Oncology Nurse Navigator

Job Description Summary

The Oncology Nurse Navigator (ONN) uses their oncology-specific clinical knowledge to offer individualized assistance to patients, families and caregivers to help overcome healthcare system barriers. Using the nursing process, an ONN provides education and resources to facilitate informed decision making and timely access to quality health and psychosocial care throughout all phases of the cancer continuum. The ONN is responsible for routine nursing aspects of the Program, which include clinical care, telephone triage, symptom management, management of patients on oral chemotherapy, data gathering and chart updating, patient education, and monitoring and follow-up of patients.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

A. Assumes nursing care responsibilities for a defined group of patients within the program, including but not limited to assessment, education, coordination, and documentation.
1. Facilitates individualized care within the context of functional status, cultural consideration, health literacy, psychosocial, reproductive/fertility, and spiritual needs for patients, families and caregivers.
2. Provides a welcoming, helpful approach to new DFCI patients, promotes positive, professional image.
3. Supports a smooth transition of patients from diagnosis and active treatment into survivorship, chronic cancer management, or end-of-life care.
4. Assists patients with cancer with issues related to treatment goals, advanced directives, palliative care, and end-of-life concerns using an ethical framework that is nonjudgmental and nondiscriminatory.
5. Acts as a liaison between the patients, families, and caregivers and the providers to optimize outcomes.
6. Advocates for patients to promote patient centered care that includes shared decision making and patient goals of care with optimal outcomes.
7. Provides psychosocial support to and facilitates appropriate referrals for patients, families and caregivers
8. Contributes to ONN program and role development, implementation, and evaluation within the healthcare system and community.
9. Participates in day-to-day operations of the satellite program.
10. Participates in the tracking and monitoring of metrics and outcomes, in collaboration with administration, to document and evaluate outcomes of the navigation program. 
11. Functions as the primary nursing contact for care delivered within the satellite setting and collaborating nursing professionals.
12. Evaluates patient care in the program and collaborates with the other disciplines to facilitate appropriate clinical decision-making and to implement change when necessary.
13. Manages patient care across the continuum, making appropriate referrals, as necessary.
14. Works collaboratively and functions as an effective member of the health care team.
15. Monitors the environment of care with attention to patient safety and assures compliance with regulatory agency standards.
16. Maintains clinical practice that is evidence-based and consistent with nursing policies, procedures and standards.
17. Provides care based on age-specific needs of the patient (population served: young adult to geriatric)
18. Adheres to the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (ANA, 2015) in all aspects of professional practice.
19. Complies with accepted standards of professional nursing practice that is evidence- based and consistent with policy, and procedures determined by DFCI as well as with all licensure/registration requirements applicable to the nursing role.
20. Promotes a culture of inclusion. Fosters an environment that is sensitive to the needs of diverse populations, including but not limited to culture, ethnicity, gender, and age.

B. Professional Development:
1. Identifies areas for professional growth.
2. Formulates professional goals, objectives and methods for accomplishing these.
3. Participated in shared governance - Serves as representative on Nursing and Institute committees.
4. Supports research activities within the Nursing and Patient Care Services and the Institute.
5. Meets all annual evaluation requirements and competencies within the established time period.
6. Pursues active membership in local and national professional organizations.
7. Participates in program evaluation and development of strategic goals.
8. Participates in the QA/QI projects for the program.



 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Education

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing as validated through the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing

Baccalaureate degree in nursing strongly preferred. If associate degree in nursing, must complete BSN degree within 4 years

Minimum Work Experience

Minimum of 1-year recent experience as an RN 

Ambulatory and/or oncology experience preferred 

Required Licenses / Registrations

RN - Registered Nurse

Certifications

Professional nursing certification preferred (OCN, BMTCN, CPHON, AOCNP, CRNI, RN-BC) 

Required Classes/Skills -

BLS - Basic Life Support

ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support accepted as minimum requirement

Required additional Knowledge, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and ability to make independent decisions.
• Ability to function in a busy work setting with patients with complex needs.
• Ability to put patients at ease while efficiently collecting data required by phone.
• Demonstrated ability to build and foster relationships with teams across diverse settings.
• Possess the ability to foster team relationships. The Mission, Vision, and Core Values of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are incorporated into all areas of practice.
• Good hearing and vision is required for the time spent in interactions with others, telecommunications and the required reading of medical and pharmaceutical documents and patient care related documents.
• Communications with physicians or staff during office hours requires organization of information, discretion and balancing of multiple communications.
• Relationships with patients/families and colleagues requires excellent listening skills, the ability to identify issues and seek a resolution that reflects the quality care and satisfaction goals of the practice.
• The work requires concentration and frequent mental and visual attention as well as the ability to work efficiently. Frequent interruptions and movement away from desk require the ability to stay focused and return to uncompleted tasks.
• Telephone communications listening and speaking skills are required for the time spent in this mode of communication.
• The ability to balance multiple tasks and normal stress associated with the duties and responsibilities of this position are essential requirements in the performance of this job.
• The ability to speak, read and write in English, and the ability to perform mathematical pharmaceutical calculations is required for this position.