RN Navigator - Radiation Oncology - Full Time - Days

Why work for Nebraska Methodist Health System?
At Nebraska Methodist Health System, we focus on providing exceptional care to the communities we serve and people we employ. We call it The Meaning of Care – a culture that has and will continue to set us apart. It’s helping families grow by making each delivery special, conveying a difficult diagnosis with a compassionate touch, going above and beyond for a patient’s needs, or giving a high five when a patient beats a disease or conquers a personal health challenge. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a great work environment where all employees are valued! Most importantly, our employees are part of a team that makes a real difference in the communities we live and work in.

Job Summary:

Location: Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital
Address: 933 E Pierce St, Council Bluffs, IA

Day Shift, M-F 7:30am-4:00pm, workdays during the week will vary.

Accountable for the delivery of quality care to patients and families according to the individualized needs of the patient.

The Nurse Navigator is a professional whose clinical expertise guides patients, families and their caregivers toward informed decision-making. The Nurse Navigator collaborates with a multi-disciplinary team to allow for timely cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment and increased supportive care across the cancer continuum.

Responsibilities:

Essential Functions

Provide appropriate care specific to the age of the customer/patient, to ensure understanding and comfort level of treatment as outlined in the Population Specific Criteria.

• Demonstrates ability to identify opportunities for and give individualized customer service/patient care according to customer/patient needs.

Perform initial and ongoing assessment to determine the patient's needs.

• Includes data from the patient/significant other(s) in the assessment as appropriate.
• Prioritizes data collection according to patient's immediate needs.

Develops/reviews/revises and individualizes the plan of care to address the patient's nursing care needs for optimum patient care outcomes. (Consultation and resources, nurses as teachers.)

• Collaborates with providers and other clinical disciplines as appropriate.
• Provides teaching specific to the patient.
• Care plan reflects continuing care needs and/or referrals.

Implements interventions that are consistent with the established plan of care in a safe and appropriate manner (Professional Models of Care).

• Is familiar with, and follows, nursing protocols and standards of care.
• Uses current knowledge in nursing practice based on standards and research literature.

Performs technical skills competently and independently to assure patient safety (autonomy).

• Able to competently perform technical skills independently.
• Is accountable to learn new skills and equipment within areas' specifications and time frame.
• Demonstrates correct and safe technique in the use of equipment according to specific product information and policy and procedure manuals.
• Follows appropriate procedure for obtaining and returning or cleaning/disposing of equipment and supplies.

Maintains a professional behavior in attitude, demeanor, interactions to achieve organization's mission. (Quality Improvement, Image of Nursing, Interdisciplinary Relationships, Professional Development, community and the healthcare organization.)

• Communicates effectively to solve problems at the personal and unit level.
• Is approachable and professional in working with other health professionals, ancillary staff, patients and family.
• Takes pride in the unit by active participation in restocking and maintaining a clean environment.
• Maintains a professional appearance, behavior, and work environment.
• Maintains competence in area of experience.
• Participates in meetings and/or committees as needed to assist in decisions effecting area/unit or organization.

Initiates action to correct, prevent, and/or minimize risk(s) to the patient, family or staff/employees. (Quality of Care)

• Completes appropriate report form for a risk (e.g., variance/incident report, patient concern report, maintenance request).
• Communicates to appropriate personnel regarding unresolved issues.
• Works within the scope of practice as defined by Nurse Practice Act.

Fiscally accountable.

• Acts professionally responsible for human and other resources.
• Charges accurately for use of supplies and equipment according to policy.

Provide on-site coordination of the weekly clinic by efficiently organizing schedule to fit physician and patient needs, gathering patient information, and recording follow-up recommendations.

• Prepares weekly schedule for patients and physicians.
• Coordinates/collaborates with ancillary departments weekly.
• Update EMR and collect outside patient records prior to appointment to promote efficiency.
• Schedules appropriate ancillary testing based on patient diagnosis prior to appointment.
• Schedules surgical procedures with Access and MD offices.
• Order outside radiology exams and pathology slides.

Communicate with patient, families and referring physicians regarding treatment plan and follow-up.

• Timely communication with patients and families regarding treatment plan.
• Evaluates patients capabilities and/or limitations related to treatment plan.
• Schedule appropriate referrals to specialty physicians as needed for treatment plan.
• Administer psychosocial distress screening tool to all new patients.
• Refer patients to any and all appropriate supportive services within the cancer center, community and outside of cancer centers as needed.
• Provide preoperative education to patients and family using individualized strategies.

Guides patients, families and their caregivers to informed decision-making by collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to support optimal patient care across the continuum.

• Facilitates planning and provides education to patients and families about their individual diagnosis and treatment options.
  • Provide ACS personal health care manager packet to patient and provide education on their cancer diagnosis.
  • Enroll patients in Expectation Management and Medical Information (EMMI) program.
  • Plan and coordinate referrals to Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology when appropriate.
• Supports and navigates each patient through treatment by reinforcing education and coordinating information and care with a team of physicians and allied healthcare professionals.
• Participates in cancer treatment planning conferences with physicians, nurses, and allied health care professionals to discuss and determine the best treatment plan for each newly diagnosed patient with cancer.
  • Accurately records treatment plans discussed at conferences and communicates information with appropriate providers.
  • Provide appropriate follow-up with patients regarding their treatment plan.
• Refers patients to appropriate cancer support programs and resources within the cancer center and community.
• Teaches patients and families about cancer prevention, screening guidelines, diagnosis, treatment options, clinical research trials, and the importance of early detection.
• Facilitates education and participation in clinical research trials as appropriate.
• Assists with the development of an ongoing survivorship plan. Ensure plan is documented in the Electronic Medical Record.

Promotes a Culture of safety by:

• Assures compliance with the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals.
• Monitors on an ongoing basis environmental safety issues and appropriate interventions.
• Assures completion and follow-up on Variance reports and patient safety.
• Reports issues/trends to Lead Navigator.
• Participates in identification, analysis and reduction of risk issues.

Facilitates planning and provides education to patients and families about their individual diagnosis and treatment options.

Supports and navigates each patient through treatment by reinforcing education and coordinating information and care with a team of physicians and allied healthcare professionals.

Refers patients to appropriate support programs and resources within the center and community.

Actively participate in Cancer Care Committee meetings and Performance Improvement activities.

• Regularly monitors quality indicators as defined by the Cancer Committees.
• Reports measurement results to the committees and facilities the implementation of identified opportunities to improve care.
• Participate in accreditation preparations and Cancer Program on-site survey.

Promote Cancer Services in the community through a variety of venues (e.g., health fairs, business luncheons, cancer screenings, etc.).

• Promotes information in the community.

Schedule:

Day Shift, M-F 7:30am-4:00pm, work days during the week will vary. 

Job Description:

Job Requirements

Education

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing required.
• Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years nursing experience required.
• Previous ambulatory coordination experience required.

License/Certifications

• Current valid Registered Nurse (RN) License, valid compact multistate license to work, or a temporary permit while awaiting licensure required.
• Current American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) strongly preferred at time of hire, required within 3 months of hire.
• American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required within 3 months of hire.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to effectively communicate and interact with patients, family members, hospital personnel, and co-workers.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize work assignments.
• Ability to learn, retain, and utilize computer skills that are required for department and hospital information system.
• Ability to think critically and problem solve.

Physical Requirements

Weight Demands

• Medium Work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force.

Physical Activity

• Occasionally Performed (1%-33%):
  • Climbing
  • Crawling
  • Kneeling
  • Sitting
• Frequently Performed (34%-66%):
  • Balancing
  • Carrying
  • Crouching
  • Distinguish colors
  • Keyboarding/typing
  • Lifting
  • Pulling/Pushing
  • Repetitive Motions
  • Stooping/bending
  • Twisting
• Constantly Performed (67%-100%):
  • Fingering/Touching
  • Grasping
  • Hearing
  • Reaching
  • Seeing/Visual
  • Speaking/talking
  • Standing
  • Walking

Job Hazards

• Not Related:
  • Electrical Shock/Static
  • Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared and microwaves that causes injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means)
• Rare (1-33%):
  • Radiation Alpha, Beta and Gamma (particles such as X-Ray, Cat Scan, Gamma Knife, etc)
  • Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared and microwaves that causes injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means) - NICU only
• Occasionally (34%-66%):
  • Physical hazards (noise, temperature, lighting, wet floors, outdoors, sharps) (more than ordinary office environment)
  • Equipment/Machinery/Tools
  • Explosives (pressurized gas)
  • Hazardous Drugs (exposure risks, personal protective equipment required)
• Frequent (67%-100%):
  • Chemical agents (Toxic, Corrosive, Flammable, Latex)
  • Biological agents (primary air born and blood born viruses) (Jobs with Patient contact) (BBF)
  • Mechanical moving parts/vibrations

About Methodist:

Nebraska Methodist Health System is made up of four hospitals in Nebraska and southwest Iowa, more than 30 clinic locations, a nursing and allied health college, and a medical supply distributorship and central laundry facility. From the day Methodist Hospital was chartered in 1891, service to our communities has been a top priority. Financial assistance, health education, outreach to our diverse communities and populations, and other community benefit activities have always been central to our mission.

Nebraska Methodist Health System is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by Federal, state or local law.