RN Navigator, Neuro Oncology

About the role

Join the UTHealth Houston Neurosciences team as a Full-Time RN Nurse Navigator (Neuro Oncology) and play a vital role in supporting patients and families facing brain and central nervous system tumors. Based in Houston, TX, this position serves as a central clinical resource, guiding patients through every stage of their care journey, from referral and evaluation to treatment, follow-up, and ongoing care coordination. Working closely with physicians, advanced practice providers, nursing staff, and multidisciplinary teams, the RN Nurse Navigator helps ensure seamless access to care, clear communication, and a compassionate patient experience. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced registered nurse who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about coordinating complex care while making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Position Summary

Functions in a clinical role on a collaborative interdisciplinary team providing comprehensive disease management care to patients and families with complex healthcare needs. Aims to provide care that is safe, effective, patient-centered, efficient, and equitable.

Key Accountabilities

• Serves as the primary clinical point of contact for Neuro Oncology patients and families, performing patient assessments and collaborating with providers and staff to develop individualized plans of care that promote quality outcomes and patient satisfaction.
• Coordinates patient navigation and access to care by reviewing referrals, assisting with intake processes, identifying missing clinical information, and facilitating timely appointments, evaluations, testing, and treatment services.
• Manages patients throughout the continuum of care, coordinating transitions between inpatient and outpatient settings, specialty services, community resources, and other healthcare providers as appropriate.
• Collaborates with the multidisciplinary care team, including physicians, advanced practice providers, nursing staff, social work, scheduling teams, and other partners to promote continuity of care, effective communication, and positive patient outcomes.
• Identifies and addresses barriers to care by implementing strategies that improve access, reduce delays, optimize resource utilization, and support efficient delivery of patient-centered services.
• Provides individualized education and support to patients and caregivers regarding diagnoses, treatment plans, procedures, follow-up care, available resources, and care expectations, while evaluating patient understanding and response to educational interventions.
• Assesses patient concerns and clinical needs using nursing judgment and established protocols, provides guidance within scope of practice, and escalates critical results, changes in condition, and clinical concerns to the appropriate provider in a timely manner.
• Acts as a patient and healthcare advocate by fostering a safe, compassionate environment, supporting patients and families through complex care journeys, and promoting high-quality healthcare services.
• Serves as a clinical and leadership resource for team members by providing education, consultation, and support related to care coordination, case management, patient navigation, and Neuro Oncology best practices.
• Participates in program development and quality improvement initiatives focused on enhancing patient access, care coordination, communication, workflow standardization, patient education resources, and overall patient experience.
• Maintains compliance with HIPAA, the Nurse Practice Act, organizational policies, and applicable federal, state, local, regulatory, and accrediting agency standards, while performing other duties as assigned.

Certification & Skills

• Registered Nurse (RN) State Licensure or Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) by Texas Board of Nursing (BON) required

Minimum Education & Experience

• Four (4) years of nursing experience with a BSN from an accredited school of Nursing (preferred).
• Five (5) years of nursing experience with a Nursing Diploma (three-year program).
• Six (6) years of nursing experience with an ADN from an accredited school of Nursing.

Physical Requirements

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Residency Requirement

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.