CANCER PATIENT NAVIGATOR

About Whitman-Walker Health

Whitman-Walker envisions a society where all people are seen for who they are, treated with dignity and respect, and afforded equal opportunity to health and wellbeing. Through care, advocacy, research, and education, we empower all people to live healthy, love openly, and achieve equality and inclusion. For over 50 years, we have been meeting the needs of our communities with the endless dedication of our diverse teams.

Job Summary 

The Cancer Patient Navigator serves as the primary point of contact for individuals enrolled in Whitman-Walker’s Cancer Navigation Program. This role provides culturally responsive, trauma-informed navigation services across the cancer care continuum, including screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and supportive care.

The Cancer Patient Navigator works closely with clinical teams, oncology partners, and community-based organizations to reduce barriers to care and improve timely access to cancer services. This role supports patients with insurance navigation, transportation coordination, dependent care connections, appointment scheduling, referrals, and other social determinants of health that may impact treatment engagement. The Navigator ensures services are delivered in alignment with Whitman-Walker’s mission of dignity, inclusion, health equity, and justice.

Core Whitman-Walker Primary Essential Duties

• Performs and behaves in accordance with Whitman-Walker’s mission, cultural norms and core values of dignity, respect, affirmation, and humility.
• Maintain a respectful, non-judgmental, and compassionate manner with patients/clients/staff.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service by identifying and exceeding customer requirements.
• Adhere to Whitman-Walker policies and procedures, with special attention given to HIPAA requirements.
• Maintain data integrity through conscientious use of relevant tools and employing a system of checks and balances.
• Demonstrate organizational skills necessary to multi-task, meet deadlines and re-prioritize as needed.
• Participate in organizational quality and performance improvement activities.

Primary Essential Duties

• Serve as the primary contact for all assigned Cancer Navigation Program participants.

• Conduct comprehensive needs assessments to identify barriers to cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship care.
• Provide patient education regarding cancer prevention, screening guidelines, diagnostic procedures, treatment options, and follow-up care.
• Assist patients with insurance enrollment, benefits navigation, prior authorizations, and financial assistance resources.
• Coordinate referrals, schedule appointments, and facilitate communication between patients and oncology providers.
• Connect patients to transportation services, dependent care/childcare resources, housing support, food access programs, and other supportive services.
• Conduct follow-up outreach to reduce missed appointments and support treatment adherence.
• Document all patient interactions and navigation activities in the electronic health record and required tracking systems.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including medical providers, nurses, behavioral health, social work, and financial navigation staff.
• Support community outreach and education initiatives to increase awareness of cancer screening and early detection services.
• Participate in case conferences and team meetings to ensure coordinated, high-quality care.
• Identify systemic barriers impacting marginalized communities and communicate trends to the Supervisor to inform program improvements.

Budget Responsibilities

N/A

Management Responsibilities

N/A

Knowledge, Skills and Talents Required

• Excellent communication skills, in person, in writing and via telephone to diverse audiences such as patients, clients, other employees and Board members. 

• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, complex work environment with competing priorities. 
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain important executive records an accurate, timely and confidential manner.
• Clear, concise written communication skills with good attention to grammar and punctuation.
• Knowledge of general office terminology, standards, practices and demands.
• Strong word processing, proofreading, and database management skills.
• Sensitivity to all areas of diversity, including HIV status, race, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Strong understanding of oncology care systems and cancer navigation best practices.
• Knowledge of social determinants of health and their impact on cancer outcomes.
• Experience working with communities disproportionately impacted by cancer, including Black women, communities of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, uninsured and under-insured populations.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with patients navigating complex medical diagnoses.
• Strong interpersonal, advocacy, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Experience with data collection and documentation for grant-funded programs.
• Oncology Patient Navigation certification or related credential preferred.
• Bilingual preferred.

Education and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Social Work, Human Services, Nursing, or related field preferred; equivalent lived and professional experience considered.
• Minimum 2–3 years of experience in cancer navigation, oncology services, patient navigation, case management, or chronic disease management required.
• Experience working in community health or nonprofit healthcare settings strongly preferred.

Working Conditions:

Working conditions for this position are normal for an office environment. Individuals may be required to work evenings and / or weekends and organization events.

Physical Demands:

• Lifting: No more than 20 lbs. and infrequently.
• Movement: Standing and sitting for long periods.
• Visual: Long periods on computer.
• Concentration: Extended periods of engagement with computer systems where concentration is key to accuracy in data entry. Intermittent periods of engagement with a telephone system to respond to inquiries where concentration is key to task performance.
• Communication: Direct and indirect communication. Written and verbal competency.

The above job description is designed to indicate a general sense of the duties and expectations of this position. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required. As the nature of our business demands changes, so too may the duties and responsibilities of this position. You may be required to perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.