Intake Nurse Navigator - Sarcoma-Ortho

MD Anderson Cancer Center • Houston, TX, USA • 22h ago

The Intake Nurse Navigator plays a critical role within Sarcoma-Ortho Access at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, serving as the first clinical point of contact for patients entering the care continuum. The Intake Nurse Navigator supports patients, families, and caregivers from initial referral through the first visit by coordinating care, providing education, and reducing barriers to timely access to specialized oncology services. The Intake Nurse Navigator collaborates closely with Service Line physicians, care teams, and operational partners to ensure a seamless and informed patient experience.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. Through its integrated, multidisciplinary model, UT MD Anderson advances the mission to eliminate cancer by delivering patient-centered care supported by discovery, innovation, and education. The Intake Nurse Navigator directly contributes to this mission by ensuring patients receive coordinated, compassionate, and timely care aligned with institutional standards.

The ideal candidate for the Intake Nurse Navigator demonstrates a strong foundation in nursing practice, experience supporting patients across complex care pathways, and the ability to communicate effectively with interdisciplinary teams. This role is well suited for a licensed nurse who values patient advocacy, care coordination, and education, and who can navigate clinical, operational, and insurance-related processes in a high-acuity academic medical environment.

Additionally, nursing experience with Sarcoma or Orthopedics, proficiency with Epic navigation, or experience as a current Patient Access Coordinator with Sarcoma-Ortho Access is also preferred. Additional consideration will be given to candidates with experience coaching or training in a nursing environment.

Position Information

Salary Range: Minimum $101,000 - Midpoint $126,500 - Maximum $152,000

Hourly Breakdown (40-hour work week): Minimum $48.55 - Midpoint $60.81 - Maximum $73.07

Typical Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8AM - 5PM. This position is expected to work rotating weekends.

Work Location: This is a Hybrid position. Onsite presence is required for training and additional business needs.

Why Us?

The Intake Nurse Navigator at UT MD Anderson plays a vital role in advancing the institution's mission by guiding patients through some of the most critical early stages of their cancer journey. This position offers the opportunity to work within a nationally recognized cancer center, collaborate with expert multidisciplinary teams, and make a meaningful impact on patient access, experience, and outcomes while supporting professional growth and work-life balance.

Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

Responsibilities

Care Coordination & Patient Navigation

Develop relationships with patients from first point of contact through the initial appointment
Assess patient, family and caregiver needs upon initial encounter (earliest point of entry in the continuum at time of referral or scheduled visit) including assessing barriers to care, performing distress screening and making referrals to appropriate disciplines and documenting accordingly
Perform clinical provisional reviews using medical acceptance criteria to support visit scheduling
Coordinate specialty consultations and support service appointments within established service standards, including social workers, dieticians, genetic counselors, therapists, and others.
Apply knowledge of payer requirements and insurance processes to facilitate appropriate referrals
Respond to voicemail and MyChart messages within one business day and answer calls in a timely manner
Perform additional duties as assigned in support of patient navigation services

Patient & Caregiver Education

Provide education related to oncology diagnoses, treatment options, and available support services
Educate patients, families, and caregivers on first appointment preparation and scheduling expectations
Set expectations regarding initial visits and how treatment plans are determined

Interdisciplinary Communication

Communicate patient concerns and follow up on the timely coordination of appointments, tests, and procedures
Collaborate with scheduling teams and clinical care team members to resolve access or coordination issues
Perform outreach across UT MD Anderson to build and maintain relationships with faculty, advanced practice providers, nursing, case management, social services, and other stakeholders

Documentation & Clinical Tools

Utilize Epic flowsheets to develop concise patient summaries for care team use
Document recommendations using standardized care protocols aligned with nationally recognized guidelines
Apply evidence-based navigation tools to assess pain, fatigue, performance status, and related needs

Professional Development & Performance

Participate in performance improvement initiatives to enhance patient and caregiver experience
Complete mandatory training, education, and annual core competency programs
Maintain knowledge of local and national patient and family resources
Adhere to productivity benchmarks, caseload expectations, and documentation standards

EDUCATION

Required: Bachelor's Degree Nursing.
Preferred: Master's Degree Nursing.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required: Five years Professional oncology nursing or oncology nurse navigation experience.
May substitute required degree with an Associate's degree in Nursing and seven years of professional oncology nursing or oncology nurse navigation experience.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required: RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure State of Texas Professional Nursing License (RN). Upon Hire
Required: BLS - Basic Life Support Upon Hire or
Required: CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation Upon Hire
Preferred: OCN - Oncology Nurse Certification National certification in Oncology and specialty practice area. Upon Hire
Preferred: ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification as required by patient care area. Upon Hire
Preferred: PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification as required by patient care area. Upon Hire

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent https://www.utsystem.edu/offices/employee-benefits/ut-retirement-program/voluntary-retirement-programs, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

Additional Information