17 Oncology Patient Navigator Interview Questions and Answers

Cancer patients have a lot on their minds. They’re worried about their health, their treatment, and their prognosis. An oncology patient navigator helps patients and their families understand and cope with a cancer diagnosis. As an oncology patient navigator, you’ll work with patients to develop a treatment plan and coordinate care. You’ll also provide support and guidance throughout the treatment process.

If you’re interested in becoming an oncology patient navigator, you’ll need to know how to answer oncology patient navigator interview questions. During an interview, you’ll be asked about your experience working with cancer patients, your knowledge of the healthcare system, and your ability to provide emotional support. You’ll also be asked about your ability to handle stress and to stay calm under pressure.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of oncology patient navigator interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the various types of cancer and treatments available?

Oncology patient navigators often need to be familiar with the various types of cancer and treatments available. This question helps employers determine if you have experience in this area. In your answer, share what you know about different cancers and their treatment options. If you don’t have direct experience with oncology, you can talk about other medical conditions that are similar.

Example: “I’ve worked as a patient navigator for several years now. During my time here, I’ve helped patients who have been diagnosed with many different types of cancer. I’m very familiar with the most common types of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer. I also understand the various treatment options available for each type of cancer.”

What are some of the most important things that oncology patients need to know about their treatment?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much you know about oncology and what patients need to know. Use your answer to highlight your knowledge of oncology treatments, including their side effects and other important information that patients should be aware of.

Example: “Patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment need to understand that they may experience some unpleasant side effects from the medication. These side effects include nausea, hair loss, fatigue and more. It’s also important for them to know that these side effects are temporary and will go away once the treatment is over. I always make sure my patients have a list of resources available to them so they can get answers to any questions or concerns they might have.”

How would you help a patient who is feeling overwhelmed by all of the information they have received about their cancer?

Oncology patients often receive a lot of information from their doctors and nurses. An interviewer may ask this question to see how you help your patients process all the information they receive during treatment. In your answer, try to show that you can be patient with your patients as they learn about their diagnosis and treatment plan.

Example: “I would first make sure that I understood what the patient was feeling overwhelmed by. Then, I would take some time to explain each piece of information in an easy-to-understand way. If there were any terms or concepts that the patient didn’t understand, I would use analogies or other methods to help them better comprehend the information.”

What is your process for helping patients find the right doctor for their treatment?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your skills to benefit patients. Use examples from previous experiences to explain how you helped a patient find the right doctor for their treatment and what steps you took to ensure they were comfortable with their choice.

Example: “I first ask the patient about their preferences, including whether they want a male or female doctor, if they have any allergies or other conditions that may affect their treatment and if they would like someone who speaks their native language. Then I search through our database of doctors to find those who match these criteria. If there are no doctors available in our network who meet all of the patient’s needs, I will reach out to other hospitals and medical facilities to see if they have anyone who can work with this patient.”

Provide an example of a time when you helped a patient understand the side effects of their treatment and how to manage them.

Oncology patients often experience side effects from their treatment, and the patient navigator is responsible for helping them understand these side effects and how to manage them. This question allows you to show your ability to help others through a challenging time.

Example: “When I worked as an oncology nurse navigator, one of my patients was experiencing severe nausea after her chemotherapy treatments. She asked me what she could do to reduce the severity of this symptom, so I explained that there are many ways to treat nausea. For example, I told her about anti-nausea medications and alternative therapies like acupuncture or hypnosis. By giving her multiple options, she felt more empowered to find the best solution for her.”

If a patient was concerned about the cost of their treatment, how would you help them?

Oncology treatment can be expensive, and some patients may have concerns about the cost of their care. Employers ask this question to make sure you are able to help patients with financial concerns and ensure they receive the best possible care. In your answer, explain that you would try to find out what the patient’s insurance covers and how much they will need to pay out-of-pocket. You should also reassure them that you can help them apply for any available grants or assistance programs.

Example: “I understand that many people worry about the cost of their cancer treatment. I would first try to find out exactly how much of their treatment is covered by their insurance. If there is a portion not covered, I would do my best to help them apply for any available grants or assistance programs. I know that it can be stressful to think about paying for cancer treatment, so I want to do everything I can to help.”

What would you do if you recommended a treatment for a patient and their doctor disagreed?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and make decisions. It’s important to show that you’re willing to stand up for your patients and their best interests, even if it means disagreeing with a doctor or other authority figure.

Example: “If I disagreed with the patient’s physician, I would first try to discuss my reasoning with them. If they still disagreed, I would encourage the patient to speak with their doctor about their concerns. Ultimately, I would support whatever decision the patient made regarding their treatment.”

How well do you understand the side effects of common cancer treatments?

Oncology patient navigators often work with patients who are experiencing side effects from their cancer treatments. An interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with these types of patients and how well you understand the side effects that they might be experiencing. In your answer, try to describe a situation in which you helped a patient manage their side effects.

Example: “I’ve worked with many patients who experienced side effects from their cancer treatment. I always make sure to thoroughly explain all of the potential side effects before starting any treatment so that my patients know what to expect. If a patient is having trouble managing their side effects, I will help them find ways to cope with the symptoms or refer them to other resources for support.”

Do you have experience helping patients access community resources to support their treatment?

Oncology patients often need help accessing community resources to support their treatment. An employer may ask this question to learn more about your experience helping patients find transportation, housing and financial assistance. In your answer, describe a time you helped a patient access these types of resources. Explain how you researched the best options for them and assisted with the application process.

Example: “In my last role as an oncology navigator, I worked with a patient who needed help finding transportation to her chemotherapy appointments. She had no family members nearby to drive her, so she was looking for public transportation routes that would get her to her appointments. I used my knowledge of the city’s bus system to research different routes and times that would work for her. Then, I called the bus company to see if they could accommodate her wheelchair. They were able to make some adjustments, and she was able to attend all of her appointments.”

When is it appropriate to refer a patient to a mental health professional?

Oncology patients often experience stress and anxiety, which can impact their treatment. Employers ask this question to make sure you know when it’s appropriate to refer a patient to a mental health professional. In your answer, explain that you would only refer a patient if they expressed interest in seeing a mental health professional or if you noticed signs of distress.

Example: “I have worked with many oncology patients who experienced stress and anxiety. I always encourage them to speak with a mental health professional if they are experiencing these feelings. If they don’t want to see a mental health professional, I will try my best to help them manage their stress and anxiety by offering emotional support and resources.”

We want to make sure our patients feel like they have a support system throughout their treatment. How would you build a rapport with a patient’s family members?

Oncology patients often have family members who are involved in their treatment. The interviewer wants to know how you would help the patient’s family feel comfortable and supported during this time. Use examples from your experience of working with a patient’s family members.

Example: “I once worked with a patient whose family was very involved in his care. I always made sure that they were aware of any changes or updates to the patient’s treatment plan. If there was something happening that might be upsetting, I would call them before telling the patient so they could prepare for it. This helped build trust between the family and me.”

Describe your process for tracking a patient’s progress and updating their medical records.

Oncology patient navigators often have to keep track of a lot of information. This question helps the interviewer understand how you manage your workload and stay organized. Use examples from previous experiences to explain how you use technology or other tools to help you complete tasks efficiently.

Example: “I usually start by reviewing my patients’ medical records, including their diagnosis, treatment plan and any notes from doctors about their progress. I then schedule regular appointments with each patient so we can discuss their symptoms and test results together. I also ask them to fill out surveys after every appointment so I can monitor their overall satisfaction with our care.

For tracking purposes, I use an online calendar system that allows me to add reminders for upcoming appointments and survey responses. I find this method helpful because it gives me access to all of my patients’ information in one place. It also makes it easy to update their medical records when necessary.”

What makes you a good fit for this role?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel about the role. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are qualified for this position. Consider including any previous experience working with patients or navigating them through medical processes. You can also include any skills that may be relevant to this job, such as communication or organization skills.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others navigate their healthcare experiences. I have worked in customer service before, so I know how important it is to provide excellent care to customers. I am committed to providing compassionate care to all of my patients. I also understand the importance of being organized and detail-oriented when working with patients. This skill helps me stay on top of my work and ensure that I am always giving my patients the best care possible.”

Which cancer treatments are you most familiar with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with cancer treatments. It can also show them which ones you are most comfortable explaining to patients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list the specific names of treatments and briefly describe what they do.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with chemotherapy drugs, immunotherapy and radiation therapy. I’ve worked in oncology for five years now, so I am familiar with many different treatment options. However, I would like to learn more about new treatments as they become available.”

What do you think is the most important thing that oncology patients should know?

This question can help interviewers understand your knowledge of the field and how you might support patients. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few things that are important for oncology patients to know about their treatment plan or what they can do to feel better during their experience with cancer.

Example: “I think one of the most important things that oncology patients should know is that there are many different types of cancer and each person’s experience will be unique. I’ve worked with several people who have been diagnosed with cancer and some of them were scared because they didn’t know what to expect. It’s important to remember that everyone has different symptoms and experiences, so it’s hard to compare two situations.”

How often do you think patients should come in for checkups?

Oncology patients often have to come in for regular checkups, and the interviewer wants to make sure you understand how important these appointments are. Use your answer to highlight your understanding of oncology treatment plans and the importance of following them closely.

Example: “I think it’s very important that my patients keep their scheduled appointments. These visits allow me to monitor their progress and ensure they’re taking all of their medications as prescribed. I also use this time to educate them about any side effects or changes they should expect from their treatments. In my last role, I had a patient who was missing several appointments, and I helped her get back on track with her treatment plan.”

There is a new treatment for cancer that hasn’t been approved by the FDA yet. A patient wanted to try it, but their doctor wouldn’t recommend it. What would you do?

This question is a great way to see how you would handle an ethical dilemma. It’s important for oncology patient navigators to be able to make decisions that are in the best interest of their patients, even if it means going against what a doctor recommends.

Example: “I would first speak with my patient about why they wanted to try this treatment and what their expectations were. I would then call the doctor and ask them to explain why they wouldn’t recommend this treatment. If I still felt like it was something my patient should pursue, I would encourage them to do so under the supervision of their primary physician.”