Registered Nurse Navigator - Thoracic Oncology & Congenital Heart

IU Health; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

IU Health in Downtown Indianapolis is seeking a Registered Nurse Navigator for Thoracic Oncology and Congenital Heart Programs. The role coordinates referrals, diagnostics, and multidisciplinary planning to guide patients from referral through treatment and follow-up, ensuring timely access and high-quality care.

The RN Navigator collaborates with surgeons, cardiologists, oncologists, and other teams; BSN preferred, ASN required, and Indiana RN licensure active.

Qualifications

• ASN required with nursing program completion.
• BSN preferred by organization.
• Active RN license in Indiana or NLC equivalent.
• 3–5 years of nursing experience preferred.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Experience in oncology, cardiology or related fields is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for patients through thoracic oncology and congenital heart care pathways.
• Review and triage referrals to ensure timely access to specialty care.
• Coordinate diagnostics, medical records, imaging, and specialist consultations.
• Facilitate care planning and pre-operative requirements across specialties.
• Provide education and clinical telephone triage; support families.

Skills

Patient navigation

Care coordination

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Education

ASN in Nursing

BSN preferred

Tools

EMR systems

Job description

Registered Nurse Navigator - Thoracic Oncology

Location: Downtown Indianapolis, IN (Onsite)
Schedule: Monday-Friday, Day Shift
Flexible Scheduling Available: 4x10-hour shifts or 5x8-hour shifts

Position Summary

The Registered Nurse Navigator (RN Navigator) - Thoracic Oncology & Congenital Heart Programs serves as the clinical hub for patients navigating complex specialty care pathways within thoracic oncology and congenital heart programs. This role provides expert clinical coordination, patient navigation, case management, referral assessment, diagnostic coordination, and multidisciplinary care planning to ensure seamless progression from referral through diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and long-term follow-up.

The RN Navigator partners closely with thoracic surgeons, congenital heart surgeons, cardiologists, pulmonologists, oncologists, advanced practice providers, and ancillary teams to coordinate comprehensive, patient-centered care. Acting as the primary point of contact, this position guides patients and families through highly specialized treatment pathways while promoting quality outcomes, timely access to care, and an exceptional patient experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for patients navigating thoracic oncology and congenital heart care pathways.
• Review and clinically triage referrals to ensure timely and appropriate access to specialty care.
• Coordinate diagnostic testing, medical records, imaging, specialist consultations, and multidisciplinary evaluations.
• Facilitate care planning, surgical/procedural coordination, and pre-operative requirements across multiple specialties.
• Provide patient and family education, clinical telephone triage, and ongoing support throughout the care continuum.
• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, and ancillary teams to ensure seamless, patient-centered care.
• Advocate for patients by identifying and addressing barriers to treatment, follow-up, and care coordination.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case reviews and maintain accurate, regulatory-compliant documentation within the electronic medical record.

Qualifications:

• Requires an Associates of Nursing (ASN).
• Bachelors of Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Requires an active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Indiana or an active Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) RN license.
• Requires that the RN has graduated from a nationally accredited nursing program. 3-5 years of experience preferred.
• Requires Basic Life Support certification through the AHA.
• Other advanced life support certifications may be required per unit/department specialty according to patient care policies.
• Specialty certifications may be required per unit/department specialty in accordance with the department provision of care.
• Requires knowledge of personal computers using various types of word processing and database software.
• Requires clinical work experience, medical terminology.
• Requires understanding of medical record requirements, regulations and policies.
• Experience in oncology, cardiology, congenital heart disease, cardiothoracic surgery, pulmonology, transplant, care coordination, case management, patient navigation, or a related specialty.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary specialty programs and coordinating care for medically complex patient populations preferred.