Job Description

The Radiation Oncology Nurse Navigator is a professional registered nurse with oncology expertise who serves as a consistent point of contact for patients and families throughout the radiation oncology continuum of care. The Nurse Navigator guides patients from referral through consultation, treatment, survivorship, and follow-up by providing education, care coordination, symptom management, and psychosocial support. This role works collaboratively with radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, surgeons, primary care providers, therapists, social workers, and ancillary departments to ensure timely access to high-quality, patient-centered care while reducing barriers to treatment.

Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Graduate of an accredited RN program. BSN preferred.

• Current registration and licensure in the state of Iowa as an RN. Must be in good standing with the Board of Nursing.

• Minimum of two (2) years of oncology nursing experience preferred; experience in radiation oncology, medical oncology, infusion services, surgical oncology, or oncology navigation strongly preferred.

• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Heart Code BLS required. New employees certify within 3 months after hire date.

• Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) certification preferred or obtained within two (2) years of eligibility.

• Oncology Nurse Navigator–Certified Generalist (ONN-CG®) certification preferred or willingness to obtain as eligible.

• Demonstrated knowledge of cancer diagnosis, staging, treatment modalities, radiation therapy principles, symptom management, survivorship care, and supportive oncology services.

• Ability to educate patients and/or families as to the nature of disease and to provide instruction on proper care and treatment.

• Ability to perform comprehensive nursing assessments, patient triage, and ongoing evaluation of physical, psychosocial, financial, and educational needs throughout the cancer continuum.

• Ability to plan, implement and evaluate individual patient care programs. Acts as a liaison among all team members to advocate for patient’s to optimize health and wellness with the overall focus of improving access to service for all patients.

• Ability to educate patients, families, and caregivers regarding radiation therapy, treatment expectations, side effect management, survivorship, and available community resources using evidence-based educational practices.

• Strong clinical judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to independently prioritize patient needs and coordinate timely interventions.

• Acts as a patient advocate and liaison among radiation oncologists, primary care providers, surgeons, medical oncologists, nursing, rehabilitation, social work, financial counseling, nutrition services, and community resources to improve access to care and optimize patient outcomes.

• Knowledge of oncology quality standards, patient safety practices, infection prevention, regulatory requirements, and accreditation standards, including Commission on Cancer (CoC) and ASTRO APEx principles, as applicable.

• Ability to identify barriers to care and coordinate appropriate referrals to supportive services, financial assistance programs, transportation resources, survivorship programs, and palliative care.

• Working knowledge of electronic medical records (EMR), oncology documentation standards, and care coordination workflows.

• Basic knowledge of managed care.

• Ability to read, understand, follow and enforce safety procedures.

• Ability to maintain emotional stability to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stressors.

• Applies insight and understanding concerning human emotional responses to create and maintain positive interpersonal interactions leading to trust and collaboration between patient/family/caregivers and the healthcare team.

• Ability to work autonomously.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work effectively at all levels in a collaborative, customer service oriented, team environment.