Nurse Navigator

Riceland Healthcare is seeking a compassionate, highly organized, and clinically skilled Oncology Nurse Navigator (RN) to support patients through every phase of the cancer care continuum. The Nurse Navigator serves as a key clinical resource for patients and families by providing education, symptom triage support, coordination of care, and communication across the multidisciplinary oncology team. This role promotes timely access to care, improves patient experience, and supports quality, safety, and treatment adherence.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Navigation & Patient Support

• Provide patient and family education related to cancer diagnoses, treatment plans, medications, side effects, and symptom management.
• Perform clinical triage for treatment-related symptoms and ensure timely escalation to oncology providers as appropriate.
• Support initiation and coordination of oncology treatment plans including medical oncology, radiation oncology, infusion therapy, and supportive services.
• Reinforce provider instructions, plan of care, follow-up needs, and care transitions.
• Promote adherence to treatment schedules and follow-up visits by proactively identifying barriers and coordinating solutions.

Care Coordination

• Coordinate timely referrals and appointments for diagnostic testing, imaging, pathology review, biomarker testing, and specialty consults.
• Assist with care transitions between inpatient/outpatient settings when applicable.
• Collaborate with infusion staff, oncology pharmacy, and providers to ensure safe and efficient treatment delivery.
• Communicate clinical updates and coordination needs to physicians, APPs, nursing, social work, and other interdisciplinary team members.

Documentation & Compliance

• Document all navigation interactions, education, triage actions, and coordination efforts in the EMR.
• Maintain compliance with Riceland policies, clinical guidelines, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Support required clinical documentation for treatment plans, coordination, and follow-up.

Quality Improvement & Program Support

• Participate in oncology quality initiatives, patient experience improvements, and navigation workflow development.
• Track and report navigation metrics as requested (e.g., time to consult, time to treatment, missed appointments, barriers to care).
• Support tumor board processes and multidisciplinary collaboration efforts as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
• Active RN license in the State of Texas (unrestricted).
• Minimum 2 years of nursing experience (oncology experience strongly preferred).
• Strong clinical judgment and ability to triage patient symptoms effectively.
• Excellent communication skills with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
• BLS required (ACLS preferred depending on department requirements).

Preferred Qualifications

• Oncology nursing experience (medical oncology, infusion, radiation oncology, or inpatient oncology).
• OCN certification (or willingness to obtain within a defined timeframe).
• Experience in care coordination, patient education, or case management.
• Familiarity with cancer program navigation, survivorship, and supportive care pathways.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a fast-paced clinical setting.
• Ability to sit/stand for extended periods and work with frequent interruptions.

Ability to communicate professionally and compassionately in sensitive situations