Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cancer Prevention and Interception Clinic

University Health Network; Toronto; On-site; CAD 99,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive offer packages

HOOPP pension plan

Transit access

Flexible work environment

Development opportunities

Discounts and perks

Job summary

University Health Network seeks a Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Cancer Prevention and Interception Clinic. The role focuses on cancer risk assessment, early detection, and prevention, integrating clinical care, genetics, population health, and research to reduce cancer burden.

The CNS will develop patient pathways, triage processes, consent and sample handling, collaborating with physicians, genetic counsellors, researchers, and nurses. A strong oncology leadership background is essential.

Qualifications

• Current certificate of registration (RN) with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Master's degree in nursing or equivalent.
• Minimum 4–5 years oncology experience; experience with complex care navigation preferred.
• Advanced practice nursing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead intake, assessment, triage, and patient navigation for Cancer Prevention & Interception Clinic referrals.
• Coordinate consultations, pre-visit preparation, education, and appointments (virtual or in-person).
• Guide patients through research sample collection, blood draws, and study procedures.
• Coordinate and track patient results, EMR documentation, and communication with patients.
• Provide specialized advanced nursing care and manage cancer risk and psychosocial issues.

Skills

RN

Oncology nursing

Leadership

Communication

EMR proficiency

Education

Master's degree in nursing or equivalent

Registered Nurse certification (RN)

Tools

EMR systems

Data systems

Job description

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cancer Prevention and Interception Clinic

• Full-time
• Department: Other (Not Listed)
• Compensation: CAD 99,411 - CAD 124,254 - yearly

UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre.

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is one of the world’s leading comprehensive cancer centers, offering state-of-the-art technology and compassionate, patient-centered care. The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre has 12 site groups and 26 specialty clinics, and almost 3,000 staff who see over 400,000 patient visits every year. Its 800,000 square feet house 130 inpatient beds, 373,000 square feet of research space and 17 radiation treatment machines, making it one of the largest comprehensive cancer treatment facilities in the world and the largest radiation treatment center in Canada.

Union:Non-Union
Number of vacancies:1
New or Replacement Position: Replacement
Site:Princess Margaret Hospital
Department:PM Nursing Leadership,Cancer Prevention and Interception Clinic
Reports to:Director, Professional Practice
Salary:$99,411- $124,254
Hours:37.5 hours per week
Status:Permanent Full Time
Closing Date:November 6, 2026

Position Summary

The Cancer Prevention and Interception Clinic is a multidisciplinary, site-agnostic program focused on cancer risk assessment, early detection, and prevention. By integrating clinical care, genetics, population health, and research, the clinic identifies cancer risk earlier and enables timely, personalized interventions to reduce cancer burden and improve outcomes.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) will assist in the development of patient pathways, including triage, consent, sample acquisition, return-of-results processes, and downstream treatment/interception navigation. This role integrates advanced nursing practice across clinical care, navigation, education, program development, research, and quality improvement. The CNS will collaborate closely with physicians, physician assistants, genetic counsellors, researchers, and other health care professionals. This role is ideal for an experienced oncology nurse leader who can navigate complex workflows, support patients, play an important role in cancer prevention, risk assessment, patient education, and care coordination within a leading academic healthcare environment.

Duties

• Lead intake, assessment, triage, and patient navigation for Cancer Prevention & Interception Clinic referrals, ensuring timely access to appropriate clinical and research pathways
• Serve as the primary patient contact, coordinating consultations, pre-visit preparation, education, and virtual or in-person appointments
• Guide patients through research sample collection, blood draws, and other study-related procedures
• Coordinate and track patient results, ensuring timely clinical review, EMR documentation, and communication with patients
• Support clinical pathways for surveillance, escalation, referrals, and further diagnostic workup
• Coordinate seamless transitions across programs, community partners, diagnostic services, and research teams
• Provide specialized advanced practice nursing care, including management of complex clinical questions related to cancer risk and psychosocial impacts
• Support early detection and escalation, including urgent imaging, laboratory testing, or consultations when indicated
• Act as an expert clinical resource to patients, families, and staff using current evidence, guidelines, and program protocols
• Support implementation of standardized pathways across tumor sites to promote consistency, safety, and efficiency
• Develop patient and staff education materials, SOPs, care maps, and triage tools
• Partner with the clinical team to develop workflows, integration points, and cross-departmental processes
• Participate in steering committees, advisory boards, and program development activities
• Monitor patient flow, reporting turnaround times, result communication, and patient-reported outcomes
• Identify system gaps and lead quality improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and patient experience
• Partner with data coordinators to support accurate, high-quality data capture
• Identify eligible patients and coordinate clinical trial screening, informed consent education, and sample handling
• Participate in research, quality improvement, academic dissemination, conferences, rounds, and knowledge translation activities
• Provide ongoing education and mentorship to nurses, trainees, and interdisciplinary staff on clinic workflows and navigation protocols

• Current certificate of registration (RN) with the College of Nurses of Ontario
• Master's degree in nursing or equivalent
• Minimum 4–5 years oncology experience; experience with complex care navigation is strongly preferred
• Advanced practice nursing experience preferred
• Experience with clinical trials is an asset
• Certification in Oncology Nursing (preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder workflows
• Outstanding communication, counselling, and patient education skills
• Proficiency with digital health tools, EMRs, and data systems
• Eligibility for cross-appointment to an academic institution
• Ability to navigate uncertainty with patients (e.g., positive results)
• Strong organizational and triage skills across high-volume, multi-disease pathways
• Leadership capability to build new models of care
• Excellent judgment, conflict resolution, and patient advocacy
• Comfort with emerging science, AI-enabled workflows, and rapidly evolving clinical evidence

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/ )
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date. UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.At University Health Network (UHN), artificial intelligence technologies may be used to assist in the screening, assessment, and selection of candidates for this position. Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application. UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.