Oncology Nurse Navigator (Full Time)

About the Role

Provide patient navigation services to guide patients through the healthcare system by assisting with access issues, coordinating with service providers, and tracking interventions and outcomes. Promote patient health in a culturally competent manner.

Responsibilities

• Clinically triage new patient referrals efficiently to ensure timely access to care.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for patients; provide communication, advocacy, and education.
• Assess and facilitate coordination of multidisciplinary care across the care continuum; collaborate with the care team to expedite patient workup, active treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care where applicable.
• Provide clinical education about care plans, diagnosis, medications, treatments, and processes; reinforce clinical information and serve as a conduit between patients and providers.
• Work with hospital staff, medical and social service providers, and community resources to identify high-risk patient populations; develop and track appropriate interventions considering culture, language, age, and gender.
• Follow standards established by medical staff, radiologists, management, and regulatory agencies; document navigation services according to program standards.
• Conduct outreach and education activities within the community, including visiting churches, schools, and libraries; lead classes and lectures to promote patient health.
• Facilitate the development and administration of a Quality Assurance Program for patient care to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Collaborate with case managers to facilitate a cancer support group and provide survivorship planning for qualified patients.
• Organize a cancer prevention and screening event each calendar year in collaboration with other oncology navigators.
• Assist patients through the screening, diagnostic, and treatment process, initiating communication upon learning of suspicious or positive oncology findings.
• Enhance access to and optimize communication about clinical trials with patients and families.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including backup coverage for other clinic positions if qualified.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives and stay current with national best practices and guidelines.
• Attend professional conferences, in-service training, and meetings as requested and approved by a supervisor.

Requirements

• Nursing degree or bachelor’s degree in health promotion.
• Current BLS certification through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
• Chemotherapy certification.
• Current and valid U.S.A. driver’s license (must be 21 years of age or older).
• If RN, current and valid Arizona RN licensure or compact state license.
• Experience in delivering services in nursing, health education, social, or voluntary sector settings with groups and individuals.
• For Oncology Specialty: Must complete 6 hours of cancer-related continuing education every calendar year or maintain a current oncology nursing certification, including but not limited to:
  • Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP)
  • Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS)
  • Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse (AOCN)
  • Blood & Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse (BMTCN)
  • Certified Breast Care Nurse (CBCN)
  • Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)
  • Certified Professional Patient Navigator (CPPN)
  • Oncology Nurse Navigator- Certified Generalist (ONN-CG)
  • Oncology Patient Navigator- Certified Generalist (OPN-CG)
  • Breast Patient Navigator Certification (CPNC)
  • Breast Health Clinical Navigator Certification (BHCN)

Skills

• Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• Work effectively in a team environment with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of community resources, hospital processes, structure, and function.
• Strong team player able to balance multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Weekly travel to outlying communities and some evening and weekend hours required.
• Proficiency in MS Office.
• Ability to assist with the movement of patients over 300 pounds.
• Ability to spend four to five hours a day at a keyboard/computer.
• Ability to travel by car over extended periods.

Special Position Requirements

Exposure Category II: Expected duties have possible, but not routine, potential for exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.