Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator

Major Responsibilities

Coordination and implementation of strategies to ensure quality, efficacy, and cost effectiveness for the oncology patients in multiple settings.

Affirms patient needs.

Orients patient to the hospital and outpatient settings as well as the organization.

The PONN delivers cancer care across the continuum, from diagnosis through treatment. Implements the transition to survivorship, and end-of-life care.

• Uses the nursing process to provide patient and family insight with appropriate education and resources to facilitate informed decision-making and timely access to quality health and psychosocial care throughout all phases of the cancer continuum.
• Critically thinks and clinically assesses patients providing support and education.
• Manages the complexity of the cancer diagnosis.
• Communicates and collaborates with all multidisciplinary team members.
• Reviews distress screening for referrals.
• Communicates and collaborates with the treating physician.
• Communicates and collaborates with the multidisciplinary team.
• Receives and responds to new patient referrals.

Education and Program Development

• Reinforces education regarding diagnosis.
• Connects patient to appropriate and requested resources.
• Develops and reports outcome metrics to drive program development.
• Affirms and implements activities that support the standards related to Children's Oncology Group (COG).
• Strategizes activities that support the community needs assessment of site-specific results.

Professional Role and Associate Engagement

• Provides emotional support for patients.
• Advocates on behalf of the patient.
• Empowers the patient to self-advocate.
• Maintains own knowledge, ability, skills, competencies.
• Continues to role model organizational behaviors of excellence.

Licensure

Nurse, Registered (RN)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Global perspective of changing health care environment.
• Ability to prioritize work.
• Basic computer skills.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills.
• Current Illinois RN license.
• CPR certification.
• OCN Certification or Nurse Navigator Certification obtained within 2 years of hire.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Flexible hours according to customer needs.
• Ability to demonstrate a commitment to patient-focused care.
• Ability to prioritize independently and respond to multiple simultaneous requests.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with established time constraints and in difficult situations.
• May be exposed to hazardous materials and life-threatening diseases.
• Ability to perform lifting/transfer activities related to patients (up to 50 lbs. may be required).
• This position needs to recognize needs and behaviors of specific age groups of patients treated.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance.
• For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available.
• Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.