Massachusetts Jobs

Established in January 2012, the Cancer Care Equity Program (CCEP) aims to place Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) at the forefront of efforts to reduce disparities in cancer outcomes for historically marginalized groups locally and become a national model for translating cancer equity research into interventions. The CCEP hopes to reduce gaps in timely cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment for patients most at-risk to loss of connection to care.

The CCEP is seeking a Clinical Trials Educator to work with our Clinical Trials Nursing Office to directly engage with patients in the Merrimack Valley regarding clinical trials. This Educator will interface with newly diagnosed or recently relapsed cancer patients. The role of the Clinical Trials Educator is to proactively engage with historically marginalized adult patients from the Merrimack Valley region to address barriers to timely cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment and help navigate health care system complexities and logistics throughout the care continuum. The Clinical Trials Educator will provide foundational knowledge about clinical trial participation to prepare patients to discuss treatment planning with their care teams. The Clinical Trials Educator is being piloted in the Merrimack Valley regional campus with some potential for occasional engagement with and attendance at local community-based events at the conclusion of the pilot.

This position’s work location is hybrid with two or three days per week remote. The selected candidate may only work remote days from a New England state (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI).

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

• Coach and prepare patients for their appointments and conversations with health-care providers

• Providing basic patient education on general concepts of clinical trials participation and identifying members of the care team

• Disseminating resources and addressing logistical concerns in either group or individual sessions, via hybrid virtual and/or phone-based patient contact

• Collaborate closely with clinical care teams to coordinate care and services to address barriers

• Facilitate scheduling of Interpreter Services for patient communication when applicable

• Participate in ongoing patient navigation process development and improvement initiatives

• Document volume and frequency of appointments for demographic reporting

• Complete patient navigation competency trainings and professional development opportunities

• Review new consults on a weekly basis to assess patients’ readiness to discuss clinical trials

• Bilingual, Spanish fluency required

• Familiarity with the Lawrence, Massachusetts area

• High School Diploma/GED required; Bachelor’s degree in health or human services preferred

• 1-3 years of professional experience in health care or community outreach organizations

• 1-3 years of patient-facing experience, 1 year clinical trial experience preferred

• Experience working in hospital electronic medical record systems is a plus

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Commitment to cultural humility, cultural safety, and social justice

• Strong customer service and patient and family-centered orientation

• Ability to work with adults of varying ages, learning styles, literacy levels, and backgrounds

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Detailed record keeping and organization of work

• Proactive approach to addressing patient issues

• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary care teams and supportive services

• Capacity to develop strategies to resolve complex patient issues

• Knowledge of local health care systems and community resources

• Ability to work independently as well as in groups

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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