RN Navigator - Radiation Oncology - Full Time - Days

Why work for Nebraska Methodist Health System? At Nebraska Methodist Health System, we focus on providing exceptional care to the communities we serve and people we employ. We call it The Meaning of Care – a culture that has and will continue to set us apart. It’s helping families grow by making each delivery special, conveying a difficult diagnosis with a compassionate touch, going above and beyond for a patient’s needs, or giving a high five when a patient beats a disease or conquers a personal health challenge. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a great work environment where all employees are valued! Most importantly, our employees are part of a team that makes a real difference in the communities we live and work in.

Location: Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital, 933 E Pierce St, Council Bluffs, IA

About the role

Accountable for the delivery of quality care to patients and families according to the individualized needs of the patient. The Nurse Navigator is a professional whose clinical expertise guides patients, families and their caregivers toward informed decision-making. The Nurse Navigator collaborates with a multi-disciplinary team to allow for timely cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment and increased supportive care across the cancer continuum.

Responsibilities

• Provide appropriate care specific to the age of the customer/patient, to ensure understanding and comfort level of treatment as outlined in the Population Specific Criteria.
• Demonstrate ability to identify opportunities for and give individualized customer service/patient care according to customer/patient needs.
• Perform initial and ongoing assessment to determine the patient's needs, including data from the patient/significant other(s) in the assessment as appropriate. Prioritize data collection according to patient's immediate needs.
• Develop, review, revise, and individualize the plan of care to address the patient's nursing care needs for optimum patient care outcomes. Collaborate with providers and other clinical disciplines as appropriate. Provide teaching specific to the patient. Ensure care plan reflects continuing care needs and/or referrals.
• Implement interventions consistent with the established plan of care in a safe and appropriate manner. Follow nursing protocols and standards of care. Use current knowledge in nursing practice based on standards and research literature.
• Perform technical skills competently and independently to assure patient safety. Demonstrate correct and safe technique in the use of equipment according to specific product information and policy and procedure manuals. Follow appropriate procedure for obtaining and returning or cleaning/disposing of equipment and supplies.
• Maintain a professional behavior in attitude, demeanor, and interactions to achieve the organization's mission. Communicate effectively to solve problems at the personal and unit level. Maintain competence in area of experience. Participate in meetings and/or committees as needed.
• Initiate action to correct, prevent, and/or minimize risk(s) to the patient, family, or staff/employees. Complete appropriate report forms for risks (e.g., variance/incident report, patient concern report, maintenance request). Communicate unresolved issues to appropriate personnel. Work within the scope of practice as defined by Nurse Practice Act.
• Act fiscally accountable by charging accurately for use of supplies and equipment according to policy.
• Provide on-site coordination of the weekly clinic by efficiently organizing schedule to fit physician and patient needs, gathering patient information, and recording follow-up recommendations:
  • Prepare weekly schedule for patients and physicians.
  • Coordinate/collaborate with ancillary departments weekly.
  • Update EMR and collect outside patient records prior to appointment to promote efficiency.
  • Schedule appropriate ancillary testing based on patient diagnosis prior to appointment.
  • Schedule surgical procedures with Access and MD offices.
  • Order outside radiology exams and pathology slides.
• Communicate with patient, families, and referring physicians regarding treatment plan and follow-up:
  • Provide timely communication with patients and families regarding treatment plan.
  • Evaluate patients' capabilities and/or limitations related to treatment plan.
  • Schedule appropriate referrals to specialty physicians as needed for treatment plan.
  • Administer psychosocial distress screening tool to all new patients.
  • Refer patients to appropriate supportive services within the cancer center, community, and outside of cancer centers as needed.
  • Provide preoperative education to patients and family using individualized strategies.
• Guide patients, families, and their caregivers to informed decision-making by collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to support optimal patient care across the continuum:
  • Facilitate planning and provide education to patients and families about their individual diagnosis and treatment options.
  • Provide ACS personal health care manager packet to patient and provide education on their cancer diagnosis.
  • Enroll patients in Expectation Management and Medical Information (EMMI) program.
  • Plan and coordinate referrals to Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology when appropriate.
  • Support and navigate each patient through treatment by reinforcing education and coordinating information and care with a team of physicians and allied healthcare professionals.
  • Participate in cancer treatment planning conferences with physicians, nurses, and allied health care professionals to discuss and determine the best treatment plan for each newly diagnosed patient with cancer.
  • Accurately record treatment plans discussed at conferences and communicate information with appropriate providers.
  • Provide appropriate follow-up with patients regarding their treatment plan.
  • Refer patients to appropriate cancer support programs and resources within the cancer center and community.
  • Teach patients and families about cancer prevention, screening guidelines, diagnosis, treatment options, clinical research trials, and the importance of early detection.
  • Facilitate education and participation in clinical research trials as appropriate.
  • Assist with the development of an ongoing survivorship plan, ensuring it is documented in the Electronic Medical Record.
• Promote a Culture Of Safety:
  • Assure compliance with the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals.
  • Monitor environmental safety issues and appropriate interventions on an ongoing basis.
  • Assure completion and follow-up on Variance reports and patient safety.
  • Report issues/trends to Lead Navigator.
  • Participate in identification, analysis, and reduction of risk issues.
• Actively participate in Cancer Care Committee meetings and Performance Improvement activities:
  • Regularly monitor quality indicators as defined by the Cancer Committees.
  • Report measurement results to the committees and facilitate the implementation of identified opportunities to improve care.
  • Participate in accreditation preparations and Cancer Program on-site survey.
• Promote Cancer Services in the community through a variety of venues (e.g., health fairs, business luncheons, cancer screenings).

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing required.
• Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Minimum 2 years nursing experience required.
• Previous ambulatory coordination experience required.

Qualifications

• Current valid Registered Nurse (RN) License, valid compact multistate license to work, or a temporary permit while awaiting licensure required.
• Current American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) strongly preferred at time of hire, required within 3 months of hire.
• American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required within 3 months of hire.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to effectively communicate and interact with patients, family members, hospital personnel, and co-workers.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize work assignments.
• Ability to learn, retain, and utilize computer skills required for department and hospital information systems.
• Ability to think critically and problem solve.

Schedule

Day Shift, Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm, workdays during the week will vary.

Benefits

We offer competitive pay and excellent benefits.

Physical Requirements

• Weight Demands: Medium Work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force.
• Physical Activity Occasionally Performed (1%-33%):
  • Climbing
  • Crawling
  • Kneeling
  • Sitting
• Physical Activity Frequently Performed (34%-66%):
  • Balancing
  • Carrying
  • Crouching
  • Distinguish colors
  • Keyboarding/typing
  • Lifting
  • Pulling/Pushing
  • Repetitive Motions
  • Stooping/bending
  • Twisting
• Physical Activity Constantly Performed (67%-100%):
  • Fingering/Touching
  • Grasping
  • Hearing
  • Reaching
  • Seeing/Visual
  • Speaking/talking
  • Standing
  • Walking

Job Hazards

• Not Related:
  • Electrical Shock/Static
  • Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, and microwaves that cause injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means)
• Rare (1-33%):
  • Radiation Alpha, Beta, and Gamma (particles such as X-Ray, Cat Scan, Gamma Knife, etc)
  • Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, and microwaves that cause injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means) - NICU only
• Occasionally (34%-66%):
  • Physical hazards (noise, temperature, lighting, wet floors, outdoors, sharps) (more than ordinary office environment)
  • Equipment/Machinery/Tools
  • Explosives (pressurized gas)
  • Hazardous Drugs (exposure risks, personal protective equipment required)