Cancer Society NZ — Health Navigator

The Cancer Society is a long-standing, respected organisation that has national reach whilst being embedded within the local communities we serve. Across all of our services, we work to improve cancer outcomes for the community… your community.

If you are facing cancer, we can offer you...

Time to listen and to discuss your individual / family whānau situation and support needs with one of our health care professionals. On the ground, face to face in your community. Whilst we cannot provide home help and personal care, we can connect you with local services that can assist you in making an assessment as to your needs.

Practical information

To provide you with evidence-based information on cancers and emotional support that is written in simple plain terms Daffodil House A ‘home away from home’, when receiving treatment in Dunedin. This facility is warm and inviting, especially of value for those receiving radiotherapy or treatment over an extended period of time. If you would prefer alternative accommodation, we can also assist.

Mental and emotional support

Facing a cancer diagnosis can be quite overwhelming for any person. We can either connect you with services for longer-term support or short-term counselling that may help provide you with strategies to cope better during times of change and uncertainty

Support programmes and groups

Providing a way to connect you with others in your community to learn ways to cope or just chat about your experiences in a supportive environment.

Advocacy

If you are struggling to understand medical language, getting to appointments, wanting someone to be with you at appointments, waiting for information or results – then we can help.

Navigating community service providers

Assistance with the Ministry of Health We can connect you with local services that may be able to assist you in other aspects of your life during this time Helping you to know what financial subsidies are available to you with regard to travel and accommodation when travelling for treatment, or if you need assistance to source a head covering or wig, or a breast prosthesis.

The role

As a Health Navigator your role will be to support our clients through their cancer journey – ensuring they’re connected with the services that are right for them, at the right time.

Based from Dunedin, as part of our Supportive Care team, you’ll walk alongside and coordinate the needs of our clients, ensuring they’re connected to the right services and support. This could be anything from matching them to our fabulous volunteers, and connecting them with accommodation providers and other community organisations as appropriate. You’ll work with our Volunteer Team to identify our volunteer needs across your region and assist in the running of our Support Groups.

Another key role will be in ensuring our services are visible on multiple communication platforms that keep our communities up to date about what’s happening at the Cancer Society Otago and Southland.

Every whānau is different, so understanding everyone’s individual needs is key to ensuring we’re providing support that is appropriate.

Your days will be varied - you'll meet a lot of people and make valuable connections with a wide range of community organisations.

Job description (PDF 254 KB)

About you

Ideally, you’ll have experience working in health or in a community-based role. This role works directly with our community, so you’ll have a level of comfort working in this space. Going hand in hand with this is the ability to connect and build relationships with a wide range of people. You’ll be highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and keep multiple balls in the air, as this is a busy and varied role.

You’ll also be computer savvy – knowing your way around a PC, able to use Microsoft Office 365, and have experience working with databases (ideally client/patient management systems).

We’re looking for someone to work up to 32 hours per week. At this stage, we don’t have any particular set days and hours in mind - we’ll work with you around the days and hours that would work best for you, your whānau, and us. We also get that life is busy, so work life balance and flexibility are really important to us – we trust you to manage your own time and balance the needs of you and your whānau.

You’ll be joining a team who are dedicated to supporting the community they live and work in. There’s also staff parking available and you’ll get a birthday day off each year, along with an annual duvet day.