Cancer Support Care Patient Navigator - Massey

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

Cancer Support Care Patient Navigator

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Mission

To improve the lives of all Virginians by delivering cutting-edge cancer care through patient-centered prevention and treatment; high-impact, innovative research; community input and engagement; and education and training of the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals.

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veteran’s period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!

The university and the region

VCU is a public research university unlike any other, dedicated to serving the needs of students and patients. Inclusion is our heartbeat and it drives us to tackle difficult challenges others can’t or won’t. We’re home to creativity, teaching, discovery and healing. Our location in the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia, means the nonstop energy of our city ignites our innovation and provides unlimited opportunities for our students.

About Virginia Commonwealth University

We are the university for Virginia. We know that the unique backgrounds and life experiences of the VCU community are what drive the university forward. Together, we’re forging a future that is built by us. Here, artists and engineers, doctors and designers come together to reimagine the human experience and tackle the problems of tomorrow.

VCU dates to 1838 with the formation of the Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College, whose mission was to educate physicians in central Virginia and which was later renamed Medical College of Virginia. In 1968, Richmond Professional Institute merged with the Medical College of Virginia to become what is now known as Virginia Commonwealth University.

Located in downtown Richmond, the state capital of Virginia, VCU enrolls more than 28,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate programs across its urban campuses: the downtown Monroe Park and MCV campuses in Richmond; the Rice Rivers Center in Charles City, Virginia; satellite locations in Fairfax, Virginia, and Abingdon, Virginia; and a campus in Doha, Qatar, for the School of the Arts.

Ignited by the energy of the city, we’re ready to lead industries — or disrupt them. We seek out the unexpected, the experimental, the never-been-tried. VCU is designated as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation, garnering more than $500 million in sponsored research from federal and other agencies in FY2024. The National Science Foundation ranked VCU among the top 50 public research universities in the country, and we are one of only 69 public universities nationwide to be designated by the Carnegie Foundation as “Community Engaged” with “Very High Research Activity.”

This research enterprise, and the influence of having one of the nation’s top-ranked public graduate arts schools, ensures students receive unique educational experiences that equip them with a creative mindset that sets them apart.

VCU’s contributions in talent, innovation and entrepreneurialism, regional stewardship and local culture shape the economic impact and overall quality of life in the region. VCU as a whole generates more than $9 billion in economic activity. It is the largest employer in Richmond with more than 26,000 employees at VCU and VCU Health, and it supports approximately 58,000 jobs in Virginia. In addition, Virginia classifies VCU with a Tier III status — the highest possible status for universities and colleges — allowing VCU more flexibility in managing its operations to implement best practices and streamline processes. To learn about VCU’s finances, visit about.finance.vcu.edu.

VCU’s mission, under the leadership of President Michael Rao, Ph.D., is to serve as one national urban public research institution dedicated to the success and well-being of our students, patients, faculty, staff and community through:

●       Real-world learning that furthers civic engagement, inquiry, discovery and innovation.

●       Research that expands the boundaries of new knowledge and creative expression and promotes translational applications to improve the quality of human life.

●       Interdisciplinary collaborations and community partnerships that advance innovation, enhance cultural and economic vitality, and solve society’s most complex challenges.

●       Health sciences that preserve and restore health for all people, seek the cause and cure of diseases through groundbreaking research and educate those who serve humanity.

Welcome to VCU. A world unlike any other.

Benefits At a Glance

·        Continuing education and professional development for undergraduate and graduate tuition in addition to mandatory fees (except the transition student fee) for a maximum of six credits per semester;

·        28 University Leave Days, 11 State Holidays, and 2 Enhanced Community Service Leave Days;

·        Medical, Dental and Vision Health Benefits to meet the needs of employees and their eligible family members from the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as optional FSA; 

·        Participation in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and other retirement saving options;

·        Parental and Caregiver Leave, Short Term Disability (STD), Disability Insurance, Voluntary Long Term Care Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program;

·        Professional development opportunities encouraged and offered for employees as part of annual career development, e.g. certifications, seminars, courses, annual conferences, mentorship, etc.

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 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 patient 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 assigned

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

About Richmond, Virginia

As the commonwealth’s capital, Richmond, Virginia, offers a vibrant mix of history, diverse culture and real-world opportunities. Distinct neighborhoods, cozy restaurants and cafes and quaint local markets give the city an intimate feel, but theaters, galleries, music festivals, sports attractions and a steady stream of annual events bring RVA — as locals call the region — to life. Established in 1780, its rich history can be seen in the architecture, the Capitol grounds and the cobblestone streets around the city. With the historic James River and 600 acres of parks bordering it, bike trails, wineries, breweries, a flourishing arts, entertainment and restaurant scene (Food and Wine called Richmond a “culinary powerhouse”) and affordable suburbs, this small city punches well above its weight in terms of attractions and buzz. In fact, Travel Leisure named Richmond the best place to live in Virginia in 2023 and Southern Living named Richmond one of the 20 best cities to live in the South in 2024.

Richmond’s location in the middle of the state allows for day or weekend trips to the beach, the Blue Ridge Mountains or Virginia’s many wineries. It’s within a two-hour drive of Washington, D.C., and a multitude of excellent institutions of higher education. The Richmond metropolitan area is also home to several Fortune 500 companies, a broad base of financial companies, hospitals and media firms, high-tech manufacturing companies and state and local government agencies. Entrepreneurs and artists put down roots in Richmond, and Thrillist named it one of the best U.S. cities for creatives in 2022.

Beyond Richmond, CNBC has named Virginia as the No. 1 state in the country to do business six times since the study began in 2007. It has accomplished this by bringing in billions in capital investment and thousands of new jobs; investing in education; expanding access to quality health care for all; making sure everyone has access to opportunity; and more. Business Facilities magazine named Virginia the 2024 State of the Year. Suffice to say, Virginia is full of growth and opportunity, making it the perfect location for a university determined to erase barriers and provide students with robust learning experiences that will make them unstoppable.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

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

This is a restricted role and this role is classified as a grant funded position. The funds for this role will expire in January 2026. 

Massey Cancer Center
Masseyhr@vcu.edu