RN Navigator - Oncology (Methodist)

Carle Health•Peoria, IL

About The Position

Oncology Nurse Navigators provide resources, support, assessments, referrals, education, care coordination, and guidance throughout the cancer care continuum. They help patients and families navigate healthcare providers, clinics, hospitals, insurance and payment systems, support organizations, and other parts of the healthcare system. The role promotes communication between patients and providers, removes barriers to care, supports timely delivery of quality cancer care, and monitors patients from screening through survivorship. The navigator serves as a primary contact and advocate, coordinating with patients, families, caregivers, providers, multidisciplinary colleagues, and community resources. The position provides education and support, assesses patient needs and understanding, facilitates appropriate referrals and appointments, supports informed treatment decisions, and helps patients address practical, financial, psychosocial, and access barriers. Navigators document interactions and care, participate in tumor boards and other interdisciplinary activities, and contribute to program measurement, quality improvement, and patient satisfaction. The position requires a licensed Registered Professional Nurse in Illinois and a nursing college diploma. Basic Life Support certification through the American Heart Association is required within 30 days. Compensation is listed as $35.07 to $57.07 per hour, with actual compensation dependent on factors including experience, qualifications, location, training, licenses, shifts worked, and compensation model.

Requirements

Licensed Registered Professional Nurse (RN) through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
College diploma in Nursing.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) within 30 days.
Demonstrated or required skills include customer service, leadership, initiative and self-direction, cultural sensitivity and language skills, patient triage, nursing theory and practice, problem solving, and advocacy.

Responsibilities

Provide education and support to patients, caregivers, families, healthcare professionals, multidisciplinary colleagues, and the community about cancer and the role of the oncology nurse navigator.
Serve as the primary contact and advocate for patients and act as a liaison among patients, families, caregivers, and the healthcare team.
Assess patients’ understanding of their disease and treatment options, help them establish treatment goals, and reinforce education about treatment, care plans, symptom management, adherence, and survivorship.
Provide comprehensive documentation of patient encounters, education, diagnostic testing, treatments, and referrals; maintain up-to-date navigation records and databases.
Promote clinical trial awareness, explain trial types and requirements, and engage with the research team as appropriate.
Maintain current oncology knowledge through continuing education, evidence-based practice, and awareness of trends; contribute to professional organizations, presentations, publications, research, and community education as appropriate.
Contact patients at diagnosis, high-stress points, pre- and post-surgery, therapy initiation, and other designated touchpoints; meet with patients by phone or in person according to facility guidelines.
Coordinate timely care across the cancer continuum with the multidisciplinary team, including diagnostic services, treatment, survivorship, hospice, and palliative care.
Coordinate and schedule appointments, facilitate referrals, accompany patients to appointments when needed, and provide visit clarification and literacy-level-appropriate education.
Communicate consistently with providers and healthcare team members, ensure timely delivery of test results by a care team member, and support seamless care and follow-up.
Assist with patient selection and information gathering for Tumor Board; participate in disease-specific tumor conferences and follow up on recommendations.
Provide telephone triage, including symptom management, emotional support, education, and resource referrals.
Monitor patient satisfaction and adherence, address operational and other barriers to cancer services, and help retain diagnostic and treatment services within the system where appropriate.
Assess patient needs using appropriate screening and assessment tools, identify and mitigate barriers to care, and make referrals to appropriate clinical, psychosocial, financial, and community resources.
Maintain and use a comprehensive database of local, regional, and national resources; help patients address insurance, financial hardship, access, and paperwork concerns.
Facilitate individualized care that considers culture, health literacy, ethics, and psychosocial needs; assist with advance directives, palliative care, and end-of-life concerns.
In conjunction with the Department Director, assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care according to the nursing process and standards of accrediting bodies and the Oncology Nursing Society Standards of Practice.
Enter data and prepare reports for the Director; track and monitor program metrics and outcomes and report results to stakeholders.
Participate in tumor boards, interdisciplinary meetings, cancer committee activities, and other meetings; collaborate with internal and external navigators to share best practices and resources.
Assist with navigation program assessment, identify process-improvement opportunities, develop action plans, and implement and monitor quality-improvement initiatives.
Maintain disease-site dashboards at least monthly and identify opportunities to improve patient satisfaction, care, program outcomes, and financial contribution or cost savings.
Document patient non-compliance, evaluate personal practice against job-specific expectations, and perform duties in an organized, time-conscious, efficient, and effective manner.
Develop collaborative relationships, demonstrate customer service and leadership, take initiative, and perform environmental scanning for industry innovations and changes.