Breast Oncology Nurse Navigator

About the Role

The Oncology Nurse Navigator (ONN) works with cancer patients and their families to remove barriers to care, provide emotional support, and resolve issues related to the cycle of cancer care. The ONN serves as a liaison and collaborates with the patient, physician, and other healthcare providers to manage the complex needs of cancer patients. As an advocate, the ONN enhances the patient experience, breaking down barriers to ensure timely and compassionate care. The ONN is involved in community outreach and education, serves as a clinical expert, coordinates tumor boards, and provides clinical care for their assigned patient population. Additionally, the ONN tracks navigation metrics and quality indicators for reporting to the Cancer Committee and accreditation purposes, while leading committees and projects.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary resource for cancer patients and their families, helping them navigate the healthcare system and overcome barriers to treatment.
• Provide emotional support, guidance, and education throughout the cancer care continuum.
• Collaborate closely with patients, physicians, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to coordinate comprehensive cancer care.
• Advocate for patients to ensure timely access to services, treatments, and resources.
• Enhance the overall patient experience by addressing concerns and facilitating compassionate, patient-centered care.
• Identify and resolve obstacles that may impact a patient’s treatment plan or outcomes.
• Participate in community outreach, education, and awareness initiatives related to cancer prevention and treatment.
• Function as a clinical expert within an assigned disease-specific area of focus.
• Coordinate and facilitate tumor board activities for the designated cancer specialty.
• Provide direct clinical care and support to the assigned patient population as needed.
• Monitor, collect, and analyze navigation metrics and quality indicators to support program evaluation and improvement.
• Prepare reports for the Cancer Committee and assist with accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Lead and actively contribute to committees, quality improvement initiatives, and organizational projects related to oncology services.
• Promote evidence-based practices and continuous quality improvement in cancer care delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required; Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) preferred.
• Minimum of four (4) years of clinical nursing experience required, preferably in oncology and/or the assigned disease specialty.
• Current New Jersey Registered Nurse (RN) license required.
• Oncology Nursing Certification required or must be obtained within 24 months of employment and maintained throughout employment.
• Knowledge of the healthcare system, cancer care, community resources, and social service resources for cancer patients required.
• Strong leadership, organizational, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills required.
• Ability to work independently in a self-directed environment and effectively lead and collaborate with teams.
• Demonstrated empathy and a service-oriented approach when engaging with patients, families, and community groups.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, tact, and diplomacy in all situations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Bilingual language proficiency preferred.
• Additional years of nursing experience and/or Nurse Navigator experience may be substituted for degree requirements on a year-for-year basis.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Breast Nurse Navigation certification is strongly preferred. Candidates who do not possess certification at the time of hire are encouraged to obtain certification within six (6) months of employment and may be asked to provide documentation demonstrating progress toward certification through a qualifying training program. Examples of qualifying training programs include, but are not limited to:
  • National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC): Certified Navigator Breast Advocate Program (CN-BA)
  • George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Education Program: Oncology Patient Navigator Training
  • Oncology Nursing Society: Equipping the Novice Oncology Nurse Navigator: An ONS Collaboration with AONN+
  • American Cancer Society Leadership in Oncology Navigation (ACS LION™)

Benefits

• Medical & Prescription Drug Coverage
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional Development

Pay

The salary range for this position is $100,903 - $141,288 per year. University Hospital considers multiple factors when determining compensation, including (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s relevant work experience, education and training, key skills, internal equity, market data, and organizational needs.

About Us

University Hospital is one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. As the principal teaching affiliate of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and the only state-certified Level 1 Trauma Center in Northern New Jersey, University Hospital is training the next generation of physicians and advancing science to discovery while taking exceptional care of patients, regardless of their financial situation.