Oncology Nurse Navigator (RN)
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 through 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, and communication aligned with patients’ values and preferences. The position works within Stanford Health Care’s Cancer Destination Service Line, an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center with a network of seven clinical sites. The team includes professionals from multiple disciplines and supports patients throughout diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and beyond. The position may help establish workflows and processes, support the growth of research and other programs, and enhance patient care and coordination. This is a hybrid role with a Monday–Friday schedule of eight-hour days, approximately four onsite days and one remote day depending on clinic needs. The posting states there are no evenings, weekends, holidays, or on-call duties.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university.
- Five years of registered nurse experience.
- Two years of registered nurse experience 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, and 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
- Master of Science (MS) or Master of Science in Nursing (MS).
- 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, with ability to deliver educational programs to staff and the community.
- Experience with Epic EMR.
- Ability to integrate patient care with other interdisciplinary healthcare-team members and provide direction or guidance to non-licensed personnel in the assigned area of responsibility.
- 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 consideration of clinical trials available 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 service provision for at-risk populations identified by nurse-navigation tracking tools; collaborate with social work and nutrition to address environmental barriers as appropriate.
- Facilitate communication among cancer clinical-care team members and provide one-on-one oncology nurse navigation for patients, caregivers, and families’ mental, emotional, and physical needs.
- Coordinate 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 Destination 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 at Cancer Destination Service Line cancer centers and help ensure quality standards are met with the accreditation team, including CoC, NAPBC, and QOPI.
- Represent Stanford Cancer Destination Service Line and serve as a liaison to relevant academies and associations, including AONN, ACCC, and ONS.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
