Inpatient Discharge RN Navigator - Oncology & BMT - Full Time - Jeff Hwy

Oncology & BMT Discharge Nurse Navigator

The Oncology & BMT Discharge Nurse Navigator serves as a clinical expert, patient advocate, educator, and care coordinator for hospitalized oncology and blood and marrow transplant (BMT) patients transitioning from the inpatient setting to the next phase of care. The navigator provides individualized support throughout the discharge process, ensuring safe transitions, continuity of care, and timely access to outpatient services. Working collaboratively with patients, caregivers, physicians, nursing staff, care management, and multidisciplinary team members, the navigator facilitates discharge planning, addresses barriers to care, coordinates follow-up services, and promotes a seamless patient experience while reducing preventable readmissions and avoidable delays in care.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

Education

Required - Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

Preferred - Associate's or Bachelor's degree in nursing.

Work Experience

Required - 2 years of nursing experience.

Preferred - Experience in oncology, hematology/BMT, inpatient oncology, infusion, care coordination, navigation, discharge planning, transitional care, or population health

Certifications

Required - Current registered nurse (RN) license in state of practice.

Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association.

Preferred - Certification in clinical specialty area.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Proficiency in using computers, software, and web-based applications.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally to varying levels of individuals throughout the patient care process.
• Excellent conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule (e.g. 24/7, weekend, holiday, on call availability) and travel throughout and between facilities.

Job Duties

• Serves as the primary discharge navigator, educator, and patient advocate for hospitalized oncology and BMT patients transitioning across the continuum of care.
• Develops therapeutic relationships with patients and caregivers, conducts nursing assessments, identifies barriers to discharge, and provides individualized education regarding hospitalization, discharge instructions, medications, symptom management, follow-up care, and available supportive services.
• Coordinates multidisciplinary discharge planning among physicians, nursing staff, pharmacy, social work, case management, rehabilitation services, home health agencies, infusion centers, transplant teams, and community resources.
• Facilitates timely discharge planning activities and identifies potential barriers that may delay discharge or negatively impact recovery following hospitalization.
• Assists with scheduling follow-up appointments, specialty consultations, treatment visits, laboratory testing, imaging studies, infusion appointments, and post-discharge services as appropriate.
• Triages patient concerns and collaborates with providers to address treatment-related issues, symptom management needs, discharge concerns, and care plan changes.
• Reinforces education regarding cancer treatment, transplant care, medications, infection prevention, symptom monitoring, emergency precautions, and escalation pathways.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation within the electronic medical record, including assessments, interventions, barriers, discharge readiness activities, patient education, and outcomes.
• Collaborates with physicians and multidisciplinary teams through discharge planning meetings, transition-of-care activities, and ongoing care coordination to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
• Facilitates referrals to supportive care services including social work, nutrition, psycho-oncology, rehabilitation, palliative care, financial counseling, survivorship resources, and community programs.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives focused on discharge efficiency, transitions of care, patient experience, and reduction of preventable readmissions.
• Supports continuity of care between inpatient and outpatient oncology, BMT, and supportive care teams.
• Participates in accreditation activities, educational initiatives, professional development opportunities, and department projects.
• Practices in accordance with Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Oncology Nurse Navigator Core Competencies and Association of Oncology Nurse Navigators (AONN+) Navigation Standards.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.

This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns. The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Work Environment / Scheduling

• This position follows a hybrid work model.
• Remote work eligibility is based on departmental needs, performance expectations, and operational requirements.
• Hybrid work arrangements may be available following successful completion of orientation and demonstration of independent role competency.
• Employees in this role may work remotely up to one (1) day per week, with the remaining workdays performed on-site.
• This position is primarily scheduled during standard business hours and does not routinely require nights, weekends, holidays, or on-call responsibilities.
• The schedule may be modified based on patient care needs, staffing requirements, and organizational priorities.

Physical and Environmental Demands 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.

Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.Duties performed routinely require exposure to blood, body fluid and tissue.The incumbent works in a patient care area; works in an area where patients enter; works directly with patients; and/or works with specimens that could contain diseases. There may be an occupational risk for exposure to all communicable diseases.

Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.

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Ochsner Health does not consider an individual an applicant until they have formally applied to the open position on this careers website.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected class, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.