Nurse Director, Oncology Patient Navigation Programs

Join a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as the Nurse Director, Oncology Patient Navigation Programs.  We are seeking a transformational leader to lead successful change and serve as a key stakeholder as the division prepares for the launch of our standalone cancer center. You’ll join a leadership team of dedicated and passionate individuals committed to transformational change and the highest echelon of patient care. UCM is a leader in cancer services, as evidenced by the construction of Chicago’s first freestanding facility dedicated to cancer care and research. Our aim in cancer services is to be a place of hope, healing, and scientific discoveries that meaningfully advance cancer care for patients and our community. We’re looking for someone who can help drive our initiatives forward.  

Reporting to the Associate Chief Nursing Officer & Executive Director - Cancer Nursing, this Director will be a visionary partner in setting strategy and goals for the program. The Nurse Director is responsible for the strategic development, implementation, and operational leadership of oncology patient navigation services across the cancer care continuum. This role provides clinical, operational, and programmatic oversight to design and sustain comprehensive navigation models that improve patient access, care coordination, quality outcomes, and the overall patient experience.

The successful candidate will collaborate with multidisciplinary leadership, physicians, nursing, ambulatory operations, and support services to establish standardized navigation workflows, optimize transitions of care, reduce barriers to treatment, and support timely delivery of oncology services. This role is also responsible for developing program infrastructure, defining performance metrics, ensuring alignment with organizational and accreditation standards, and leading initiatives that support oncology service line growth, health equity, and patient-centered care delivery.  This inaugural role is anticipated to have operational oversight of approximately 15+ direct reports when the new Cancer Pavilion opens in the spring of 2027, along with direct budget responsibility.

Who you are:

 

• BSN required.  Master’s degree in healthcare-related field, such as MSN, MHA, or MBA is also required.
• Current RN licensure or eligible for licensure in the state of Illinois.
• National nursing certification strongly preferred.  Must sit for a national nursing certification within 12 months of eligibility required.
• Oncology nursing experience required, with OCN certification strongly preferred.
• 8+ years of nursing experience to include responsibility managing multiple, large patient care areas simultaneously.
• 3+ years of progressive management responsibility is required, with a substantial amount of that experience from an ambulatory oncology care setting.
• Experience in a Magnet designated organization is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in leading organizational change to positive outcomes.
• Ability to analyze information, present data, and draw conclusions by applying analysis techniques, using data to drive performance.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills. A “hands on” team builder is key to the success of this position.

What you’ll gain as Nurse Director, Oncology Patient Navigation Programs: 

• Opportunity to work at a world-class organization, engaging numerous stakeholders, with the mission of providing a strong vision and sustainable future for cancer services at the University of Chicago Health System.
• Visibility at a NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center managing key internal and external relationships.
• Transform cancer care within an academic medical center and make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families with a relentless pursuit of excellence in cancer care.
• Make your professional mark as we open a new $800+ million state-of-the-art Cancer Pavilion where you can shape the future of cancer care and how people are cared for on a local, regional, and national level.

 

What you’ll do as the Nurse Director, Oncology Patient Navigation Programs:

• Provide leadership, supervision, and mentorship to a team of nurse navigators and support staff to ensure optimal team performance and professional development.
• Conduct regular evaluations of navigation staff performance and provide mentoring, training, and feedback to foster growth and excellence.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the patient navigation program, ensuring that it is comprehensive, patient-centered, and evidence-based.
• Continuously evaluate and refine navigation strategies to reduce care fragmentation, eliminate barriers to access, and ensure the most efficient use of healthcare resources.
• Monitor and assess patient satisfaction with navigation services, making improvements based on feedback and outcomes.
• Analyze data to identify trends and make data-driven decisions to improve care coordination and patient experience.
• Lead initiatives to ensure that the navigation program meets regulatory requirements, quality standards, and accreditation guidelines.
• Champion continuous quality improvement processes that focus on patient outcomes, satisfaction, and operational efficiencies within the navigation program.
• Ensure that navigation services are aligned with best practices in patient safety, clinical care, and healthcare delivery.

E4 Leadership (Equity, Engage, Evolve, Excel) is a patient centered management system that empowers teams to improve on a daily basis. This is done through daily readiness huddles, real time process monitoring, performance review huddles and structured problem solving. E4 Leadership is an evolving system where leaders work together to cultivate a culture of equity and continuous improvement that enables:

 

1. Each person to realize their full potential for contribution
2. The organization to achieve high performance outcomes
3. System-wide integration, coordination, and seamless execution
4. Clear focus on exceptional, equitable patient care and experiences.

As part of the leadership team, this position will be instrumental in reinforcing and sustaining UCM’s E4 Leadership Culture.