Oncology Nurse Navigator (RN), GI

Stanford Health Care•Palo Alto, CA

2d•$82 - $108

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 through nurse-led navigation across the patient journey from diagnosis to survivorship. The Navigator collaborates with physicians and their clinical teams, including patient care coordinators, patient 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 role builds trusting relationships with patients and caregivers, advocates for patients, and coordinates care across clinical teams. Navigation activities are monitored to facilitate shared decision-making, patient engagement, attention to patient needs, and communication consistent with patient values and preferences. The Cancer Destination Service Line is part of an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and provides care through a network of seven clinical sites. The role contributes to care coordination and patient support throughout diagnosis, treatment, recovery, survivorship, and palliation, and may participate in establishing workflows, developing processes, and growing research and care programs. The position is a day-shift role with an eight-hour schedule. Base pay generally starts at $81.59–$108.12 per hour; the final salary depends on factors including internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university.
At least five years of registered nurse experience.
At least two to three 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, 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

MS or MSN degree.
Experience with nurse navigation and/or ambulatory oncology case management.
Knowledge of adult learning styles and teaching methods, and 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.
Oncology Nurse Certification (OCN).
Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS).

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 patients’ 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 services for at-risk populations identified through nurse navigation tracking tools; collaborate with social work and nutrition on environmental barriers affecting adherence to cancer care pathways, as appropriate.
Facilitate communication among members of the cancer clinical care team and provide one-on-one oncology nurse navigation addressing patients’ and caregivers’ 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 Cancer Destination Service Line or community support services.
Perform strategic patient touchpoints from diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and/or palliation in accordance with NCCN and Stanford quality guidelines.
Support accreditation requirements across Cancer Destination Service Line cancer centers and work with the accreditation team to ensure quality standards are met, 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.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to triage patient needs, connect patients with services, and coordinate care across clinical teams.