Oncology Nurse Navigator

As an expert clinician, this role is responsible for the coordination of all services/systems to ensure an organized, multidisciplinary approach to the delivery of care to all adult Hematology/Oncology patients.

Responsibilities

• Assures the delivery of comprehensive cancer services through the coordination of 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 health care 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 outlined plan of care; assists with referrals, problem solving, or overcoming obstacles to enable patients to achieve optimal level of functioning.
• Routinely monitors service schedules. Adjusts appropriately 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 health care needs.
• Coordinates long-term follow-up of patients with their local/referring physicians.
• Maintains a retrievable patient list that includes key information such as, but not limited to name, DOB, patient status, treatment plan status.
• Maintains written/verbal communication with referring institutions and physicians.
• Assists with completion of health care related paperwork (i.e. Leave of absence, FMLA, return to work/school, etc.).
• Applies nursing process to each patient and/or family based on experience, theoretical knowledge, and clinical expertise.
• Provides initial teaching to patients and caregivers, performs ongoing teaching to complex/high-risk patients and caregivers.
• Delegates and coordinates teaching of intermediate or low-risk patients and caregivers as appropriate.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of teaching efforts and modifies education plan as needed.
• Develops service-specific patient/caregiver education materials.
• Coordinates and/or participates in appropriate response to a life-threatening emergency.
• 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 as appropriate to keep patient flowing through service areas.
• Triages incoming patient telephone calls.
• 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 gained through quality improvement activities and clinical nursing research into practices.
• Develops, revises, and follows established standards of care, standards of practice, and 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 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 and Abilities

• Mature, professional individual who is highly organized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented.
• Demonstrates effective problem-solving skills.
• Effective verbal and writing skills.
• 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, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, positioning of patients, standing, walking, carrying of patients, materials, and equipment weighing 40+ lbs.

Working Environment

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

Schedule

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40