An Oncology fellow is a physician in advanced specialty training in cancer care. They have completed medical school and residency and are now focusing on oncology. Oncology fellows work in hospitals and cancer centers, usually as part of a supervised team. You may meet an Oncology fellow in clinics, inpatient units, infusion centers, or consult services.
Nurse practitioner oncology is specialized cancer care delivered by a nurse practitioner (NP) trained to evaluate, treat, and support people with cancer and blood disorders. It combines advanced nursing practice with oncology knowledge across diagnosis, treatment, symptom management, and survivorship. It is commonly used in outpatient cancer centers, infusion clinics, inpatient oncology units, radiation oncology services, and survivorship programs. The focus is coordinated, patient-centered care across the full cancer care pathway.
Physician assistant oncology is cancer care delivered by a physician assistant (PA) as part of an oncology team. It includes evaluation, treatment support, symptom management, and follow-up for people with cancer and blood disorders. It is commonly used in medical oncology, hematology-oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology clinics. Care is provided in collaboration with physicians and the broader cancer-care team.
A Hospice nurse is a licensed nurse who specializes in comfort-focused care for people with serious illness, including advanced cancer. The role centers on symptom relief, emotional support, and coordination of care when the goal is quality of life rather than cure. Hospice nursing is commonly provided in the home, inpatient hospice units, nursing facilities, or hospice residences. Hospice nurse care also supports family and caregivers through education and planning.
A Palliative care physician is a medical doctor who focuses on relieving symptoms and stress caused by serious illness, including cancer. They help patients and families understand options, clarify goals, and coordinate care across oncology and other specialties. This care can be provided alongside chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or clinical trials. Palliative care physician services are commonly used in hospitals, cancer centers, outpatient clinics, and sometimes in home-based or hospice settings.
A Case manager is a healthcare professional who helps coordinate a patient’s care across appointments, services, and settings. In oncology, a Case manager often supports patients from diagnosis through treatment, recovery, and survivorship. The role is common in hospitals, cancer centers, outpatient infusion clinics, and health insurance plans. The focus is organization, communication, and access to appropriate services—not making the cancer diagnosis or prescribing treatment.
A Clinical trials pharmacist is a pharmacist who specializes in managing medications used in research studies, including cancer clinical trials. They work with oncology teams to support safe, consistent handling of investigational drugs and protocol-driven treatment plans. You commonly find this role in academic cancer centers, hospitals, and large outpatient infusion clinics. Their work helps align everyday medication practices with strict trial requirements.
A Data manager is a professional who organizes, validates, and maintains clinical and research data. In cancer care, this work supports accurate diagnosis documentation, treatment tracking, and follow-up. Data manager roles are common in oncology clinics, hospital cancer programs, and clinical trials. The goal is to make complex information usable, reliable, and secure for care and research teams.
A Research nurse is a registered nurse who supports clinical research, often in cancer care. They help connect patients, clinicians, and study teams to run clinical trials safely and consistently. Their work is common in hospitals, cancer centers, and outpatient infusion or radiation clinics. They focus on participant safety, accurate study procedures, and clear communication.
A Clinical research coordinator is a healthcare research professional who helps run clinical studies at a hospital, cancer center, or clinic. They coordinate day-to-day trial activities so a study is done safely, consistently, and according to the protocol (the study’s written plan). They are commonly involved in oncology clinical trials, including drug studies, radiation studies, surgical studies, and supportive-care research. They often serve as a key contact for patients who are considering or participating in a trial.