Job Description

Registered Nurse Navigator - Thoracic Oncology

Location: Downtown Indianapolis, IN (Onsite)

Schedule: Monday-Friday, Day Shift

Flexible Scheduling Available: 4x10-hour shifts or 5x8-hour shifts

Position Summary

The Registered Nurse Navigator (RN Navigator) - Thoracic Oncology & Congenital Heart Programs serves as the clinical hub for patients navigating complex specialty care pathways within thoracic oncology and congenital heart programs. This role provides expert clinical coordination, patient navigation, case management, referral assessment, diagnostic coordination, and multidisciplinary care planning to ensure seamless progression from referral through diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and long-term follow-up.

The RN Navigator partners closely with thoracic surgeons, congenital heart surgeons, cardiologists, pulmonologists, oncologists, advanced practice providers, and ancillary teams to coordinate comprehensive, patient-centered care. Acting as the primary point of contact, this position guides patients and families through highly specialized treatment pathways while promoting quality outcomes, timely access to care, and an exceptional patient experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for patients navigating thoracic oncology and congenital heart care pathways.
• Review and clinically triage referrals to ensure timely and appropriate access to specialty care.
• Coordinate diagnostic testing, medical records, imaging, specialist consultations, and multidisciplinary evaluations.
• Facilitate care planning, surgical/procedural coordination, and pre-operative requirements across multiple specialties.
• Provide patient and family education, clinical telephone triage, and ongoing support throughout the care continuum.
• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, and ancillary teams to ensure seamless, patient-centered care.
• Advocate for patients by identifying and addressing barriers to treatment, follow-up, and care coordination.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case reviews and maintain accurate, regulatory-compliant documentation within the electronic medical record.

Qualifications:

• Requires an Associates of Nursing (ASN).
• Bachelors of Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Requires an active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Indiana or an active Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) RN license.
• Requires that the RN has graduated from a nationally accredited nursing program. 3-5 years of experience preferred.
• Requires Basic Life Support certification through the AHA.
• Other advanced life support certifications may be required per unit/department specialty according to patient care policies.
• Specialty certifications may be required per unit/department specialty in accordance with the department provision of care.
• Requires knowledge of personal computers using various types of word processing and database software.
• Requires clinical work experience, medical terminology.
• Requires understanding of medical record requirements, regulations and policies.
• Experience in oncology, cardiology, congenital heart disease, cardiothoracic surgery, pulmonology, transplant, care coordination, case management, patient navigation, or a related specialty.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary specialty programs and coordinating care for medically complex patient populations preferred.
• Indiana University Health has nearly 40,000 team members, including more than 3,600 physicians and 1,200 advanced practice providers, and we’re home to the largest nursing network in Indiana with more than 9,000 nursing team members at over 800 sites of care.
• IU Health is ranked No. 1 in Indiana by U.S. News & World Report, Riley Children's Health is ranked among the top children's hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
• A unique partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s largest medical schools – gives patients access to groundbreaking research and innovative treatments, and it offers team members access to the latest science and the very best training – advancing healthcare for all.
• With 15 hospitals, including seven with Magnet designation and eight with Pathways to Excellence designation, our team members are leading the way through excellence.
• At Indiana University Health, your personal and professional growth is a top priority. You will have access to many diverse opportunities to learn and develop in meaningful ways that matter most to you, such as advanced clinical training, leadership development, promotion opportunities and cross training development.
• Indiana University Health is invested in the lives of Hoosiers, leading the transformation of healthcare to make Indiana one of the nation’s healthiest states.