Oncology Nurse Navigator for Breast Cancer - Life With Cancer

Inova • Fairfax, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Life With Cancer is seeking a dedicated Oncology Nurse Navigator for breast cancer at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Fairfax. This full-time, exempt, day-shift role works Monday through Friday and provides therapeutic, holistic, systematic care across the hospital, broader continuum of care, and community for people with past, current, or potential cancer diagnoses.

The navigator guides patients and families from diagnosis and testing through treatment, follow-up, and survivorship. The role coordinates care, serves as a liaison and advocate, helps patients access healthcare and community resources, and supports informed participation in care decisions. The navigator assesses clinical and psychosocial needs, addresses barriers and complex cases, provides education and emotional support, and collaborates with patients, families, caregivers, multidisciplinary teams, physicians, and community services.

The role also contributes to program development, quality improvement, community outreach, support groups, and professional education. The navigator promotes evidence-based practice, maintains oncology nursing certification, mentors other navigators, and collaborates with cancer program administration and the cancer committee on accreditation requirements and standards.

Requirements

• 3 to 5 years of progressive clinical nursing experience with primary care management of the patient population.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association.
• Obtain oncology certification within 2 years of employment.
• Strong oncology knowledge.
• Basic knowledge of managed care.
• Working knowledge of insurance coverage and procedures.
• Working knowledge of community resources.
• Understanding of healthcare facilities and processes.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Proficient computer skills.

Nice To Haves

• Previous oncology experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Guide patients and families through diagnosis, testing, treatment, follow-up care, and survivorship.
• Coordinate care plans, including answering questions, scheduling appointments when appropriate, assisting with referrals, and providing community resources.
• Provide patient education and advocacy throughout the care process, including education about diagnosis, treatment options, side-effect management, clinical trials, post-treatment care, and survivorship.
• Connect patients with internal and external services for screening, diagnosis, treatment, clinical research, support, and aftercare; refer cases to appropriate resources.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and promote timely follow-up on treatment and supportive-care recommendations, including cancer conferences and tumor boards.
• Facilitate individualized, culturally sensitive care that accounts for functional status, health literacy, psychosocial, reproductive and fertility, and spiritual needs.
• Identify and address barriers to access and continuity of care; document, track, and monitor patient data; contribute to quality improvement; and manage caseloads and complex cases.
• Serve as a liaison, advocate, and point of contact for patients and families, anticipate needs, promote patient rights and shared decision-making, and support patient-centered goals of care.
• Assist patients and families with financial, psychosocial, functional, and administrative concerns by explaining options and making referrals.
• Build therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and caregivers; provide emotional support, counseling, and resources; and facilitate referrals during periods of stress or anxiety.
• Educate patients, families, and caregivers individually and in groups about treatment options, self-care, community resources, and ethical decision-making across the disease continuum.
• Promote the healthcare program to community resources, develop written materials and public presentations, co-facilitate at least one disease-specific support group, and participate in relevant community outreach.
• Build effective relationships with healthcare providers and community resources to improve outcomes and identify or resolve barriers to care.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of health and psychosocial needs and develop care plans in collaboration with healthcare providers, patients, and their support systems.
• Serve as a clinical consultant and team member, educate healthcare delivery team members, and support patient satisfaction and access to appropriate care.
• Collaborate with physicians and support staff to help prevent unnecessary hospital, emergency department, or clinic visits and improve treatment adherence through patient education and follow-up.
• Maintain oncology nursing certification and promote lifelong learning and evidence-based practice.
• Contribute to the healthcare community's knowledge of oncology navigation through professional organizations, presentations, publications, and research.
• Share information about the navigator role through peer education, mentoring, and preceptor experiences; orient, mentor, and guide novice Oncology Nurse Navigators.
• Collaborate with cancer program administration and the cancer committee on strategies to meet American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and other relevant accreditation standards.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Team member wellness program.
• Retirement plan with Inova matching the first 5% of eligible contributions, starting on the first day.
• Education assistance of up to $5,250 per year.
• Student loan assistance of up to $10,000.
• Up to 25 mental health coaching or therapy sessions per person, per year, at no cost, for team members, their spouses or partners, and their children.

What This Job Offers

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