Clinical Nurse Leader

About The Department

BSD OBG - Gyn Onc. The Section of Gynecologic Oncology is part of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The Section has 12 faculty physicians, 7 advanced practice providers (APPs), 11 Oncology Nurse Navigators (ONNs) and clinic nurses, 3 clinical fellows, and support staff. We provide outpatient care at 6 off‑site locations; medical therapy (chemotherapy and targeted agents) as well as phase I‑III clinical trials are offered at 4 of our 6 off‑site locations.

The section of gynecologic oncology is among the largest disease‑site teams within the National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC).

This position requires oncology nurse navigation (ONN) experience and expertise with clinical research. Our research program is one of the largest gynecologic oncology programs in the Midwest, with an average of 18‑22 therapeutic phase I‑III trials open at all times. We need a clinical nurse leader with expertise in micro‑systems problem solving to work closely with our section chief, nurse manager, and departmental leadership to develop pathways and processes that optimize efficient trial initiation, patient enrollment and safe, protocol‑compliant care across all of our clinical sites.

It is expected that this nurse leader will establish close professional relationships with hospital nursing and cancer center leadership, and use content and process knowledge gained in these interactions to subsequently support main campus and off‑site care‑teams with mentorship and coaching in best practices and safe clinical research conduct.

Additional responsibilities include deep knowledge and expertise within a nursing specialty, establishing plans for the safe distribution of medications, and directing primary health care to patients in collaboration with consulting physician and multidisciplinary health teams.

• Provides in‑services on complex Phase I trial protocols (e.g., cell therapy infusions).
• Provides collaborative lead nursing support for ONNs at 4 clinical sites.
• Works with clinical trials program physician leadership and UCCCC Clinical Trials Support Office (CTSO) to increase trial accruals and shape trials program development.
• Supports development of clinical standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Gynecology Oncology ONNs and PAs.
• Coordinates clinical trial protocol in‑service education for IVTH units at 4 sites (DCAM, Orland Park, Silver Cross, Crown Point).
• Leads work to standardize patient‑facing chemotherapy and surgery education; works with program manager to facilitate and disseminate education tools via meetings and a shared information platform.
• Acts as primary liaison to Hematology Oncology nurse educator, Nursing Unit‑Based Council (UBC), and IVTH leadership at 4 infusion sites related to patient safety and workflow.
• Monitors and makes recommendations to RN workload evaluations.
• Maintains very limited direct patient care ONN clinic support.
• Partners in the coordination of new‑hire onboarding/training for Gynecologic Oncology Nurse Navigators.
• Improves education documentation processes and conducts compliance audits (QOPI standards).
• Performs other related work as needed, including capped direct patient care when critical staffing shortages occur.
• Leads comprehensive or episodic health assessments, solves complex problems in patient care and recommends appropriate treatments, develops patient care plans within clinical nursing practice and medical care protocols, and prepares patient health summaries.
• Collaborates with and provides expertise to nurses, patients, families, physicians, and community resources for coordination of patient care, selecting appropriate communication approaches to achieve desired outcomes.
• Requires specialized depth of knowledge and skills for professional development; interprets quality assurance issues on the unit and recommends best practices; provides expertise to staff on or off the unit for clinical skills.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in a related field.

College or…