Oncology Nurse Navigator (RN), GI Oncology

Stanford Health Care • Palo Alto, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Oncology Nurse Navigator is a licensed nurse with experience in cancer clinical care coordination and care management. The role optimizes care coordination, patient experience, and clinical outcomes by providing nurse-led navigation throughout the patient journey, from diagnosis to survivorship. The Navigator collaborates with physicians and clinical teams—including patient care coordinators, patient financial counselors, clinical research coordinators, social workers, genetic counselors, and supportive care specialists—to triage clinical and supportive care needs and connect patients with appropriate services. The role builds trusting relationships with patients and caregivers, advocates for patients, and coordinates care across clinical teams. Navigation activities are monitored to support shared decision-making, patient engagement, needs assessment, and communication aligned with patient values and preferences.

This is a hybrid position scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with approximately four onsite days and one remote day based on clinic needs. There are no evenings, weekends, holidays, or on-call requirements. The role is part of Stanford Health Care’s Cancer Destination Service Line, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and works with an interdisciplinary team across its clinical network.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of 5 years of registered nurse experience.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience as a registered nurse in oncology.
• California Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Clinical knowledge of disease processes, clinical trial information, symptom management, and appropriate cancer care services.
• Knowledge of cancer disease processes and treatment.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Ability to manage group processes and build effective working relationships.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to implement professional and community-based education programs.
• Experience with MS Office.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Organized and detail-oriented, with strong follow-through abilities.

Nice To Haves

• MS or MSN degree.
• Experience with nurse navigation and/or ambulatory oncology case management.
• Oncology Nurse Certification (OCN).
• Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS).
• Knowledge of adult learning styles and teaching methods, including the ability to deliver educational programs to staff and the community.
• Experience with Epic EMR.
• Ability to integrate patient care with other members of the interdisciplinary health care team and provide direction or guidance to non-licensed personnel in the assigned area to ensure quality care.
• Ability to develop materials involving graphics and tables.

Responsibilities

• Ensure clinical care meets National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines and/or Stanford clinical care pathways, including awareness of clinical trials across the Cancer Destination Service Line network.
• Assess patient education needs and provide disease-specific information about clinical trials, treatment options, symptom management, and supportive care programs.
• Address clinical and health-system barriers to care and arrange services for at-risk populations identified through nurse navigation tracking tools.
• Collaborate with social work and nutrition to address environmental barriers that affect patients’ ability to follow cancer care pathways, as appropriate.
• Facilitate communication among members of the cancer clinical care team and provide one-on-one oncology nurse navigation to address patients’ and caregivers’ mental, emotional, and physical needs.
• Focus on clinically oriented referrals, second opinions, outside testing, local treatment options, and community supportive care options.
• Provide clinical care and educational materials in a culturally appropriate manner and facilitate additional services to meet patients’ and families’ cultural needs.
• Screen and assess patients for distress and refer them to appropriate services within the cancer service line or community.
• Conduct strategic patient touchpoints from diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and/or palliation in accordance with NCCN and Stanford quality guidelines.
• Support accreditation requirements within Cancer Destination Service Line cancer centers and help ensure quality standards are met with the accreditation team, including CoC, NAPBC, and QOPI.
• Represent and serve as a liaison for Stanford Cancer Destination Service Line with academies and associations, including AONN, ACCC, and ONS.

Benefits

• $2,000 per year in continuing education funds for conferences, advanced certifications, or further education.
• $15,000 scholarship opportunity toward degrees.
• Benefits overview is referenced in the posting, but specific additional benefits are not listed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level