Nurse Navigator- Oncology

The compensation range listed reflects the range Northern Light Health anticipates relying on in setting the wages for the position. The range may not necessarily include all additional compensation elements available, such as differentials, incentive programs and benefits.

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center

Department: Cancer Care - Brewer

Position is located: Lafayette Building

Work Type: Full Time

Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Schedule: 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM

Salary Range : $ 35.92 - $55.13

Exempt: No

Summary

The Oncology Nurse Navigator (ONN) provides specialized assistance for the community, patients, families, and caregivers to assist in overcoming barriers to receiving care and facilitating timely access to clinical services and resources. Navigation processes encompass pre-diagnosis through all phases of the cancer experience. The navigation services implemented will depend on the type, severity, and/or complexity of the identified barriers.

The Oncology Nurse Navigator builds strong relationships oncology patients to help patients stay engaged in medical care and adhere to their medications/treatments. Oncology Nurse Navigators are committed to removing the patient’s barriers to care by identifying critical resources for clients, helping them navigate through health care services and systems, and promoting client health. They work closely with the Care Team to support positive client health outcomes across the care continuum.

Responsibilities

A) Coordination of Care/Care Transitions

• Establishes trusting relationships with and serves as primary point of contact for oncology patients.
• Communicate with Care Team members (Care Coordinators, primary care physicians and other health care providers) to facilitate patient care.
• Embrace a multidisciplinary approach to care.
• Identification/intervention of clinical and service barriers to care.
• Patient care process/cancer care continuum (prevention, screening, risk assessment, diagnosis, clinical trials, treatment, survivorship, end-of-life care).
• Patient/family-centered education (screening, diagnosis, treatment, side effect management, survivorship, end of life).

B) Patient Advocacy / Patient Empowerment / Psychosocial Support Services

• Be culturally competent.
• Assist with patient problem-solving.
• Engagement in decision-making tools.
• Relationship building/trust.
• Assist the patient with care team/communication.
• Counseling: conduit between patient and providers.
• Patient/family center education (assess educational needs).
• Strategies for coping: disease, treatment, distress/anxiety.
• Referrals to psychosocial support and resources.

C) Community Outreach / Prevention

• Establish professional rapport with other medical disciplines (PCP, Surgeons, Specialty practices, etc).
• Participate in community education, prevention, and screening.
• Remain aware of current services offered by service providers, such as mental health, housing, home care, and other community-based resources.

D) Survivorship/End of Life

• Patient care process/cancer care continuum.
• Establish goal setting, life goals with patients.
• Coordinate plans of care.
• Collaborate with Survivorship Navigation to integrate survivor’s goals/preferences into plan of care.
• Engage palliative and hospice care roles in the care continuum.

E) Professional Roles and Responsibilities

• Maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with agency policies.
• Track patient information, schedules, files, and forms in a confidential manner.
• Attend and represent the organization at professional conferences, in-service trainings, and meetings at the request of or with the approval of supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

F) Research & Quality Performance Improvement

• Maintain documentation of all patient encounters and complete reporting requirements according to organization standards.
• Identify evidence-based practice models.
• Identify key quality and performance improvement tools.
• Participate in Quality performance initiatives.
• Meet governing body standards as appropriate (ACOS-CoC, QOPI, Joint Commission, etc.).

Other Information

Competencies and Skills

• Achieves Results: Sets high standards for their own outcomes and seizes opportunities to engage others towards objectives. Consistently moves forward with direct actions in order to attain or exceed objectives. Manages their own time effectively to accomplish assigned tasks. Successfully prioritizes multiple projects and duties as needed.
• Demonstrates Adaptability: Learns quickly when facing a new problem or unfamiliar task; is flexible in their approach with changing priorities and ambiguity. Manages change effectively and does not give up during adversity. Capable of changing one's behavioral style and/or views in order to attain a goal. Absorbs new information readily and puts it into practice effectively.
• Demonstrates Emotional Intelligence: Exhibits a high level of self-awareness, self-management, other awareness and relationship management. Conducts themselves in an empathic, appropriate way, with a sense of humor and stimulates a collaborative work environment. Is respectful of the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others and aware of the influence of their own behavior on them. Is aware of relevant social, political, system, and professional trends and developments and uses this information for the organization's benefit.
• Effectively Communicates: Listens, speaks and writes appropriately, using clear language. Communication methods are fitting to the message(s), audience, and situation and follow-ups are regular and timely. Shows that important (non-) verbal information is absorbed and understood and asks further questions to clarify when necessary. Expresses ideas and views clearly to others and has ability to adjust use of language to the audiences' level.
• Exercises Sound Judgment & Decision Making: Understands and processes complex information, which allows for appropriate and accountable conclusions. Does not react too quickly or slowly. Balances facts, goals, and potential approaches taking the appropriate criteria into account. Makes active decisions and commits oneself by communicating confidently and respectfully.
• Influences and Inspires: Builds enthusiasm and commitment among others to move in a desired direction and models it personally. Creates a compelling vision of success that motivates workplace initiative and energizes others to follow. Provides direction and guidance to encourage cooperation between team members in order to attain an objective. Has the ability to appropriately influence others' actions and decisions with and without express authority.
• Promotes Health and Safety: Promotes a healthy and safe environment for patients, employees and visitors. Advocates and models healthy physical and mental health behaviors even in challenging circumstances. Sets high quality standards and strives for continuous improvement and quality assurance by reporting and encouraging others to report near misses and safety issues.
• Provides Patient-Centered Care: Demonstrates understanding of patient care quality and service as organizational priority. Proactively supports change to improve patient experience and results. Exhibits the ability and willingness to find out what the patient wants and needs and to act accordingly, taking the organizational and outside resources into account. Cooperates, collaborates, communicates, and integrates care within and between teams to ensure that care is continuous and reliable.
• Resolves Conflict: Promptly acts to find alternatives/solutions when team members disagree. Addresses issues in a direct, honest, and appropriate manner. Handles conflicting interests diplomatically and helps to solve them. Transforms difficult situations into teachable moments using respect and accountability .
• Seeks Process Improvement & Applies System Thinking: Possesses and gains insight into situations, problems and processes. Understands the interconnection between organizational elements. Deconstructs problems and systematically investigates the various components. Considers the impact of actions on the entire process/system. Detects problems and opportunities, recognizes important information, and links various data to trace potential causes and relevant details.
• Utilizes Resources Effectively: Understands how to get the most out of available resources and uses cost-benefit thinking in decision-making and in setting priorities. Monitors and analyzes resource usage to identify and eliminate areas of waste and maximize resources. As a leader, defines targets and provides appropriate means; oversees progress and makes adjustments when necessary. Appropriately delegates work, sets clear direction and manages workflow and time.
• Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.
• Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of belonging, empowerment, and cooperation.
• Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.
• Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.

Credentials

• Required Registered Nurse

Education

• Required Bachelor's Degree

Required Experience

• Oncology experience preferred

Working Conditions

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center is a 411- bed, regional tertiary care hospital and an American College of Surgeons-verified Level II Trauma Center. Located in Bangor, Maine, it serves as the principal referral center for a patient population of 500,000 residents across the northern two-thirds of the state. The medical center provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, including advanced surgical care, neurosciences, cardiovascular medicine, oncology, and critical care.

Eastern Maine Medical Center is the base for LifeFlight of Maine, a critical care air medical transport program that conducts nearly 900 missions annually, ensuring timely access to specialized care for rural and remote communities. As a member of Northern Light Health, the medical center is part of an integrated statewide health system comprising nine hospitals, numerous primary and specialty care practices, long-term care facilities, home health and hospice agencies, and emergency ground and air transport services. This integrated model supports coordinated, patient-centered care across the continuum.

Eastern Maine Medical Center plays a central role in advancing clinical quality, operational efficiency, and health equity throughout the region. It is actively engaged in clinical education and serves as a training site for medical students, residents, and fellows through affiliations with academic and professional institutions.

Bangor, Maine offers a stable and supportive environment for healthcare professionals. The region is home to high-performing public and private schools, including the University of Maine’s flagship campus in Orono. Bangor International Airport provides convenient commercial air service with direct and connecting flights to major US hubs. The area also offers access to a wide range of cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities, with outdoor activities available year-round in Maine’s forests, lakes, mountains, and coastal regions.

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center is a strategic hub for clinical excellence, innovation, and community health in northern New England.

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