Patient Navigator
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, MA
Full Time

The Center for Neuro-oncology (CNO) is developing a survivorship program for patients with gliomas, a type of brain cancer. The Patient Navigator works with the clinical staff of the Center for Neuro-Oncology to assist patients and their families by providing appropriate resources and services relevant to their neurologic, psychosocial, cognitive, and behavioral needs. The navigator will report directly to the Clinical Director of the Center for Neuro-Oncology and will also work closely with the Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (POPC). This position offers a hybrid schedule. 

Responsibilities:

Patient Navigator (75%):

• Collaborate with the CNO clinical staff in achieving optimal patient care through identification of and intervention on psychosocial issues by navigating patients and families to appropriate resources.
• As directed, meet/contact glioma new consults and follow-ups at the main campus and document all interactions. Related tasks may include:
  • Meet patients in person or via phone, depending on clinic location, and provide and review program materials and services.
  • Make referrals, as needed, including genetic counseling, fertility consultation, social work/psychiatric counseling, sexual health consultation, physical/occupational or speech therapy, cognitive evaluation and/or rehab, nutrition/complementary therapy, and survivorship programs and services. PN will document all contacts/service referrals in a timely manner in the database (see below).
  • Address calls/emails to the CNO program office. PN I will provide patient navigation and case management services to patients as needed.
  • Support and guide patients with complex psychosocial risk (domestic violence, abuse/neglect concerns, disabilities, adherence difficulties, substance use disorders etc.).
• Create and/or strengthen relationships with internal and external resources including other local providers and resources relevant to cancer survivorship.
• Directly work with patients/families to help identify areas of need and then provide guidance to appropriate resources for aide.
• Form empathic relationships with patients/families who have a range of psychosocial needs and issues.  Demonstrate ability to use self in differential, therapeutic ways to address patient/family concerns, problems, and issues to achieve optimal functioning. 
• Assess patient/family level of understanding of diagnosis and treatment, barriers to learning, and to provide age-specific education and support as needed.
• Serve as liaison and collaborate with range of community and governmental agencies and resources.  Ability to advocate for and facilitate access to resources for patients/families in partnership with other staff (e.g. resource specialists, pharmacy resource specialists, program coordinators, patient navigators, etc.).
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to professional, department, division, and organizational ethical standards. 
• Act as a patient advocate, liaison and point of contact for patient and providers.
• Provide navigation support to include: Assessment of patient’s health related social needs; leveraging internal and external community resources; accompanying a patient and family members to DFCI and/or BWH appointments as necessary; ensuring follow-up on all referrals (internal and external).
• Prepare patients for use of Telehealth services.
• Facilitate scheduling of interpreter services.
• Coach/prepare patients and family prior to visit with care team.
• Track and follows patient interactions via appropriate documentation policies and procedures.
• Work with clinical and research staff to track metric on resolution of care outcome.
• Engage in program evaluation efforts and submits reports as necessary.
• Identify system and/or organizational barriers to care and recommends strategies to improve access.
• Collaborate with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute survivorship programs.
• Collaborate with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute diversity initiatives leadership staff.
• Work closely with appropriate staff throughout the healthcare system to improve patient care outcomes.

Programmatic Activities (25%):

• Create a database of available resources and services within DF/HCC, locally (Greater Boston) and regionally to guide CNO clinical staff to assist with survivorship issues relevant to glioma patients.
• Interact with other Survivorship programs at DFCI to ensure needs of neuro-oncology survivors and their families are comprehensively met.
• Serve as primary program liaison to patients, other mental health clinicians and medical providers within the MGB system and the greater Boston community.
• Develop and implement clinical workshops, conferences, and speaker series in collaboration with CNO/POPC, social work and other stakeholders.
• Develop project plans to address patient care and systems-level gaps, tracks clinical outcomes, assists with potential research initiatives, and actively participates in meetings with CNO program stakeholders with commitment to continuous quality improvement.
• Assist with writing and editing materials for patients and providers and facilitate distribution of materials.
• Participate in publications, abstract submissions, and local and national presentations on program.
• Research best practice models/evidence-based patient navigation program design frameworks.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• May oversee interns and volunteers as needed.

Qualifications:

• BA/BS required; Advanced degree in nursing, social work, public health, or healthcare administration preferred.
• One year of health education or clinical patient experience or clinical research required; Oncology experience preferred.
• Bilingual English / Spanish preferred.
• Certification in patient navigation and/or background as a Community Health Worker preferred.
• Ability to address and advocate for the survivorship needs of diverse populations in the setting of brain cancer; including but not limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, socioeconomic status, abilities, and sexual orientation.
• Ability to innovate, develop, and implement projects, conferences, trainings, educational resources, groups, or other forums that address goals and expectations of the program stakeholders.
• Excellent communication oral and written.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to set priorities, tolerance for ambiguity.
• Analytical skills, computer literacy and keyboarding.
• Passion for cancer survivorship and/or neuro-oncology specifically.
• Demonstrates ability to address quality of life and end of life concerns and issues.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Ability to follow documented policies and protocols for all patient interactions/contacts.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, as well as in groups.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• Ability to apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments and decisions. 
• Demonstrates ability to clarify and reach agreement on short and long-term goals with patients/families around psychological, emotional, physical, social, environmental, and economic/financial issues impacting patient/family adjustment.
• Demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement by seeking ways of improving care, effectiveness and efficiency within the department, the division, and within the organization.

To learn more and to apply, please visit: https://careers.dana-farber.org/patient_navigator

About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute:
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 equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff.  Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse 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 groups as protected by law.