Patient Navigator, RN MedOnc

SCOPE OF POSITION: The Medical Oncology Nurse Navigator serves as an expert oncology population specific clinician, patient/client advocate and assists cancer patients/families to navigate the complex health care system in an organized, effective and efficient manner. This position will assist with the standardization and efficiency of care for patients in the cancer service line throughout the continuum of patient care. The Medical Oncology Nurse Navigator models patient-centered care and assumes leadership responsibilities with high level contributions in direct patient interaction, the department, the service line, and across the institution.

ESSENTIAL FUNTIONS:
1. Serves as a liaison between ancillary departments, clinical specialists, primary care physicians and patients to ensure efficient patient flow for cancer service line patients.
2. Builds and maintains relationship with community organizations to help coordinate support services for patients. Educates patients, caregivers, staff and community on available support services.
3. Coordinates all aspects of patient care and development related to the cancer service line.
4. Educates the patient and caregiver on disease-specific guidelines and treatment options to enable patient-led treatment decisions.
5. Develops informational/educational resources and programs related to cancer program services, teaching nursing care principles, advanced technical knowledge, and provides formal education to groups outside the unit.

6. Coach and assist patients to remove barriers related to insurance coverage, transportation, child care, finances, language, etc so they can focus on their treatment plan.

7. Implements risk assessments and monitors healthcare pathways with multidisciplinary teams and intervenes when necessary to improve timeliness of care. Actively participates in a wide range of performance improvement activities by recommending and leading improvements in patient safety-related processes at unit or cancer service line level. Ensures appropriate data is collected and submitted to appropriate databases for service lines supported.

8. Serves as a clinical resource for complex and/or highly specialized patient care situations to patient care providers and other health care professionals within the hospital and in the community.
9. Fosters survivorship by developing and delivery of treatment summary and plans of care, education to patient and caregiver on follow up schedule and communication to healthcare team. Assist with maintaining follow up schedule and address late and long-term effects through continual needs assessments.
10. Attend disease specific Multi-Disciplinary Meeting (MDM) and/or other meetings as necessary, providing appropriate patient navigation program updates and metrics as requested.
11. Ensure appropriate patient data is available and patients are appropriately documented upon, including identification of appropriate clinical research study options.
 

QUALIFICATIONS

Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in nursing

1-3 years overall nursing experience

Current licensure as a practical or registered nurse in Louisiana

Experience as a nurse navigator, and/or patient educator in oncology

2-5 years oncology nursing experience

Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) or Navigation Certification