Oncology Research Navigator

Community Health Network•Indianapolis, IN

About The Position

The Oncology Research Navigator manages oncology research inquiries and referrals, supports clinical research study operations, and navigates patients and caregivers through research participation and the cancer care continuum. The role works with providers and other members of the health care team to assess potential study eligibility, coordinate protocol-related care, and help patients achieve optimum outcomes. The position reports to the Oncology Research Manager. The navigator monitors the Oncology Research inbox and phone line, answers patient questions, provides research education, and manages referrals. The role supports study drug requests, serious adverse event reporting, study activities, and study start-up work, including Fast Facts, device set-up, and document development. It also collaborates at assigned Tumor Board Conferences, presents relevant enrolling studies, and reviews patients’ medical and medication histories for protocol-specific eligibility. For patient navigation, the role establishes therapeutic relationships with patients and caregivers, connects with patients at pivotal points in care, coordinates study visits and related scans, labs, referrals, or procedures, and documents protocol-related care and outcomes in patient charts. The navigator uses in-depth interviewing and advanced assessment techniques to determine potential study eligibility, provides input on care delivery and treatment-plan revisions, and collaborates with the care team to support accurate and timely protocol implementation. Duties may vary, and additional related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

A four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing, science, or clinical research is required; a combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of these education requirements.
Obtain Certified Clinical Research Coordinator certification (CCRC-ACRP) within three years of hire.
At least two years of relevant experience in clinical research, oncology, and/or a nursing position related to the area of specialty.
Ability to demonstrate critical clinical thinking related to qualification for research studies.
Mastery of clinical communication with internal and external physician providers.
Clinical research skills in collaboration, delegation, negotiation, and resource management.
Motivation and commitment as a member of the research and cancer care team.
Performance consistent with professional standards of clinical research, including compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and the organization’s mission and goals.
Ability to excel as a member of a fast-paced, highly motivated team.

Nice To Haves

Navigation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Monitor and manage the Oncology Research inbox and phone line; answer patient questions, provide research education, and manage referrals.
Assist with study drug requests, serious adverse event reporting, and study activities as needed.
Attend and collaborate at assigned Tumor Board Conferences.
Present enrolling studies relevant to the Tumor Board specialty, including the rationale, study drug mechanism of action, and appropriate patient population.
Review patients’ medical and medication histories before meetings to assess whether they meet protocol-specific criteria and may qualify for study enrollment.
Collaborate with appropriate health care team members to support prompt and accurate implementation of research protocols.
Identify team needs and communicate operational, practice, educational, equipment, interpersonal, or specialized-skill issues to the Manager.
Complete clinical study start-up activities, including development of Fast Facts, device set-up, and document development.
Manage new patient referrals to the oncology research team from within and outside the Network.
Review relevant studies with providers to determine patient eligibility and schedule patients appropriately.
Establish therapeutic relationships with patients and caregivers to support individualized needs and plans of care across the study protocol.
Connect with patients at pivotal points in care delivery and provide input regarding protocol-based patient care, documenting it in the patient chart.
Attend or coordinate patient visits, including scheduling visits, scans, labs, referrals, and procedures.
Evaluate and document patient outcomes in the patient chart in relation to the protocol.
Provide input regarding treatment-plan revisions, including variances, outcomes, and customer feedback.
Use in-depth interviewing and advanced assessment techniques to determine whether potential patients qualify for clinical research study enrollment.
Manage study participant care in clinical research trials and across the cancer care continuum to achieve optimum outcomes.