Cancer Support Care Patient Navigator

Massey Cancer Center


“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.”

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center is a nationally ranked cancer center located in the heart of Downtown Richmond. All full-time staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life-insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off,12 paid holidays, and more. Explore our benefits further here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and academic-professional-benefits/

Position Primary Purpose and General Responsibilities


Under the Navigation Administrative supervisor of Massey Cancer Center’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, the Cancer Support Care Patient Navigator helps clients and communities overcome social determinants of health (SDOH) and health care barriers to cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment services. The Cancer Support Care Patient 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, cancer prevention, and early detection education. Field, in-person, in-clinic, and telephone-based education for clients is expected. The applicant must use good judgment in performing the assigned duties and responsibilities.

General Responsibilities and Typical Duties of this role are as follows:

• 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 client, patient, and caregiver barriers, perceived or actual for all things related to social determinants of health
• Consult with health care team to eliminate social determinants of health barriers to ensure delivery of timely and high-quality cancer care
• Assist the client with addressing financial hardships for cancer care by connecting them with the appropriate resources
• Maintain regular communication with the patient’s care team as needed through electronic health records, emails, phone calls, etc
• Provide education about cancer clinical trials and when appropriate, assist patients in connecting with the clinical trial care team as needed
• Connect clients/patients to health care appointments
• 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 patient to medical appointments and initiate or reschedule appointments, as necessary
• Monitor the client/patient appointment schedule and track them for compliance with operational standards
• Document all client encounters in appropriate systems and complete reporting requirements according to organizational and confidentiality standards
• Participate as a team member in implementing community outreach and education programming
• Attend and represent the organization at professional conferences, in-service trainings, and meetings at the request and approval of supervisor
• Coordinate local and state cancer prevention and screening programs through community partnerships
• Assist the organization in building the capacity to conduct culturally appropriate cancer education activities which aim to reduce cancer health disparities and build public awareness of cancer prevention strategies, clinical and supportive research/ studies and programs
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Minimum Hiring Standards

• Massey Cancer Center supports a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment. The candidate will demonstrate experience that shows their commitment to fostering such an environment.
• Bachelor’s degree with 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 is required to include evening, weekends, and on occasion, holidays.

Preferred Hiring Standards

• Master's degree in a related field