Access Coordinator (Part Time)

Access Coordinator

The Access Coordinator is a remote, non-clinical, operations-focused role on the Oncology Access Team that supports timely, safe, and well-coordinated patient transfers and admissions to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The Access Coordinator serves as a central point of communication between outside hospitals, accepting providers, and internal inpatient/outpatient teams by collecting required information, routing transfer requests through established processes, sending admission notifications, and maintaining accurate real-time tracking of transfer/admission status, bed availability, and team census. As a member of the Access Team, the Access Coordinator helps assign appropriate bed and clinical team for admissions from all admission sources as needed (ED, clinic, internal transfers). This role also provides administrative support to clinical access staff to help streamline workflows during high-volume periods. This role is critical as Dana-Farber enters a multi-campus model in the Fall of 2026. This is a remote, 24/7 coverage role. Access Coordinators will work scheduled 8 hour shifts every other weekend and may include holiday shift coverage based on team staffing needs and the final coverage model.

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.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Supports inpatient hospital admission workflow: Collaborates with members of the Access Team to assign appropriate beds and teams for oncology patients requiring hospital admission. Identifies specific patient needs (clinical, nursing, reason for admission, etc.) that will influence team and bed assignment. Sends notifications to inpatient/outpatient teams to ensure appropriate handoff and safe transitions for patients. Updates data source for daily admissions and discharges to ensure accurate information available in real time regarding capacity constraints, team census, and bed and team availability for admissions.

Manages incoming hospital transfer requests: Serves as initial point of contact for outside hospitals requesting interfacility transfer for oncology patients. Elicits and synthesizes required information and routes the request to the correct partner transfer center using established guidelines; Communicates with DFCI-accepting provider to confirm transfer and need for tertiary level of care, aiding in prioritization of transfers.

Maintains access tracking tools and reporting: Collects and reconciles inpatient admission and discharge data. Compiles and analyzes weekly metrics/data reports for team review. Produces/maintains a daily bed report for oncology patients admitted across multiple campuses.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Understanding of healthcare operations (hospital admissions, patient transfers, bed management/capacity concepts).

Basic medical terminology and comfort working with clinical information (able to accurately capture details and communicate them clearly).

Knowledge of privacy/confidentiality requirements (e.g., HIPAA) and appropriate handling of sensitive patient information.

Strong verbal communication and professional phone etiquette; able to quickly build rapport with outside hospitals and internal teams.

Clear, concise written communication (email updates, handoffs, status summaries).

Excellent data entry and documentation skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and ability to maintain tracking tools and basic reporting (reconciliations, status updates, weekly summaries).

Ability to learn and navigate multiple tools/systems (e.g., bed board/capacity tools, shared tracking logs, messaging platforms).

Prioritization and task management in a fast-paced, interruption-heavy environment, while maintaining accuracy.

Problem-solving and process-following skills.

Ability to work effectively with a wide range of clinical stakeholders.

Ability to work independently on off-hours with limited on-site support while recognizing when to escalate.

Ability to provide reliable handoffs across shifts and maintain continuity of information.

Ability to adapt to changing priorities, workflow updates, and evolving coverage models.

Ability to meet scheduling requirements for a 24/7 role (shifts may include days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays).

Minimum Job Qualifications

High School Diploma or G.E.D. required. Bachelor's Degree in Health Administration, Nursing, or related field preferred.

2 years' experience in healthcare and/or customer-service or related field required. Experience working in a healthcare setting preferred.

License/Certification/Registration Required

None

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Patient Contact

None

Special Working Conditions

Remote, occasional time on-site. Remote work requirements: Secure, private workspace compliant with HIPAA (no printing PHI). Reliable high-speed internet; ability to use computer, VPN, softphone, and collaboration tools. Comfortable with prolonged screen time, rapid multitasking, and high-volume phone/virtual communication. Must work from within the United States. Residence in MA or an employer-approved state may be required, per HR policy.

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.