Nurse navigator

As an expert clinician, this role is responsible for coordinating all services and systems to ensure an organized, multidisciplinary approach to delivering care to adult Hematology/Oncology patients. Provides expert care incorporating principles and theories of nursing and related fields to achieve identified patient outcomes. Assists the Director/Manager in working with staff to ensure the care plan is carried out appropriately and consistently. Acts as a liaison to physicians and other internal/external departments or providers to achieve departmental, program, and institutional goals.

Responsibilities

• Assures the delivery of comprehensive cancer services through coordination and direct or indirect provision of expert patient care for the adult hematology/oncology population.
• Coordinates and monitors all phases of cancer services including prevention/screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, death, and dying for patients and caregivers.
• Acts as a liaison between patients, physicians, and the hospital in transitioning the patient throughout the healthcare system, including inpatient and outpatient environments.
• Collaborates with financial counselors and social services to assure completion of financial assessments.
• Collaborates with managers and agencies regarding the outlined plan of care; assists with referrals, problem-solving, or overcoming obstacles to enable patients to achieve optimal functioning.
• Routinely monitors service schedules and adjusts to maximize effective, efficient patient flow through intradepartmental lab, clinic, or infusion center.
• Attends inpatient/discharge rounds, tumor boards, etc., as appropriate to obtain necessary information for communication with other departments/agencies regarding patient status and healthcare needs.
• Coordinates long-term follow-up of patients with their local/referring physicians.
• Maintains a retrievable patient list that includes key information such as name, date of birth, patient status, and treatment plan status.
• Maintains written/verbal communication with referring institutions and physicians.
• Assists with completion of healthcare-related paperwork (e.g., Leave of Absence, FMLA, return to work/school).
• Applies the nursing process to each patient and/or family based on experience, theoretical knowledge, and clinical expertise.
• Provides initial and ongoing teaching to patients and caregivers, including complex/high-risk cases; delegates and coordinates teaching as appropriate.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of teaching efforts and modifies the education plan as needed.
• Develops service-specific patient/caregiver education materials.
• Coordinates and/or participates in appropriate responses to life-threatening emergencies.
• May provide hands-on patient care in the lab, clinic, or infusion center by performing nursing assessments, chaperoning, assisting with or performing procedures, phlebotomy, IV therapy, and other direct care to maintain patient flow.
• Triages incoming patient telephone calls and performs proactive outgoing telephone triage by routinely contacting high-risk patients and caregivers to check on health status and service needs.
• Demonstrates accountability for nursing practice and identifies own learning needs.
• Assists the Director/Manager and/or multidisciplinary team in quality improvement activities and integrates information from quality improvement and clinical nursing research into practice.
• Develops, revises, and follows established standards of care, standards of practice, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in clinical research activities.
• Provides feedback as requested for evaluating employee performance.
• Assists in the orientation of new employees.

Requirements

• Current Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which services will be provided or current multi-state Registered Nurse license through the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.
• Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) or Blood and Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse (BMTCN) required within three (3) years of hire.
• Three (3) years of nursing experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
• Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) or Blood and Marrow Transplant Nurse Certification (BMTCN).
• Prior experience with hematology/oncology.
• Five (5) years of clinical nursing experience.
• One (1) year of Oncology experience.

Skills

• Highly organized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented.
• Effective problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Ability to communicate well and establish appropriate priorities.
• Excellent clinical skills and ability to relate to patients and families.

Physical Requirements

• Work requires strength and/or stamina, including lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, and positioning of patients.
• Must be able to carry patients, materials, and equipment weighing 40+ lbs.

Working Environment

• Working closely with others.
• Working protracted or irregular hours.
• Exposure to biohazards and infectious diseases.
• Working with or near the deceased.
• Working with hands in water.
• Exposure to electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.

Schedule

Scheduled weekly hours: 40