Care Team Roles at Kenmore

A team of highly-trained individuals within the hematology and oncology department will be working together to care for you. Depending on your diagnosis and needs, your team of caregivers may include:

Medical Oncologist/Medical Hematologist: Specializes in cancer and/or blood-related disorders and oversees your chemotherapy and other medical treatments as appropriate.

Surgical Oncologist: Specializes in cancer surgery and supervises post-operative care.

Radiation Oncologist: Specializes in the administration of radiation treatment for cancer.

Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant: Work with your doctors to diagnose and treat illness, offer preventative care, prescribe medication and educate you about your illness and treatment.

Pharmacist: In addition to preparing and dispensing medications, monitors your drug therapy and can answer your questions about the medication prescribed by your physician.

Oncology Nurse: Has received advanced training in the care of patients with cancer. At Kenmore, we employ 8 experienced nurses who have received their Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) certification. OCN certification is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification.

Medical Assistant: Prepares patients for examination and take vital signs. They also perform many administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services.

Patient Navigator: Provides support from the point of diagnosis and works in conjunction with the hematologist or oncologist to review and evaluate services that will complement your care plan. The Patient Navigator is a core resource and helps you keep your appointments and follow your treatment regimen, and informs you and your family about community resources and programs that may be beneficial.

Social Worker: Provides a variety of services to help you and your family cope with the stresses associated with undergoing cancer care, including emotional support, short-term individual, family or group counseling, and information regarding community resources. Case managers: Help coordinate your medical care and services in the hospital, at the Atrius Health oncology department or at home.

Genetic Counseling: For those individuals that are candidates for genetic testing, the genetic counselor will provide genetic education and counseling before testing to facilitate informed decision making and adaptation to the risk or condition.  Genetic education and counseling gives an individual time to consider the various medical uncertainties, diagnosis, or medical management based on varied test results, and the risks, benefits, and limitations of genetic testing.

Registered dietitian: The Atrius Health Department of Nutrition works closely with our patients to maintain proper nutrition before, during, and after cancer treatment.

Financial counselor: Verifies insurance benefits for your tests and treatments and is available to answer any questions that you may have.

Ancillary staff: Professionally trained physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and others may be enlisted to care for any special needs.

Pain Care Services: Atrius Health oncologists and hematologists may refer patients who are experiencing acute or chronic pain and are unresponsive to conventional therapy to the Atrius Health Department of Physiatry, Spine & Pain Management.

Palliative Care Services: Atrius Health Palliative Care Services are available to patients with life-limiting illnesses and to their families. The Palliative Care program focuses on symptom management, advance care planning, and psychosocial support. Palliative care is advisable as a complement to oncologic care even early in the disease process.

Hospice: If hospice is needed, Atrius Health case managers will work with hospice organizations in the community to help facilitate end of life care.