Registered Nurse, Breast Health Nurse Navigator

City of Hope•Goodyear, AZ

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Breast Health Nurse Navigator utilizes advanced clinical skills, including assessment, planning, intervention, coordination, and evaluation, to guide patients through the continuum of breast health care—from screening and diagnosis through surgery, treatment, survivorship, and ongoing follow-up. Serving as the primary clinical resource, patient advocate, and point of contact, the Breast Health Nurse Navigator coordinates multidisciplinary care for patients with abnormal breast imaging findings, breast cancer, high-risk lesions, and benign breast disease. Working closely with patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare professionals, the navigator provides education, emotional support, and coordinated care to promote timely diagnosis, treatment adherence, and optimal clinical outcomes. The role facilitates seamless communication among radiology, breast surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, genetics, rehabilitation, and supportive care services, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive, patient-centered care throughout their treatment journey. The Breast Health Nurse Navigator proactively identifies and addresses barriers to care, promotes effective utilization of healthcare and community resources, and advocates for culturally sensitive, individualized care. In collaboration with the multidisciplinary care team, the navigator serves in a leadership capacity to improve care coordination, enhance patient experience, support quality initiatives, and achieve optimal clinical, operational, and resource outcomes. Through expert navigation, education, and advocacy, the Breast Health Nurse Navigator helps ensure seamless patient experience and timely progression through diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and survivorship.

Requirements

2 years of experience in Breast Imaging and/or Oncology Nursing
Associate Degree in Nursing or equivalent
Arizona Registered Nurse License or a Registered Nurse License form a Compact State
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification

Nice To Haves

Breast Health Clinical Navigator (BHCN) Certification preferred

Responsibilities

Guides patients through all phases of breast health care, including screening mammography, diagnostic imaging, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, image-guided breast biopsies, surgical consultation, treatment planning, and survivorship.
Educates patients and families regarding breast anatomy, breast disease, breast imaging procedures, pathology findings, surgical options, treatment plans, expected outcomes, recovery, and follow-up care.
Reviews abnormal imaging findings, explains recommended next steps, and assists patients in understanding pathology results and treatment recommendations.
Coordinates timely scheduling of diagnostic imaging, biopsies, surgical consultations, preoperative testing, medical clearances, surgical procedures, oncology referrals, and follow-up appointments.
Tracks patients with abnormal imaging findings, newly diagnosed breast cancer, high-risk lesions, and benign breast disease to ensure timely progression through diagnosis, surgery, and treatment while preventing delays in care.
Serves as the primary liaison between patients and the multidisciplinary care team, including radiologists, breast surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, primary care providers, plastic surgeons, genetic counselors, physical therapists, lymphedema specialists, social workers, nutritionists, and survivorship providers.
Assesses patients for physical, emotional, psychosocial, cultural, financial, educational, language, transportation, and other barriers to care and facilitates appropriate support services and resources.
Provides emotional support, counseling, and ongoing guidance to patients and families throughout the diagnostic, treatment, and recovery process.
Coordinates referrals for genetic counseling and testing, reconstructive surgery, oncology services, rehabilitation services, survivorship programs, and other supportive care resources as appropriate.
Monitors postoperative recovery, facilitates communication of pathology results, and coordinates follow-up care and multidisciplinary treatment planning.
Assists in the development and coordination of survivorship care plans following completion of treatment.
Ensures compliance with breast imaging, breast cancer, and surgical quality standards, including timely follow-up of BI-RADS recommendations and other established clinical guidelines.
Participates in multidisciplinary breast conferences, tumor boards, and care planning meetings to support coordinated, evidence-based patient care.