Radiation Oncology Nurse Navigator (Hybrid)

Radiation Oncology Nurse Navigator

Texas Oncology is looking for a Radiation Oncology Nurse Navigator to join our team! These positions will support the Virtual Care Program and will work in a HYBRID setting with the onsite aspect based at Texas Oncology Sammons Cancer Center (3410 Worth Street, Dallas, TX). Onsite presence is required a minimum of two days per week, with specific schedule and frequency determined by departmental and patient care needs, and subject to change. Remote days are work from the employee's home residence within a commutable distance of the Dallas practice. Typical hours for this position are Mon-Fri from 8a-5p.

Texas Oncology is the largest community oncology provider in the country and has approximately 600+ providers in 220+ sites across Texas and southeastern Oklahoma. Our founders pioneered community-based cancer care because they believed in making the best available cancer care accessible to all communities, allowing people to fight cancer at home with the critical support of family and friends nearby. Our mission is still the same todayat Texas Oncology, we use leading-edge technology and research to deliver high-quality, high-touch, evidence-based cancer care to help our patients achieve "More breakthroughs. More victories." in their fight against cancer. Today, Texas Oncology treats half of all Texans diagnosed with cancer on an annual basis.

The Radiation Nurse Navigator serves as a clinical expert and resource liaison for patients receiving radiation therapy, guiding them from treatment decisions through treatment initiation and completion. The Navigator anticipates and resolves barriers to care, coordinates multidisciplinary activities required for treatment readiness including diagnostic testing, records retrieval, and specialty referrals. The Radiation Nurse Navigator partners with Physicians, Advanced Practice Providers, and clinic staff to ensure timely, coordinated, patient-centered care. Under general supervision, provides professional nursing care for patients adhering to national and organizational standards and guidelines for specialty care and scope of practice per state licensing board. Must recognize physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of care and participates in company-wide quality initiatives. Supports and adheres to the US Oncology Compliance Program, to include the Code of Ethics and Business Standards.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinates patient care activities for radiation oncology patients, exercising clinical judgment within the scope of practice and in alignment with departmental priorities.
• Facilitates treatment readiness from consult through simulation and first treatment, ensuring required consults, diagnostic testing, records retrieval, and clearances are completed timely.
• Leads assessment of, and solutions to, barriers to care, engaging patients, families, and team members as appropriate.
• Educates patients and caregivers on the multidisciplinary nature of radiation therapy, the roles of the care team, expected side effects, and what to expect throughout the course of treatment.
• Coordinates care across radiation oncology, medical oncology, radiopharmaceutical services, social work, dietary, financial counseling, and other supportive services, including for patients on concurrent chemoradiation regimens.
• Identifies credible resources responsive to patient needs, accounting for health literacy, culture, language, and the amount of information desired.
• Assists with review and revision of navigation-related policies and procedures, and provides staff training and in-service instruction as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Critical Skills:

• Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Ability to apply the full nursing process in day-to-day clinical operations, including assessment, analysis and nursing diagnosis, care planning, implementation and outcomes evaluation
• Ability to assess health disparities, identify needs of populations and cultures found within the general facility service area, describe a patient navigation process to address those needs, and document outcomes
• Ability to prioritize and re-prioritize quickly
• Strong organizational and critical thinking skills
• Ability to apply and/or oversee care coordination in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Basic knowledge of local community resources

Qualifications:

• Required Education/Training Graduate from an accredited program for professional nursing education, BSN preferred.
• Required Licensure RN state license and current registration with the State Board of Nursing in Texas. Must maintain continuing education requirements.
• Required Additional Certification Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Required Business Experience Minimum 5 years of Oncology Nursing Experience with at least 3 of those years focused in Radiation Oncology
• Highly Preferred Specialized Knowledge/Skills Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) or Radiation Oncology Certified Nurse (ROCN), or Oncology Nurse Navigator certification or relevant experience.

Work Environment:

Hybrid Work Environment: This position is hybrid, requiring the nurse to work partially from home in a quiet, private location with reliable internet access and in the office at Texas Oncology Sammons Cancer Center (3410 Worth Street, Dallas, TX 75246 - Radiation Department).

Virtual & In Person Collaboration: Regularly collaborate with the interdisciplinary team via video conferencing, phone calls, and other digital communication platforms.

Technological Proficiency: Must be comfortable using telehealth platforms, electronic health records (EHRs), and other digital tools necessary for remote patient care and communication.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination. Requires standing and walking for extensive periods of time. Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 40 lbs. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range. Required to lift and assist patients as requested.