Oncology Nurse Navigator

Pacific Cancer Care has provided superior care for patients for nearly 50 years. We make every patient our priority. We are a family here at PCC, each member of the team cares deeply, often for a very personal reason, and that means a lot to our patients

Why Join Us? Our team values the work components of every member to create a culture of people helping people and making a difference in our lives and those we serve.

Job Description

ABOUT PACIFIC CANCER CARE:

At Pacific Cancer Care, our mission is to provide the highest quality of Oncology and Hematology services to our patients. We have provided superior care for patients for nearly 50 years, and we make every patient our priority. We are a family and each member of the team cares deeply, often for a very personal reason, and that means a lot to our patients.

Why Join Us? We value the expertise, professionalism, and positivity that each team member brings to create a culture of people helping people and making a difference in our lives and those we serve. If you are excited to contribute to our safe, healthy, harmonious, positive, productive and professional work environment and culture, then we encourage you to participate in our recruitment process for this important role on our team.

Position Details

• LOCATION: Pacific Cancer Care – 5 Harris Court, Building T Monterey, CA 93940
• SCHEDULE: Monday–Friday
• CLASSIFICATION, TYPE: Non-exempt, Full-time
• TALENT INVESTMENT: $76.92 to $97.00 per hour ($160,000 to $201,760 annual equivalency)

BENEFITS Include But Are Not Limited To

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage
• Life, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability insurance coverage
• Paid Personal Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holiday Time Off
• Paid Sick and Bereavement Time Off
• Retirement Savings plan (401k) including Roth option
• Continuing Education and Professional Development

Opportunity Overview

The Oncology Nurse Navigator guides patients and families through every step of their cancer care at Pacific Cancer Care, from the first referral through treatment, survivorship and, when needed, end-of-life care. The Nurse Navigator is the patient's main clinical point of contact, removing barriers to timely care and making sure each patient understands their diagnosis, their treatment plan and what comes next.

Working closely with medical oncology, radiation oncology, infusion, diagnostic imaging, surgeons, hospitals and community partners, the Nurse Navigator manages a panel of approximately 40 to 70 active patients. The role combines clinical assessment and symptom triage with care coordination, patient education and advocacy, and is measured by how quickly and smoothly patients move from diagnosis to treatment and how well supported they feel along the way.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities

This position has no direct reports. The Nurse Navigator may provide clinical guidance, training and workflow support to medical assistants, patient care coordinators, schedulers and other team members.

New Patient Intake and Access to Care

Contact newly referred patients promptly, ideally within one business day of referral, to introduce the navigation program and begin coordinating care.

Confirm that referral records, pathology, imaging and laboratory results are received before the first consultation.

Work with scheduling and authorization teams to secure timely consultation, testing and treatment start dates.

Assess each patient for barriers to care, including transportation, finances, insurance, language, health literacy, caregiver support, housing and food security, and act to resolve them.

Navigation and Care Coordination

Serve as the primary navigator and care coordinator for an assigned panel of oncology patients across all phases of care: diagnosis, consultation, treatment planning, infusion, radiation therapy, surgery, survivorship and supportive care.

Coordinate multidisciplinary care so that treatment milestones are met on time, including handoffs between medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgery, imaging, hospitals and outside specialists.

Track each patient's progress against expected timelines and step in when care is delayed, a test is missing or a patient misses an appointment.

Prepare patient information for and participate in tumor boards and multidisciplinary case conferences as requested.

Identify patients who may be eligible for clinical trials and refer them to providers or research staff.

Coordinate transitions of care, including hospital admissions and discharges, referrals to home health, palliative care and hospice.

Clinical Triage and Symptom Management

Triage patient phone calls, portal messages and symptom concerns using the practice's approved triage protocols, standardized procedures and nursing judgment.

Assess treatment-related side effects and symptoms, give appropriate self-care guidance, and escalate urgent or emergent concerns to physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) right away.

Conduct or follow up on distress screening and connect patients with social work, counseling, nutrition, financial counseling and other supportive services.

Document all assessments, communications and interventions accurately and promptly in the electronic medical record (EMR).

Treatment Planning and Readiness

Support physicians and APPs in coordinating and carrying out treatment plans.

Review orders, referrals and supporting documents for completeness, and confirm that required pathology, imaging, labs, consents and authorizations are in place before treatment begins.

Coordinate treatment start dates and confirm patient readiness, including education completed and questions answered.

Support adherence to evidence-based treatment pathways, including NCCN guidelines, and practice protocols.

Patient and Family Education

Provide individualized education on diagnosis, treatment options, medications, side effects, what to expect at each visit, and when and how to call for help.

Use teach-back and plain language to confirm understanding, adjusting for language, culture and health literacy.

Reinforce physician and APP recommendations and help patients prepare questions for their care team.

Support survivorship planning, including treatment summaries, follow-up schedules and long-term side-effect management.

Communication and Advocacy

• Serve as the liaison among patients, caregivers, physicians, APPs, clinical staff and outside health care organizations.
• Respond to patient questions and requests promptly, and close the loop with patients once issues are resolved.
• Advocate for patients' preferences, goals of care and needs within the care team.
• Connect patients with community resources, financial assistance programs, transportation services and support groups.

Records Management and Documentation

• Review incoming medical records, lab results, imaging, pathology and consultation notes, and route them to the right provider.
• Make sure outside records are incorporated into the chart and treatment plan.
• Maintain complete, timely and compliant documentation that supports quality, accreditation and regulatory standards.

Quality and Program Improvement

Track navigation metrics, including time from referral to first visit, time from diagnosis to treatment, barriers identified and resolved, and patient satisfaction.

Participate in quality improvement projects and recommend process changes that reduce delays and improve the patient experience.

Follow practice policies, California Board of Registered Nursing standards, HIPAA and professional oncology nursing standards.

All team members are expected to contribute to our safe, healthy, harmonious, positive, productive and professional work environment and culture and other duties and responsibilities as needed or assigned.

Desired Certifications, Licenses, and Education

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Current, unrestricted California Registered Nurse (RN) license required.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) preferred, or obtained within two years of hire.
• Oncology Nurse Navigator certification (ONN-CG) or Certified Breast Care Nurse (CBCN®) a plus.
• ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certificate preferred, or obtained within the first year. undefined

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Experience

At least five years of clinical nursing experience required. At least three years of oncology nursing experience preferred.

Experience in oncology navigation, infusion, radiation oncology, medical oncology or case management strongly preferred.

• Experience in an outpatient or physician practice setting preferred.
• Strong clinical assessment and triage skills, with sound independent judgment.

Working knowledge of cancer types, treatment modalities, common side effects and supportive care. Familiarity with NCCN guidelines, oncology quality standards and payer authorization processes.

Exceptional organization and the ability to manage many patients and priorities at once.

Clear, compassionate communication with patients, families and the care team, including during difficult conversations.

Cultural humility and the ability to work with patients from diverse backgrounds; bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred. Strong computer skills and experience with oncology EMR systems.

Commitment to patient privacy, professionalism and service excellence. undefined

Working Environment and Physical Factors

• Fast-paced outpatient oncology practice.
• Frequent contact with patients facing serious illness and emotionally difficult situations, requiring compassion, resilience and professionalism.
• Extended periods of computer and phone work; some walking and standing in clinic areas.
• Occasional travel between practice locations.

Possible exposure to hazardous drugs and bloodborne pathogens; appropriate personal protective equipment is provided.

The physical abilities required of the person in this position may include the f