Inpatient Nursing Care Coordinator

Overview

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, nursing is a profession of innovation, compassion, and excellence, recognized nationally with Magnet designation for outstanding practice and patient care. As part of our new clinical collaboration, you’ll deliver inpatient oncology care at Mount Auburn Hospital, backed by Dana-Farber’s expertise, resources, and supportive team culture. This is a chance to make a meaningful impact, work alongside top clinicians, and help shape the future of cancer care, including opportunities in our upcoming freestanding adult inpatient cancer hospital.

The Care Coordinator at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute supports and coordinates care for hospitalized patients with complex medical and psychosocial needs. The Care Coordinator helps patients and families navigate the healthcare system and reinforcing care plans established by clinical providers. This role coordinates appointments, referrals, and follow-up activities across primary care, specialty care, and community-based services to promote timely, efficient, and patient-centered care. The Care Coordinator identifies and addresses social determinants of health and other non-medical barriers, connecting patients to appropriate internal and external resources. The position works in close collaboration with an interdisciplinary care team to align services with patient goals and preferences, while maintaining accurate documentation and using data to support panel management and performance improvement. The role requires strong communication, organizational, and advocacy skills to support vulnerable patients in complex care environments. This role is expected to align with and actively support Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s mission, vision, and core values of Impact, Excellence, Compassion & Respect, Discovery, and Inclusion in all aspects of its work.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Shift: 8A -6P

Schedule: 40 hours per week, with rotating weekends

This position is eligible for full-time benefits

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serves as a primary non-clinical point of contact for a panel of high-risk patients, their families, and caregivers, supporting them in navigating the healthcare system and reinforcing care plans established by clinical providers.
• Coordinates appointments, referrals, and follow-up activities across primary care, specialty care, and community-based services to promote timely, efficient, and patient-centered care.
• Identifies social determinants of health and other non-medical barriers (e.g., transportation, housing, food insecurity, financial stress, language barriers) through structured assessments and ongoing contact and connects patients to appropriate internal and external resources.
• Collaborates closely with the interdisciplinary care team (e.g., physicians, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, community health workers) to share relevant information, support care planning, and ensure alignment of services with patient goals and preferences.
• Provides education reinforcement and reminders regarding appointments, medications, self-management strategies, and preventive care, using plain language and culturally responsive communication.
• Advocates for patients and families by elevating concerns, clarifying care plans, and ensuring that patient preferences and values are incorporated into care coordination activities.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation of patient interactions, care plans, outreach attempts, and resource referrals in the electronic health record and other designated systems; uses data and reports to support panel management and performance improvement activities.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of healthcare delivery systems, primary care, and community-based health and social services, with the ability to navigate and coordinate across multiple organizations.
• Proficiency with electronic health records, scheduling platforms, and basic data tracking tools; ability to learn new systems and workflows.
• Understanding of social determinants of health and their impact on patient outcomes, with the ability to identify and address common social and practical barriers to care. Strong patient advocacy skills and a patient-centered approach, with the ability to build trust and rapport with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain information in clear, understandable terms and to communicate effectively with both patients and healthcare professionals.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage a panel of patients, prioritize competing demands, and follow through on tasks and commitments.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team, contribute to shared care plans, and coordinate activities across roles and settings.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information in accordance with institutional policies and regulatory requirements.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

Associate's Degree, Nursing required. Bachelor's Degree, Nursing preferred. 1 year of experience in care coordination, population health, case management, community health work, or a related healthcare or human services role required (internship, practicum, or other transferable experience may be considered). Experience working with individuals with complex medical and social needs and navigating healthcare and community-based service systems. Prior experience in managed care, care management, or hospital-based care coordination preferred.

License/Certification/Registration Required:

Current, unrestricted Massachusetts Registered Nurse (RN) license required. Basic Life Support (BLS) required; Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) preferred depending on work area. Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) preferred. Case Management Certification (CMGT, CCM) preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Patient Contact:

Yes, direct and continuous contact with adult oncology patients and families in an inpatient environment.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.  

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Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

$44.14 - $109.51