Oncology Ambulatory Care Nurse

Oncology Nurse NavigatorOncology Nurse Navigators provide resources, support, assessments, referrals, education, care coordination and general guidance throughout the cancer care continuum. They help people "navigate" through the maze of doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals outpatient centers, insurance and payment systems, patient-support organizations and other components of the health care system. Services are designed to support timely delivery of quality standard cancer care and ensure that patients, survivors and families are satisfied with their encounters with the cancer care system. Navigators promote communication between the patient and health care providers, eliminate barriers to care, and ensure timely delivery of services. Licensed Registered Professional Nurse (RN) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Education: College Diploma: Nursing, Work Experience: ResponsibilitiesNavigators provide education and support to patients, caregivers, families, healthcare professionals, communities, etc.Provides education to patients, families, providers, caregivers, multidisciplinary colleagues and the community about cancer and the role of the oncology nurse navigatorServes as primary contact and advocate for patientsProvides support for patients across the cancer continuumActs as a liaison among the patient, family, caregivers, and healthcare teamPractices evidence-based processes including use of clinical guidelines and specialty resourcesEducates and assess patients' understanding of the disease process and treatment options required for informed decisionsAssists patients with their treatment goalsProvides comprehensive documentation of patient encounters, education and referralsProvides and reinforce education in all phases of cancer continuum including, but not limited to: treatment, care plan, symptom management and survivorship concernsEducates and reinforce the issue of adherence to the treatment planDevelops oncology-related education materialsPossesses clinical trial awareness and promote trial types and requirements, and engage with research team as appropriateUnderstands criteria for molecular testing and genetic counselingMaintains current trends and evidence through lifelong learning with continuing education and evidence-based practiceDiscusses physician visits with patients and families to assess understanding, interpret information as needed, and answer questionsContributes to the knowledge base of the healthcare community through involvement in professional organizations, presentations, publications and researchEmpowers patients with education and knowledge to help improve patient outcomes and satisfactionAttends community health fairs and screenings; provides community education presentations as appropriateFacilitates/participates/attends support groups and family/patient center programs, as appropriateProvides patient information on available services, community resources, and/or support groups.Contacts provider offices to establish check and balance of referralsPossesses a basic understanding of insurance (co-pays, deductibles, co-insurance)Contacts patient at diagnosis, high stress points, pre- and post-surgery, time of initiation of therapy and any other flag touch pointMeets with patient by phone or in person "within designated time" following "designated event" and follow patient per navigator- or facility- specific guidelinesFacilitate and coordinate timely care coordination throughout the cancer continuum in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.Facilitates keeping care in the system by identifying opportunities to retain diagnostic testing, radiation oncology services, etc.Communicates with ancillary departments to define and resolve specific problem areas and ensure timely delivery of patient care, including but not limited to diagnosis and treatmentContacts patient at diagnosis, high stress points, pre- and post-surgery, time of initiation of therapy and any other flag touch pointCoordinates and schedules appointments with providers to ensure timely delivery of diagnostic services, treatment services, and appropriate survivorship or hospice/palliative careAccompanies patients to appointments (particularly if there are multiple barriers to care) and/or providing clarification and literacy-level-appropriate education related to the visitAssists with the post-treatment transition to survivorship clinic and/or primary careCollaborates & communicates frequently and consistently with providers & other appropriate healthcare team members, ensuring seamless plan of care and follow-up careEnsures timely delivery of test results to patient by a care team memberAssists in selecting patients to be presented at Tumor Board and gather necessary patient information to present patient to physicians for discussionProvides telephone triage services (e.g. symptom management, emotional support, education, resource referral) for patients/familiesFacilitates communication with patients, survivors, families and the health care providers to monitor patient satisfaction with the cancer care experienceEnsures patient adherence with treatment planGets referrals that are needed, explaining the referral process and facilitating scheduling appointments with surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and other necessary services as appropriateFollows patient through the care continuum/experience, eliminating operational barriers (such as scheduling, test results, etc.) as well as other barriers to cancer servicesWorks closely with other healthcare disciplines to coordinate care and ensure timely appointments, result reporting, financial need and other referrals, communication, patient care and follow-upMaintains an active role in disease specific Tumor Conferences, including follow up on recommendationsProvides comprehensive documentation of patient's diagnostic testing, treatments, and referralsWorks with a variety of diverse and complex patients, families and both internal and external health care providers.Assesses & identify patients' needs and make appropriate referrals based on patient's needs, which may include case managers, social workers, registered dietitians, financial assistants, genetic counselors, chaplains, counselors, psychologists/psychiatrists, PT/OT, speech, home care, hospice, palliative care, interpreters, multi-disciplinary conferences (tumor board), support groups, lymphedema clinic, oncology rehabilitation, survivorship clinicAssesses for, identify, and assist in mitigating barriers to care and make appropriate referralsUtilizes appropriate screening and assessment tools (e.g., Maintains/uses a comprehensive database of local, regional and national resourcesUnderstands resources available to patients experiencing financial hardships and/or are uninsured/underinsuredAssists patients with access concerns (for screening, diagnosis or treatment) and assists with paperwork and addressing access barriers as indicated.Provides appropriate resources in a timely manner to meet patient's specific needs, local and national resource list in binder.Facilitates individualized care based on culture, health literacy, ethics, psychosocial needs, etc.Assists patients with advance directives, palliative care and end-of-life concernsIn conjunction with the Department Director, Navigators are responsible for systematically, and continually performing the functions of assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care according to the nursing process and the standards of accrediting bodies.Performs data entry and prepares reports for Director to monitor program outcomesDemonstrates problem solving skills and a win/win attitudeParticipates in tracking and monitoring metrics and outcomesActively participate in tumor boards, interdisciplinary meetings, cancer committee and other meetingsReports navigation program outcomes to key stakeholders, including but not limited to multidisciplinary teams, cancer committee, etc.Collaborates with other navigators internally & externally to share best practices and increase patient resourcesEnsures timely and appropriate documentation of all patient interactions into navigation tracking and documentation system and any databases to keep patient record up-to-dateAssists with ongoing navigation program assessment and identification of process improvement opportunitiesDevelops action plans for improvement, as necessaryIdentifies, implements and measures quality and process improvement initiativesDocuments non-compliance of patientsPursues continuing education opportunities related to oncology and navigationPerforms