Nurse Navigator, Cancer Center

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY :

The Nurse Navigator functions on the multidisciplinary team as an advocate, interpreter and educator for oncology patients.

Responsible for ensuring all patients with an oncology diagnosis receive quality and comprehensive services.

Coordinates patient care throughout the continuum in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. Serves as a liaison throughout the facility and in the community regarding services provided for this unique patient population.

Serves as a single point of contact for referring physicians, patients, and caregivers to provide resources and assistance with accessing clinical and supportive care services offered within Shore Health System.

FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB :

Demonstrates the knowledge, skill, and coordination to provide nursing care and guidance to the cancer patient from referral through survivorship.

Systematically and continually performs the functions of assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the care of our patients.

Provides education and information to the patient and family, helping to make the care seamless, continuous and comprehensive.

Initiates and documents patient teaching, including family and significant others based on assessment of needs.

Responds to patient requests for information regarding the disease process, expected side effects of treatment and community resources.

Supports the patient during difficult decision-making periods. Assists in coordination of end of life care for patient and family and provides emotional support.

Functions in an organized and time conscious manner. The Navigator partners with patients, families, the interdisciplinary team, and community resources to provide well-coordinated, timely, compassionate, exemplary, interdisciplinary Care.

Communicates with all members of the healthcare team, as appropriate about patient / family needs and concerns.

Initiates and performs ongoing review of policies related to services provided. Where appropriate, updates or writes new policies to enhance professional practice.

Serves as a resource for community educational events, such as health fairs, screenings, symposiums, and lectures as well as staff education.

Facilitates appointments for consults and support services within established service standards, including social workers, dietitians, physician, etc.

Coordinates multidisciplinary planning conferences.

Develops concise patient summaries for use by the patient and care team utilizing standardized care protocols in accordance with nationally recognized care guidelines.

Develops patient education programs and tools.

Delivers quarterly reports cards to Cancer Committee and other groups which demonstrate outcomes and performance improvement activities.

Complies with all Federal and State laws and regulations.

Maintains the privacy and security of all confidential and protected health information. Uses and discloses only that information which is necessary to perform the function of the job.

Performs other duties as needed or assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSE / CERTIFICATION REQUIRED :

• Bachelor's degree and RN degree required; Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) preferred
• BLS certification required.

Eligibility Criteria for Initial OCN® Certification

Current, active, unrestricted RN license at the time of application & examination, and

• A minimum of one year (12 months) experience as an RN within the three years (36 months) prior to application, and
• A minimum of 1,000 hours of adult oncology nursing practice within the two-and-one-half years (30 months) prior to application, and
• Completion of 10 contact hours of accredited continuing education in oncology nursing or an academic elective in oncology within the past three years.

A maximum of 50% or 5 hours may be Continuing Medical Education. Nursing experience may be in the areas of nursing administration, education, clinical practice, or research.

Additional Information

Requires problem solving, decision making and critical thinking skills. Leadership, organizational, written, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills are required.

Must be able to work in a self-directed environment, with ability to work with and lead teams. Presentation skills to varied audiences along with the ability to implement professional and community based education programs.

Must be computer literate; Microsoft Explore and Microsoft Office competency required.