Oncology Nurse Navigator

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Cares for oncology patients through the continuum of care. Provides individualized assistance to patients, families and caregivers to help overcome healthcare system barriers and facilitate timely access to quality health and psychosocial care from prediagnosis through all phases of the cancer continuum to promote optimal outcomes. Maintains regular contact with medical staff, physician providers and their office staff and documents key components of patient interactions. Collects pertinent data and information related to identifying outcome measures.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

2. *Conducts initial and periodic patient assessments to identify physical, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual needs and barriers to care.

3. *Collaborates with other healthcare professionals to develop a plan and facilitate referrals to address needs and barriers.

4. *Facilitates the coordination of patient care services to ensure excellence in patient care and timeliness of patient care including coordination of services, treatment and communication among the medical team.

5. *Facilitates development, implementation and adherence to clinical and evidence-based guidelines, as appropriate, to ensure optimal clinical outcomes.

6. *Builds therapeutic and trusting relationships with patients, families and caregivers through effective communication and listening skills.

7. *Provides anticipatory guidance, education and psychosocial support throughout the cancer continuum.

8. *Makes rounds on inpatient units and outpatient settings. Contacts oncology patients as appropriate.

9. *Participates in cancer conferences to further care planning and communication with healthcare providers.

10. Assists in achieving and maintaining ACOS certification/accreditation through meeting or exceeding Center of Excellence standards of care.

11. *Documents patient encounters and provided services and maintains patient records accurately, completely, timely and confidentially according to procedures.

12. Serves as a resource person for the oncology program and provides assistance to the care team with management of oncologic issues.

13. *Collaborates with staff to provide education for the patient and family according to their needs, abilities, preferences and readiness to learn; assists patients, family and/or staff with problem-solving as indicated.

14. Supports the inpatient and outpatient discharge process for continuity of care and optimal patient outcomes; reviews and revises patient education materials; performs telephone follow-up calls on patients post discharge, at regular intervals.

15. Assists in the identification and reporting of quality issues and contributes to the performance improvement plan for the Oncology Center.

16. May provide staff education at the bedside, in an outpatient setting, in formal settings and to outside agencies as appropriate.

17. Exhibits behaviors and actions which create a high level of patient/ customer satisfaction, which contributes to positive patient/customer relations and which reflect respect for the patient's/customer's rights, needs and confidentiality.

18. *Ensures all patient care is provided in accordance with Hospital and other regulatory and safety requirements including the Joint Commission, OSHA, State and Federal regulations.

19. Works a minimum of 2 cancer program outreach events per year.

20. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.

21. Participates in meetings, committees and department projects as assigned.

22. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk "*". Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Maintains clinical competency as required for position including but not limited to age-specific competencies relative to patient's growth and development needs and annual skill competency verification.

2. Knowledge of nursing theory and practice including leadership skills.

3. Knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the human life span.

4. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

5. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with health care team members, physicians and diverse patient populations.

6. Ability to analyze information, understand statistics and provide input into the development of policies and procedures.

7. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

8. Ability to operate patient therapeutic equipment and/or machines as relevant to work duties.

9. Ability to balance and prioritize diverse management and clinical responsibilities.

10. Ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status, interpret the needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age-specific needs and provide necessary care.

11. Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.

12. Ability to provide instruction and direction to others.

13. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Associates in nursing degree required. Current Registered Nurse licensure from the State of Nebraska or approved compact state of residence as defined by the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act required. Minimum of one (1) year clinical practice, nursing management, quality management or case management experience required. Minimum of one (1) year prior experience in oncology nursing preferred.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

Oncology Certification required or obtained within 24 months of hire.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) - Characterized as light work requiring exertion up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.