Cancer Support Care Patient Navigator

Cancer Support Care Patient Navigator

Job Summary

Under the administrative supervision of Massey Cancer Center’s Community Outreach and Engagement Director of Patient Navigation services, the applicant, Support Care Navigator, helps clients and communities overcome social determinants of health (SDOH) and health care barriers to cancer prevention, early detection, screening and treatment services. The Support Care Navigator organizes events, communicates with clients and community partners, schedules education sessions and screening appointments, and ensures clients connect with healthcare and other community and ancillary services. Additional focus areas include, but are not limited to, smoking cessation, and cancer prevention and early detection education. Field, in-person, in-clinic, and telephone-based education for clients is required. The applicant must use good judgment in performing the assigned duties and responsibilities.

Typical Duties

• Responsible for long-range strategic planning.
• Exercise independent judgement for complex issues to ensure objectives are met.
• As a trusted resource, support bi-directional communication between the client, patient, caregivers and health care team in understanding cancer risk reduction, early prevention and screening, cancer diagnosis and treatment options.
• Address the client, patient, and caregiver barriers, perceived or actual for all things social determinants of health related.
• Consult with the health care team to eliminate social determinants of health barriers to ensure delivery of timely and high-quality cancer care.
• Provide education about cancer clinical trials and when appropriate and assist patients in connecting with the clinical trial care team as needed.
• Assist in enrolling patients in research study.
• Connect clients to resources within medical care centers and the community to meet their needs, including, but not limited to, emotional support team, case management, etc.
• Accompany patients to medical appointments and initiate or reschedule appointments, as necessary.
• Document all client encounters in appropriate systems and complete reporting requirements according to organizational and confidentially standards.
• Participate as a team member in implementing community outreach and education programming and events.
• Coordinates local and state cancer prevention and screening programs through community partnerships.
• Perform all other duties as assign.

Minimum Hiring Standards

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Two years of healthcare and/or community non-profit experience, preferably in cancer or patient navigation or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Flexible work schedule and locations are a requirement to include weekends and, on occasion, evenings and holidays.
• Genuinely interested in working on health equity and disparities through service, outreach, education, and research.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with the ability to build relationships with community partners and stakeholders with occasional public speaking.
• Exceptionally organized and an effective communicator, capable of determining how best to reach different audiences and executing communications based on that understanding.
• Adept at creating partnerships and working collaboratively to meet shared objectives and goals.
• A competent decision-maker with shown success at making timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Ability to develop, implement, administrator, and evaluate COE programs.
• Strong initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Organizational and time management skills.
• Ability/temperament to adapt to changing conditions and diverse job tasks.
• Ability to function under fluctuating levels of pressure and stress.
• Demonstrate teamwork and professionalism in working with co-workers, supervisors, and communities.
• Proficient computer skills required.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office products and G-Suite applications (Google Sheets, Google Docs).
• Flexible work schedule and locations are a requirement to include weekends and, on occasion, evenings and holidays.
• Valid driver’s license with reliable transportation.
• Ability to operate cargo-type van (or willingness to learn) for “Massey on the Move” outreach events.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Hiring Standards

• Bilingual, Spanish and English language proficiency.
• Experience in peer/motivational coaching.
• Familiarity with best practices regarding outreach efforts to underserved populations throughout Virginia.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in public health.
• Experience in primary risk behavior management.

Please note VCU is not able to provide ongoing visa sponsorship for this position.