The Cancer Institute Navigators are specially trained individuals who provide individualized assistance to patients, families, and caregivers to help them overcome healthcare barriers and facilitate timely access to care.
A nurse navigator is a professional, registered nurse that provides:
- Education
- Instruction
- Resolution
- Ease of transition
- Support
- Access to resources
- Treatment planning
- Communication and collaboration among care providers
These services are offered to patients, families, and caregivers to expedite informed decision making and timely access to quality health care throughout all phases of the cancer continuum. The nurse navigator uses oncology-specific knowledge, clinical expertise, and the nursing process to assess the patient’s needs, plan and manage patient care based on the complexity of the cancer diagnosis, and communicate and collaborate with multidisciplinary clinicians to prevent fragmented or delayed care. The nurse navigator proactively anticipates patients’ needs, makes appropriate referrals, and provides evidence based education and support to equip patients with knowledge and understanding to make informed decisions regarding care.
The nurse navigator assists in collecting the necessary information needed for a patient’s first appointment and may need to obtain X-ray films and pathology slides from health care providers other than The University of Tennessee Medical Center. The Nurse Navigator will make every effort to collect this information, but in some situations, patients may be required to authorize the release of this information.
Our navigation services are tumor specific and include:
Breast Care Service
Phone: 865-305-6921
Fax: 865-305-7075
Gastrointestinal/Liver & Pancreas Service
Phone-: 865-305-4487
Fax: 865-305-5453
Gynecologic Oncology
Phone: 865-305-9156
Fax: 865-305-9285
Melanoma and Soft Tissue Tumor Service
Phone: 865-305-6278
Fax: 865-305-6289
Neuro-oncology (Brain & Spine)
Phone: 865-305-3633
Fax: 865-305-4803
Thoracic Service
Phone: 865-305-5385
Fax: 865-305-2374
