Oncology Nurse Navigator

Description

Oncology Nurse Navigator Role 

       As the oncology nurse navigator here at BASS, your purpose is to be a link between cancer patients and their healthcare team, with the intention to support the cancer care process and contribute to providing a positive patient experience. The  key responsibilities include:

1. Patient education: Explaining      diagnoses, treatment options, and side effects
2. Care coordination: Assist with      tracking patient diagnostic and treatment process; facilitating      communication between specialists and ancillary providers. 
3. Emotional support: Providing      counseling referrals and connecting patients with support services
4. Barrier identification:      Addressing obstacles to care, such as transportation or financial issues
5. Treatment monitoring: Tracking      patient progress and supporting patients in the successful completion of      treatment recommendations. 
6. Resource provision: Offering      information on community resources and support groups
7. Advocacy: Ensuring patients'      needs and preferences are communicated to the healthcare team and their      caregivers.
8. Patient identification and      retention: Working with other providers to identify patients who will      potentially receive treatment at the cancer center and guiding them to our      providers and services. 

Requirements

Oncology Nurse Navigator Role 

1. Day-to-Day Tasks and Responsibilities

• Conduct initial      patient assessments of patient needs
• Attend huddles and      multidisciplinary patient consultations 
• Update and maintain      patient records
• Collaborate with      multidisciplinary teams
• Respond to patient      inquiries via phone or email
• Participate in quality      improvement initiatives

2. Patient Education

• Explain cancer      diagnoses using easy-to-understand language
• Discuss treatment      options, including potential risks and benefits
• Educating on side      effect management and self-care strategies
• Provide information on      clinical trials when appropriate
• Teach patients how to      navigate the healthcare system effectively

3. Care Coordination

• Assist in coordination      of appointments across various specialties
• Ensure smooth      transitions between different phases of care
• Facilitate      communication between primary care physicians, oncologists, surgeons, and      other specialists
• Assist in coordination      of necessary diagnostic tests and follow-ups

4. Emotional Support

• Provide one-on-one      counseling and referrals to patients and families
• Offer guidance on      coping strategies for dealing with cancer diagnosis and treatment
• Facilitate support      group contact or connect patients with existing groups
• Provide resources for      managing stress, anxiety, and depression
• Offer end-of-life care      discussions and support when necessary

5. Barrier Identification and Resolution

• Assess patients for      potential barriers to care (e.g., financial, transportation, cultural,      linguistic) and provide appropriate referrals
• Assist in coordination      of transportation services or provide information on available options

6. Treatment Monitoring

• Track patient progress      throughout the treatment journey
• Monitor for      treatment-related side effects and complications
• Coordinate with the      healthcare team to adjust care plans as needed
• Ensure patients are      adhering to treatment regimens
• Facilitate symptom      management through education and referrals

7. Resource Provision

• Maintain an up-to-date      database of community resources
• Provide information on      support services (e.g., nutrition counseling, physical therapy, pain      management)
• Offer guidance on      complementary therapies and integrative medicine options
• Provide educational      materials tailored to each patient's needs and preferences

8. Patient Advocacy

• Represent patient      interests and preferences in multidisciplinary team meetings
• Ensure patients      understand their rights and treatment options
• Facilitate shared      decision-making between patients and healthcare providers
• Address any concerns      or complaints patients may have about their care

EDUCATION / TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED 

- High School or GED

- Graduation from an accredited school of nursing as a   Registered Nurse.

- Knowledge and experience with case management of acute   and complex patients.

- Ability to make independent judgments based on clinical   knowledge and experience required in planning for short, immediate, and   long-term goals and options.

- BSN Degree 

- Possession of a current California RN license. 

- CPR Certification. 

PREFERRED

- Knowledge of care/services provided in differing levels   of care, i.e., ambulatory, and institutional settings, community-based   resources, SNF, Home Health, Hospice, and Palliative Care.

- Analytical skills to identify and obtain pertinent data   from multiple sources and work with culturally diverse patients and families   with multiple needs or disabilities.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk   or working on a computer. 

• Prolonged periods of standing and   bending. 

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds   at times.

Hourly Range -   $80 - $97