PROTON CARE NAVIGATOR - Covenant Health

Proton Care Navigator, Proton Therapy Services

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift

Thompson Proton Center offers patients one of the world's most advanced forms of radiation therapy for cancer treatment. As the ONLY proton therapy center in our region, we’re proud to offer the latest technology and treatment methods to patients across East Tennessee and beyond.One of just 40 proton therapy facilities in the U.S., Thompson Proton Center is centrally located off Dowell Springs Blvd. in West Knoxville.

Thompson Oncology Group is part of Covenant Health, the region’s top performing healthcare network. Community-owned and headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health includes nine acute-care hospitals, numerous outpatient and physician clinic locations, and specialty services for behavioral health, oncology, rehabilitation, home care, and community wellness and outreach programs. With more than 10,000 employees and nearly 1,500 affiliated physicians system wide, Covenant Health is recognized regionally and nationally for quality and patient satisfaction, has been named seven times by Forbes as a Best Employer, and is the only health system in East Tennessee on Becker’s list of “150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare” in 2018 and 2019. Visit www.covenanthealth.com to learn more.

Position Summary:

The Proton Care Navigator will focus on coordinating care for patients who have completed treatment and are returning routinely for their follow-up care. This position is responsible for scheduling follow up appointments, coordinating external appointments for imaging and other specialist follow up, and advocating for our post-treatment patients in team meetings and other communications with the clinical team. The navigator supports patients and caregivers by being a point of contact for questions about post-treatment care, including housing options, and by acting as a liaison for patient service programs. The navigator will anticipate the needs of our post-treatment patients to ensure a positive culture is maintained throughout their ongoing care. Critical thinking and communication skills are important in this role.

If you have any questions please contact Recruiter: Sarah Grey || sgrey1@covhlth.com || 865-374-5271        

• Schedules after-treatment follow up appointments and imaging as indicated in the patient’s survivorship follow up plan.
• Serves as a primary resource of information for follow up patients, offering guidance, solutions, and assistance to patients and their families.
• Ensures a smooth and cohesive operation for follow up patients according to our positive culture.
• Effectively and appropriately communicates with referring providers, clinical staff, multidisciplinary colleagues, patients, and other parties.
• Reviews clinic schedules to fill all available appointment slots accurately and in accordance with established clinic-specific guidelines.
• Prepares and provides patient instructions and appointment details orally and in writing as defined by department guidelines. Provides details of the appointment schedule to the patient, including offering patient portal, invitation to chat sessions, and assistance with housing as needed.
• Proactively engages patients to identify opportunities for them to benefit from survivorship events, public tours, and other relevant activities.
• Demonstrates effective and professional communication skills and call handling, including diffusing upset/distressed customers.
• Demonstrates knowledge of medical terminology.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education: 

None specified; will accept any combination of formal education and/or prior work experience sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill, and ability needed to perform the essential tasks of the job, typically such as would be equivalent to a high school diploma or GED. Preference may be given to individuals possessing a Bachelor’s degree in a directly-related field from an accredited college or university.

Minimum Experience:

Two (2) to three (3) years of experience in a medical setting or high volume customer call center.

Licensure Requirement:

None