completion of diagnostic and treatment services.
- Enhanced coordination of referrals and ancillary services.
Quality and Accreditation Support
- Support compliance with oncology quality standards and accreditation requirements.
- Assist with data collection, reporting, and performance improvement initiatives.
- Improve documentation and tracking of patient outcomes.
- Support multidisciplinary cancer conferences and care planning activities.
Operational Efficiency
- Decrease administrative burden on physicians, nurses, and clinic staff.
- Improve communication among providers and departments.
- Streamline patient scheduling and care transitions.
- Provide a single point of contact for oncology patients and families.
Financial Impact
Cancer services represent a significant service line with opportunities for growth. Delays in care, patient leakage to competing organizations, and missed treatment opportunities negatively impact both patient outcomes and organizational revenue. A Nurse Cancer Navigator helps retain patients within the health system, improves appointment adherence, facilitates timely treatment, and maximizes utilization of oncology-related services. The financial benefits generated through improved patient retention, increased treatment completion rates, reduced no-show rates, and enhanced coordination of services are expected to offset the cost of the position while improving overall program performance.
Strategic Alignment
- Improving patient access to care.
- Enhancing quality and patient experience.
- Expanding oncology services.
- Reducing health disparities.
- Supporting population health initiatives.
- Strengthening multidisciplinary care coordination.
- Advancing health equity and patient-centered care.
Qualifications
Education
- Associate Degree in Nursing required.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
Licensure and Certification
- Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Illinois.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
- Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) certification preferred or obtained within two years of hire.
Experience
- Minimum three (3) years of nursing experience required.
- Minimum two (2) years of oncology nursing experience preferred.
- Experience in care coordination, case management, or patient navigation preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Knowledge of oncology disease processes, treatment modalities, and supportive care services.
- Strong patient advocacy and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
- Knowledge of community resources and support services.
- Strong organizational, problem‑solving, and critical‑thinking skills.
- Proficiency in electronic medical record systems.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
- Ability to use computers and office equipment for prolonged periods.