Oncology Nurse Navigator (BMG)

About the role

Reports to the Manager or designee. Manages resources through interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve optimal patient outcomes for oncology patients.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates research data, community physicians and Beacon Health System resources into a seamless model of access and care that benefits patients, participating physicians and family members.
• Serves as a hospital and Beacon Medical Group ambassador from the patient's first contact to follow-up post-treatment for coordination of care.
• Provides education regarding services available to oncology patients through and among the different specialty departments of the Cancer Center.
• Develops survivorship care plans for all eligible oncology patients and provides teaching and resources for optimal survivorship care.
• Assists adult oncology patients as they navigate through the healthcare system.
• Conducts initial discussions with newly diagnosed patients (and families) to determine any needs or barriers that may influence their participation in their care.
• Networks with physicians and other healthcare providers to ensure effective implementation of patients' plans of care and the establishment of desired patient outcomes.
• Aids the physician by acting as a liaison between the family and the inter-disciplinary team by educating and assisting with the understanding of the plan of care to patients, families and other members of the healthcare team.
• Supports patients with issues or concerns regarding such things as insurance, transportation, child care, financial resources, language barriers and education; also manages the patient's concerns so they can focus on getting well.
• Initiates referrals within Beacon Medical Group and other community agencies in order to connect patients with the resources needed to eliminate barriers to care such as; pain management, financial counselors, access to transportation, language barriers, child care, complementary services, nutritional referral, etc., with the goal to help the patient by managing concerns so they can focus on getting well.
• Collaborates with community agencies to coordinate referrals as needed.
• Utilizes interdisciplinary care conferences as a mechanism to plan interventions for patients.
• Encourages patient compliance with medical instructions and referrals by educating the patient and family and supporting the physician's treatment recommendations as necessary.
• Reports information regarding variance trends to the manager/director or the appropriate Physician reviewer for review and action.
• Refers information regarding variance trends to the Director or the appropriate Physician Reviewer for review and action.
• Coordinating the gathering and reporting of patient outcome information, which includes following up with patients after procedures.
• Develops and discusses a survivorship plan that outlines treatment received, late and long terms effects of their treatment and short term and longer term follow up guidelines.
• Conducts health screenings and provides educational offerings in the community.
• Maintains an active role in the Oncology Care Committee, reporting all activities to the group and the American College of Surgeons as required.
• Participates In Continuous Quality Improvement By Compiling and analyzing data that is required for generating reports; also ensuring the data accurately represents utilization trends and patterns.
• Prepares summaries and reports for review by the Oncology Care Committee.
• Coordinates The Activities Of The Multidisciplinary Oncology Clinics By Managing the patients under each individual oncology clinic and/or BMG clinic.
• Providing direct nursing care for multidisciplinary clinics.
• Coordinating the scheduling of necessary procedures and follow up required.
• Completes other job-related assignments and special projects as directed.
• Coordinates Survivorship Activities By Utilizing the list of analytic cases from the Cancer Registry to identify which patients are eligible to receive a treatment summary and survivorship care plan.
• Develops survivorship care plans for all eligible patients.
• Delivering and discussing the survivorship care plans with eligible patients and their families.

Qualifications

• A current license to practice as an RN in Indiana and an Oncology Certified Nursing (OCN) certification are required. If not certified, certification is required within two years of hire.
• A minimum of five years of oncology nursing experience is preferred.
• Prior experience in a leadership role (which utilized problem-solving and conflict management processes) in a healthcare setting is required.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of oncology clinical care practices, procedures and techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of the community agencies, services, programs and resources that are available to assist patients and their families.
• Demonstrates the communication skills (which includes verbal, written and listening) necessary to effectively counsel patients and their families.
• Demonstrates the interpersonal skills necessary to promote and maintain cooperative, courteous and sincere relationships with patients, family members, physicians, staff and the public.
• Demonstrates sensitivity and the ability to use tact when working with patients and their families.
• Time management and problem solving skills and the ability to independently prioritize and organize work activities; also requires the ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Computer skills and knowledge necessary to effectively use and support various computer programs.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Education and Experience

• The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion of an accredited nursing program.
• A minimum of five years of oncology nursing experience is preferred.
• Prior experience in a leadership role (which utilized problem-solving and conflict management processes) in a healthcare setting is required.