Nurse Navigator (RN) - Ambulatory - Cancer Clinic - FT - Days - Augusta, GA

About the role

At Wellstar, our mission is to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. The Nurse Navigator (NN) is a licensed registered nurse with disease-specific clinical knowledge who offers individualized assistance to patients, families, and caregivers to help overcome barriers to care. Utilizing the nursing process, the nurse navigator provides education and resources to facilitate informed decision making and timely access to quality health and psychosocial care throughout all phases of the cancer continuum. This role interfaces with patients and providers in person, telephonically, and electronically, but is not a bedside position. The primary functions are to promote timely access to care and compliance with the plan of care.

Responsibilities

• Patient Coordinator and Liaison
  • Serves as subject matter expert in the field of navigation.
  • Improves patient care timeliness and access to care.
  • Collaborates with program leaders and administration to evaluate data from community needs assessments and identify areas for improvement in patient navigation processes and programs.
  • Provides relationship-based, patient-centered care that adapts to population-specific characteristics (e.g., age, gender, disease).
  • Participates in growth and development activities with the navigation team and provides leadership in program needs based on navigator expertise.
  • Collaborates with the navigation team for cross-coverage and subject matter expertise to coordinate high-level care for all patients.
• Nursing Process and Care Coordination
  • Performs the nursing process (assessment; diagnosis; identification of outcomes; planning; implementation; evaluation) using evidence-based practice, analytical/critical thinking, and individualized care coordination.
  • Coordinates the delivery and documentation of safe, quality patient care that promotes the professional care delivery model, including interdisciplinary communication, timely documentation, and a respectful, inclusive clinical environment.
  • Demonstrates teamwork and collaboration by practicing in a fiscally responsible manner that supports recruitment and retention of healthcare team members.
  • Participates in performance improvement initiatives, promotes inter/intra-disciplinary processes, and supports shared governance at all levels.
  • Coordinates care as recommended at specialty clinics and multidisciplinary care rounds, identifies gaps in services, and bridges resources.
• Professional Development and Compliance
  • Completes all initial and ongoing professional competency assessments, mandatory education, and population-specific education.
  • Serves as a preceptor and/or mentor for other professional nurses and staff to ensure a qualified workforce and models professional nursing practice.
  • Stays apprised of advances in cancer care and participates in local, state, and national oncology and navigation professional practice opportunities.
  • Upholds healthcare system/organizational policies, procedures, and navigation competencies, including legal, regulatory, and accreditation requirements (e.g., TJC Patient Safety Goals and WellStar Health System safety absolutes).
  • Participates in data collection, poses relevant clinical questions, consults experts, and uses evidence to address practice questions.
  • Supports efficient and effective use of human and material resources and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate Nursing or Diploma (Nurse) or Bachelor’s Nursing (preferred).
• Minimum 3 years of nursing practice required.
• Minimum 2 years of nursing with disease-specific experience preferred.
• Outpatient care or care coordination experience preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.
• BLS - Basic Life Support or ARC-BLS - American Red Cross Basic Life Support or BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor.
• RN - Reg Nurse (Single State) or RN-COMPACT - RN - Multi-state Compact.

Skills

• Ability to function in a fast-paced environment.
• Can respond to emergencies in a decisive, composed, and respectful manner.
• Possesses excellent time management skills.
• Practices nursing using evidence and analytical skills with strong critical thinking abilities.