Nurse Navigator - Gastrointestinal Cancer (GI)

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Nurse Navigator serves as a central liaison among patients, physicians, families, healthcare teams, hospital and practice leadership, external agencies, and community organizations throughout the oncology care journey. This role supports patients across both inpatient and outpatient settings, with care coordination tailored to the specific needs of each oncology specialty.

CORE ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish trust and continuity of care by serving as the primary liaison for newly diagnosed oncology patients and their families throughout the treatment journey.
• Improves care coordination and patient outcomes by managing services across diagnostics, treatment, hospital transitions, and support resources.
• Ensures provider readiness and care efficiency by preparing patient charts and maintaining accurate, timely EMR documentation.
• Empowers patients and families to make informed decisions by guiding them through complex medical processes including intake, interventions, admissions, and discharge planning.
• Enhances care delivery and responsiveness by acting as a clinical resource and point of contact for staff and administration regarding navigated patients.
• Reduces administrative burden and improves patient access by assisting with paperwork, referrals, and supportive care resources.
• Promotes patient understanding and satisfaction through clear communication of procedures, timelines, and educational outreach to staff and the community.
• Strengthens clinical operations and problem-solving by using critical thinking to address care-related questions and prioritize patient needs.
• Improves navigation quality and relevance by staying current on oncology services, research, and community resources

Requirements

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.
• Minimum of 2 years of clinical nursing experience in oncology required; previous experience in care coordination or patient navigation strongly preferred.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSE OR REGISTRATION

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the applicable state (required)
• Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) – preferred
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification – required

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS OR ABILITIES

• Strong understanding of oncology care pathways, cancer treatments, and disease progression.
• Knowledge of patient advocacy, care coordination, and community resources for oncology patients.
• Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems and documentation best practices.