What Is an Oncology Navigator?
As a patient at the Mitchell Cancer Institute, oncology navigators will guide you through treatment and help make your experience with our facility as stress-free as possible. Our team is here to answer questions and help you navigate through many of the challenges that arise during your battle against cancer.
Are there different types of oncology navigators at Mitchell Cancer Institute?
Yes, we offer two types—nurse navigators and lay navigators. Nurse navigators take the lead in assisting our patients in clinical matters such as care coordination, education, treatment plan discussions, medications, survivorship plans and more. They also help patients transition between different providers and may coordinate referrals to dietitians, plastic surgeons and other specialists.
Oncology lay navigators are not trained nurses. They assist with nonclinical issues such as insurance questions, transportation, financial arrangements, social and community services, and other matters affecting the patient's personal life.
Our oncology nurse navigators specialize in:
- Breast cancer
- Gynecological cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Melanoma
- Gastrointestinal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Hematologic cancer