Nurse Navigator

Essential Functions:
1. Provides initial and continuous nursing assessment of patients medical condition, relative to diagnosis and stage of disease. This involves monitoring vital signs, registration, ordering, collecting, preparing and securing specimens for laboratory analysis, preparing and assisting with patient exams/treatments/surgical and diagnostic procedures, administering treatment or medications as ordered by physicians, and performing screening testing.
2. Develops and maintains effective channels of communication within the department, with other nurses, and other modalities in the Radiology Department. Collaborates with physicians and other clinical disciplines regarding individual patient care. Assists staff with retrieval of diagnostic test results and patient records. Communicates patient status when transferring responsibility of nursing care.
3. Educates patients and their families about therapy treatments; including possible side effects, skin care, dietary, requirements, and follow-up care. Individually accesses the psychological needs of the patient and their family, and provides emotional support and reassurance. Coordinates with other departments, as needed.
4. Considers and applies knowledge of age specific factors in the care, treatment, assessment, and education of patients (newborn through geriatric). Effectively applies policies relative to safety and infection control.
5. Accurately documents nursing care for each patient. Observes patients for reactions to prescribed therapies, medications, and diagnostic procedures. Assesses alterations in patient conditions or response and report observations and initiates follow-up.
6. Assists and educates the radiation therapist on the delivery of proper nursing care including; patient appliances, aides, nutrition, medications, skin care, and emotional stress.
7. Maintains adequate inventory of medical supplies and equipment for exams, treatment, diagnostic procedures, and maintains accurate records for use in budgetary and inventory process. Prepares and stocks examination rooms.
8. Participates in professional activities and attends educational in-services and committee meetings in order to obtain new knowledge about nursing care trends as they apply to radiation therapy and patient care/safety. Establishes and maintains communication with vendors about new supplies and equipment to improve care and services.
9. Assists the Director in the development and implementation of quality assessment activities and patient care and nursing policies and procedures.
10. Acts as a team player by supporting and interacting well with all members of the department, by helping out wherever needed.
11. Performs charge capture for Physician consultation and RN exam room teaching time.
Navigation: Serves as the Cancer Navigator for Radiation Therapy & Lung Screening Navigator for Lung Screening Program
12. Functions as a liaison for healthcare professionals, manages the patient's care and coordinates efforts for treatment through patient assessments.
13. Compiles data, tracks outcome and progress, follows care plan, ensures compliance of care plan, and makes recommendations for process/plan improvement.
14. Coordinates the provision of care for each patient to ensure achievement of outcomes by minimizing care gaps and facilitating delivery of care as ordered.
15. Maintains awareness of patient's financial constraints/coordinates others as needed for those patients.
16. Provides medication review.
17. Collects patient care information in preparation for physician consults (including orders, H&P, labs, DI reports, pathology, and other documents as needed per patient).
18. Performs discharge phone calls.
CT Simulation and Biopsy Procedures:
19. Starts IVs.
20. Administers IV s and IV Medications.
21. Administers medications, including narcotics per physician orders.
22. Provides dressing changes as necessary.
23. Collects patient care information for preparation of biopsy procedures (physician orders, H&P).
24. Assists the Radiologist with the biopsy procedure.
25. Performs documentation in the EMR.
26. Transports patients by pushing, pulling, lifting in a wheelchair or cart.
27. Provides recovery of the patient following biopsy procedures.
28. Communicates with the patient and/or family.
29. Coordinates provision of care with other departments within the hospital.
30. Performs other duties as assigned.
31. Initiates CPR.


Qualifications:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of accepted nursing standards and practices. Knowledge of radiation safety and radiation therapy practices and procedures desired. Possess skills in analytical thinking, planning, and organization. Demonstration of the ability to communicate well with clients and other healthcare professionals.
Education:
Graduate of a State Board approved or accredited school of nursing.
Experience:
Two (2) to three (3) years clinical experience preferred. Case management and/or navigation experience preferred. An RN without nurse navigation experience will be considered a Nurse Navigator-Level 1. An RN with 2 years or more of nurse navigation experience will be considered a Nurse Navigator-Level 2. An RN with 2 years of experience in the Nurse Navigator-Level 2 position at SBAMH will be considered as a Nurse Navigator-Level 3.
Certification/Licensure:
Current state of Kansas license or valid temporary permit to practice (if coming from out of state). Certification as an Oncology Certified Nurse is desired.
Code Blue Training:
A minimum level of BLS training is required.


Physical Demands:
May require frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, and grasping. Occasionally requires lifting and carrying up to 40 lbs. May also require pushing and pulling up to 35 lbs. Job requires full range of body motion, with occasional twisting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crawling, and reaching. Job may require reaching overhead. Job requires ability to handle and lift clients. Eye-hand coordination, and finger and manual dexterity are required. Requires corrected hearing and vision to a normal range. Job requires working under stressful conditions and/or irregular hours. Some exposure to communicable diseases, sharps, and hazardous material is anticipated. Job requires potential exposure to body fluids and radiation. Requires the ability to distinguish letters and symbols. Use of office equipment such as telephones, computers, copying machines, and intercom may be required. Repetitive movements such as writing or typing is required.


Working Conditions:
Work is predominately during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. However some variations may occur depending on workload and staffing. Emergency on-call does not apply to this position.