Oncology Nurse Navigator (RN)

Stanford Health Care•Stanford, CA

6d•$82 - $108•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 through survivorship and beyond. The Navigator collaborates with physicians and the broader clinical team, including patient care coordinators, financial counselors, clinical research coordinators, social workers, genetic counselors, and supportive-care specialists. As part of an interdisciplinary team, the Navigator triages clinical and supportive-care needs and connects patients with services that support holistic care. The position builds trusting relationships with patients and caregivers, advocates for patients, and connects care across clinical teams. Navigation activities are monitored to support shared decision-making, patient engagement, responsiveness to patient needs, and communication aligned with patients’ values and preferences. The role is based in Stanford Health Care’s Cancer Destination Service Line, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center with seven clinical sites. The program provides comprehensive navigation and supportive services across diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and beyond. The position works a hybrid Monday–Friday schedule of eight-hour days, approximately four onsite days and one remote day depending on clinic needs. There are no evenings, weekends, holidays, or on-call duties. The Navigator helps ensure care follows National Comprehensive Cancer Network and/or Stanford clinical care pathways, including available clinical trials. The role assesses patient education needs; provides disease-specific information; addresses barriers to care; facilitates communication and referrals; provides culturally appropriate education; screens for distress; supports accreditation and quality standards; and represents the Cancer Destination Service Line in relevant professional associations.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university.
At least 5 years of registered nurse experience.
At least 2 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 overall 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

Master of Science (MS) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
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 health-care team members 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) and/or Stanford clinical care pathway guidelines, 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 provision of services for at-risk populations identified through nurse-navigation tracking tools; collaborate with social work and nutrition on environmental barriers as appropriate.
Facilitate communication among members of the cancer clinical care team and provide one-on-one oncology nurse navigation for patients, caregivers, and families.
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 arrange 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 work with the accreditation team to ensure quality standards are met, including CoC, NAPBC, and QOPI requirements.
Represent and serve as a liaison for Stanford Cancer Destination Service Line with academies and associations, including AONN, ACCC, and ONS.