Oncology Nurse Navigator

Oncology Nurse Navigator Role

As the oncology nurse navigator here at BASS, your purpose is to be a link between cancer patients and their healthcare team, with the intention to support the cancer care process and contribute to providing a positive patient experience. The key responsibilities include:

1. Patient education: Explaining diagnoses, treatment options, and side effects
2. Care coordination: Assist with tracking patient diagnostic and treatment process; facilitating communication between specialists and ancillary providers.
3. Emotional support: Providing counseling referrals and connecting patients with support services
4. Barrier identification: Addressing obstacles to care, such as transportation or financial issues
5. Treatment monitoring: Tracking patient progress and supporting patients in the successful completion of treatment recommendations.
6. Resource provision: Offering information on community resources and support groups
7. Advocacy: Ensuring patients' needs and preferences are communicated to the healthcare team and their caregivers.
8. Patient identification and retention: Working with other providers to identify patients who will potentially receive treatment at the cancer center and guiding them to our providers and services.

Requirements

1. Day-to-Day Tasks and Responsibilities

• Conduct initial patient assessments of patient needs
• Attend huddles and multidisciplinary patient consultations
• Update and maintain patient records
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams
• Respond to patient inquiries via phone or email
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives

2. Patient Education

• Explain cancer diagnoses using easy-to-understand language
• Discuss treatment options, including potential risks and benefits
• Educating on side effect management and self-care strategies
• Provide information on clinical trials when appropriate
• Teach patients how to navigate the healthcare system effectively

3. Care Coordination

• Assist in coordination of appointments across various specialties
• Ensure smooth transitions between different phases of care
• Facilitate communication between primary care physicians, oncologists, surgeons, and other specialists
• Assist in coordination of necessary diagnostic tests and follow-ups

4. Emotional Support

• Provide one-on-one counseling and referrals to patients and families
• Offer guidance on coping strategies for dealing with cancer diagnosis and treatment
• Facilitate support group contact or connect patients with existing groups
• Provide resources for managing stress, anxiety, and depression
• Offer end-of-life care discussions and support when necessary

5. Barrier Identification and Resolution

• Assess patients for potential barriers to care (e.g., financial, transportation, cultural, linguistic) and provide appropriate referrals
• Assist in coordination of transportation services or provide information on available options

6. Treatment Monitoring

• Track patient progress throughout the treatment journey
• Monitor for treatment-related side effects and complications
• Coordinate with the healthcare team to adjust care plans as needed
• Ensure patients are adhering to treatment regimens
• Facilitate symptom management through education and referrals

7. Resource Provision

• Maintain an up-to-date database of community resources
• Provide information on support services (e.g., nutrition counseling, physical therapy, pain management)
• Offer guidance on complementary therapies and integrative medicine options
• Provide educational materials tailored to each patient's needs and preferences

8. Patient Advocacy

• Represent patient interests and preferences in multidisciplinary team meetings
• Ensure patients understand their rights and treatment options
• Facilitate shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers
• Address any concerns or complaints patients may have about their care

Education / Training Requirements

Required

- High School or GED

- Graduation from an accredited school of nursing as a Registered Nurse.

- Knowledge and experience with case management of acute and complex patients.

- Ability to make independent judgments based on clinical knowledge and experience required in planning for short, immediate, and long-term goals and options.

- BSN Degree

- Possession of a current California RN license.

- CPR Certification.

Preferred

- Knowledge of care/services provided in differing levels of care, i.e., ambulatory, and institutional settings, community-based resources, SNF, Home Health, Hospice, and Palliative Care.

- Analytical skills to identify and obtain pertinent data from multiple sources and work with culturally diverse patients and families with multiple needs or disabilities.

Physical Demands

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk or working on a computer.

Prolonged periods of standing and bending.

Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Hourly Range - $80 - $97