Patient & Family Navigator

My Childhood Cancer Navigator Program (Full-Time - Coral Gables, FL)

Reports to: Program Director

About SebastianStrong Foundation & My Childhood Cancer Navigator

SebastianStrong Foundation was created in memory of Sebastian Ortiz, a kind, funny, and deeply loved teenager who passed away from rhabdomyosarcoma at age 16. His only treatment options were decades old. Today, we work to change that by funding less toxic, more targeted treatments for childhood cancer and by supporting families navigating the challenges that come with it.

Our My Childhood Cancer Navigator program provides clear, compassionate, and personalized support to families across Florida. A small, dedicated team that includes a nurse navigator, social worker, and patient advocate provides non-clinical guidance across treatment, logistics, emotional well-being, and other areas. Services are delivered remotely and tailored to each family’s needs, whether that means understanding insurance, finding housing support, or simply knowing someone is checking in.

Position Overview

The Navigator provides emotional support, psychosocial guidance, and non-clinical navigation to families facing a pediatric cancer diagnosis. This role focuses on helping caregivers, siblings, and diagnosed children feel seen, supported, and better equipped to cope. You’ll work closely with the nurse navigator and patient advocate to ensure each family receives whole-family care with continuity, follow-through, and compassion.

Although services are delivered remotely by phone, Zoom, and email, this position is best suited to someone based in South Florida who can collaborate in person with the team at our Coral Gables office. We are a small, mission-driven organization that values responsiveness, warmth, and teamwork. Regular check-ins, case discussions, and trainings take place both virtually and in person. Part-time or remote arrangements may be considered for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage an assigned caseload from intake and needs assessment through referrals, follow-up, changing care phases, survivorship, or bereavement.

• Build trusted relationships with families through calm, compassionate, culturally responsive communication.

• Listen for both stated and emerging needs; translate complex situations into clear priorities, next steps, and realistic expectations.

• Research options and help families navigate financial assistance, insurance and benefits, workplace concerns, education supports, housing, transportation, food, caregiving, legal-resource referrals, and other practical needs.

• Make warm referrals, help families understand eligibility and application steps, and follow through to learn whether the connection worked.

• Coordinate with the Resource Coordinator and specialist Navigators when a family needs deeper resource, psychosocial, or clinical-navigation expertise.

• Document contacts, needs, referrals, outcomes, and follow-up plans accurately and promptly in the program’s secure CRM.

• Participate in team case discussions, training, outreach, and continuous improvement of navigation practices.

• Represent the Navigator Program at community events, resource fairs, and partner meetings to build visibility and the referral network.

Who You Are

You’re a natural connector. You remember names, follow up without being asked, and ask one more question to really understand how something works. You’re the kind of person who follows through. You understand how overwhelming and isolating a childhood cancer diagnosis can be, and you’re driven to make things easier for others. You’re organized, compassionate, action-oriented, and able to remain calm and resourceful when situations become complicated or plans change. You can assess what is happening, identify the next practical step, and move forward without becoming overwhelmed or needing constant direction. You believe in meeting families with empathy, not pity, and you know that even in the heaviest moments, there is still room for laughter, connection, and light. You work well independently while valuing the support, perspective, and shared responsibility of a close-knit team.

Required Qualifications

• Relevant professional experience in case management, care coordination, patient or family advocacy, community health, human services, nonprofit direct services, benefits navigation, healthcare support, or a related field.

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Public Health, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of relevant professional experience and demonstrated capability.

• Emotional steadiness and comfort supporting people facing serious illness, grief, uncertainty, and highly sensitive circumstances.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple active cases, prioritize independently, protect confidentiality, maintain boundaries, and know when to seek consultation.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent cross-cultural communication skills and a deep respect for diverse family experiences

• Comfortable working independently and as part of a collaborative team

• Clear and accurate documentation habits

• Patience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish preferred; Haitian Creole a plus

• Experience in a nonprofit, hospital, or volunteer coordination role

• Familiarity with national childhood cancer foundations, support organizations, or peer support networks

• Experience using case management or CRM software to track interactions and outcomes

• Experience with serious illness, caregiving, or bereavement, personally or professionally

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is commensurate with experience and the responsibilities of the role. A full-time benefits package is available and includes:

• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and holidays)

• Health insurance stipend

• Flexible scheduling for appointments and family needs

• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities

• A collaborative, mission-driven team environment rooted in empathy, trust, and respect

If you are interested in joining the SebastianStrong team, please submit a resume and a cover letter describing your interest and why you would be the right fit for this position, including your salary requirements, to jasmine@sebastianstrong.org. Only candidates who submit cover letters with resumes will be considered.