Oncology Care Assistant - Health Unit Coordinator
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Tacoma, WA, 98405
Job Type : Part Time
Salary : 23.57-32.14 HOUR
Date Posted : 14 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
We’re proud to be among the best cancer programs in the country accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, adhering to the highest standards of cancer patient care and outcomes. We’re one of the largest cancer care providers in the Puget Sound, treating thousands of patients annually.
Thoracic oncology surgeons at St. Joseph Medical Center earned the elite three-star rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for stage 1 lung cancer lobectomy. It is the society’s highest rating and only awarded to the top five percent of thoracic surgery programs in the United States. The three-star designation reflects results significantly better than the national average for 30-day mortality and length of hospital stay after lobectomy for lung cancer for the period January 2012 through December 2016.
This job is responsible for assisting with patient care under the direction of a Registered Nurse; performs data entry, unit secretarial functions, and equipment processing.
Essential Duties:
- Provides patient personal care/hygiene and physical comfort, including feeding, bathing, shaving, changing clothes, bed making, ambulation, lifting, turning, moving, transferring, skin care and bowel/bladder elimination. Provides such additional care as required to meet the personal primary needs and comfort of assigned patient based on skill, ability, limitations of scope of practice and patient acuity. Prepares patient, equipment and supplies for specific procedures/examinations.
- Performs, monitors, reports and documents all clinical activities within scope of practice. Observes and reports changes in patient condition to the RN. Obtains labels and transports a variety of samples (e.g. urine, stool, sputum specimens and blood products). Provides patient information to nursing staff for inclusion in the interdisciplinary plan of care; documents relevant patient data in accordance with work unit standards.
- Assists nursing staff in the admission, discharge and transfer of patient by performing activities such as inventory/storing patient belongings, providing patient with relevant personal care/comfort items, orienting patient/family and transporting patient to room or other location using wheelchairs, stretchers or patient bed.
- Maintains a neat and organized work environment. Orders, stocks and replenishes supplies and equipment as necessary, identifies and reports problems with supplies or equipment; enters equipment repair request in system, tags equipment and removes from service.
- Maintains a safe work and patient environment, adhering to the hospital’s Safety, Risk Management, Regulatory Standards and infection prevention.
- Performs receptionist and support duties at the assigned unit; handles incoming and outgoing communications, transfers calls appropriately, greets and assists visitors, answers questions in accordance with established procedures.
- Provides general support activities for the unit.
Required
- Completion of an accredited Nursing Assistant program, upon hire or
- Military medical specialty training, upon hire and
- Certified Nursing Assistant: WA, upon hire and
- Basic Life Support - CPR, upon hire
Preferred
- Six months related work experience and
- Experience in a hospital setting and
- Experience in a specialty unit. Preference is given toward applicants with experience as both a Certified Nursing Assistant and Unit Coordinator.
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a rich history of providing exceptional healthcare, dating back to 1891. Building upon a legacy of compassionate care and innovation, our organization has evolved over the years through strategic partnerships and integrations to expand our reach and services across the Puget Sound area.
Today, as Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we remain deeply committed to healing the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – in the communities we serve. This commitment is strengthened by the diverse expertise and shared values brought together through our growth.
Our dedicated providers offer a full spectrum of health care services, from routine wellness to complex disease management, all grounded in rigorous research and education. Our comprehensive network of 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites strategically located across the greater Puget Sound region reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and comprehensive care.
We are proud of our pioneering medical advances and numerous awards and accreditations that reflect our dedication to excellence. When you join Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you become part of a team that delivers top-quality, professional healthcare in modern, well-equipped facilities, and contributes to a legacy of service built on collaboration and shared purpose.
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Frequently asked questions
In Tacoma, holding a Washington State CNA certification and CPR/BLS credentials notably enhances prospects for Oncology Care - Health Unit Coordinator positions, aligning with local healthcare standards and employer expectations, especially within hospital oncology units.
The Puget Sound region exhibits strong demand for oncology nursing assistants due to several leading cancer centers, but competition remains moderate, favoring candidates with dual skills in patient care and unit coordination at facilities like Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.
Oncology Care Assistants focus on specialized cancer patient support, including delicate procedures like specimen handling and supporting thoracic oncology teams, requiring familiarity with oncology-specific care protocols beyond general nursing assistant duties.
Health Unit Coordinators in oncology navigate complex scheduling, urgent specimen processing, and multidisciplinary communication, balancing administrative duties with sensitive patient interactions typical of cancer care environments.
Professionals often progress to clinical research coordination, oncology nursing roles, or specialized unit management, leveraging their combined clinical and administrative experience gained in cancer care settings.
Catholic Health Initiatives embeds Oncology Care Assistants as vital patient care liaisons and administrative supporters, ensuring seamless coordination between nursing teams and enhancing patient comfort within its nationally accredited cancer program.
Employment at Catholic Health Initiatives offers Oncology Care Assistants exposure to cutting-edge oncology protocols, collaborative interdisciplinary teams, and a culture emphasizing compassionate, patient-focused care in a well-established health system.
Oncology Care Assistants in Tacoma typically earn between $38,000 and $48,000 annually, reflecting regional healthcare salary norms and the specialized nature of oncology patient support and unit coordination within hospital settings.
While primarily patient-focused, Oncology Care Assistants benefit from understanding oncology clinical research workflows, aiding in specimen transport and data documentation that supports cancer research and clinical trials.
Tacoma's diverse patient base and community-centric healthcare approach shape oncology roles to emphasize cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and comprehensive care coordination to meet varying patient needs effectively.