Cancer Navigator

NMC is currently recruiting a Cancer Navigator. The position is full-time (80 hours bi-weekly), 8 am - 4:30 pm. Northwestern Medical Center’s mission is to provide exceptional health care to our community. Join our high reliability team! With “people” as one of our core values, valuing our employees is a top priority for Northwestern. We care about our employees, their families, and their overall health & well-being. We are proud to offer a generous benefits package, with recognized national carriers, designed to help our people stay healthy, balance work & life responsibilities, protect your assets & plan for a secure financial future.

Hiring Range: $64,251 - $89,773 

Cancer Navigator

JOB SUMMARY:

The Cancer Navigator provides coordinated, patient-centered support for individuals undergoing diagnosis and survivorship care. The role begins primarily post‑diagnosis, with diagnosis and survivorship care and involvement around biopsy appointments to support education, emotional needs, and next steps. The Navigator facilitates communication among providers, ensures timely progression through the care continuum, assists with referrals and resource coordination, and promotes continuity and quality of care across NMC and partner systems.

PRE-REQUISITES:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in related health field preferred. Equivalent clinical or care-coordination experience considered.

Experience: Prior experience in care coordination, oncology, women’s health, diagnostic imaging, case management, or community health navigation preferred. Experience working directly with patients in emotionally challenging or complex healthcare situations.

Other Skills:

·         Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

·         Ability to explain complex medical processes in understandable terms.

·         Excellent organizational, tracking, and follow-up‑ skills.

·         Ability to build collaborative relationships with multiple departments and external partners.

·         Knowledge of community resources and barriers to care (transportation, insurance, social needs).

·         Comfort discussing sensitive health information with patients and families.

Certifications: Oncology Patient Navigator certification preferred or willingness to obtain.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports To: Population Health Manager

Supervises: None

Other Contacts:

·         Diagnostic Imaging staff

·         Radiologists

·         Primary Care providers

·         General Surgery and specialty clinics

·         Partner medical center care teams

·         Case Management

·         Physical Therapy

·         HIM/DI records transfer teams

·         Community organizations and support programs

SCOPE:

Machinery or Equipment Used: Computer, EMR systems, tracking systems for breast imaging follow-up, phone, email, video conferencing tools.

Physical Demands: Primarily sedentary with periods of walking between departments. Occasional standing during patient interaction or clinic activities.

Working Conditions: Hospital and clinic settings. Frequent communication with patients experiencing distress, uncertainty, or new diagnoses.

Required Protective Equipment: Standard clinical PPE as required in patient care areas.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Diagnostic Navigation (Breast Biopsies & Follow-Up):

·         Provide post‑biopsy support to explain next steps and answer questions.

·         Assist with coordinating referrals for stereotactic biopsies performed at external facilities.

• Collaborate with DI and HIM to ensure timely transfer of imaging and reports.
• Use the tracking system to monitor follow-up recommendations and support provider order completion.
• Outreach to patients to support timely follow-up and answer questions related to diagnostic plans.

Post-Diagnosis Support

• Conduct warm handoffs upon confirmed cancer diagnosis.
• Provide education about diagnosis, system navigation, and next steps.
• Conduct psychosocial distress screening.
• Offer emotional support and connect patients to mental health, financial, transportation, and other resources.
• Coordinate care between PCPs, surgeons, oncology, other medical centers, and other specialists.
• Assist with appointment scheduling and other post-diagnosis needs.
• Maintain tracking of patient follow-up to ensure care continuity.

Community Resource Navigation

• Identify and address barriers to care including transportation, insurance issues, financial strain, and social needs.
• Link patients with grants, community programs, support groups, and other resources.

Advocacy & Communication

• Empower patients to ask questions and make informed decisions.
• Serve as a liaison between patients, families, and multi-disciplinary care teams.

Survivorship

·         Facilitate recommended follow up for high risk or post-diagnosis patients‑ and 6‑month follow-up for high‑risk or post-diagnosis patients.

• Assist with survivorship planning in collaboration with primary care and the Cancer Committee.
• Participate in Cancer Committee’s survivorship initiatives.

Outreach & Program Support

• Promote cancer services and screening awareness in the community.
• Build relationships with UVMMC, NMC departments, DI, and specialty clinics.
• Participate in Tumor Board, Cancer Committee, and Jim Bashaw Fund activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Northwestern Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating and maintaining a workplace that values diversity, inclusion, and belonging. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Northwestern Medical Center is dedicated to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive work environment where all employees have the opportunity to contribute, grow, and succeed. We encourage qualified individuals from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. Applicants requiring accommodation are encouraged to contact Human Resources for assistance.