Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Position: Oncology Nurse Navigator

Department: Oncology

Reports To: Director – Consulting Services

Direct Reports: None

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Position Summary

The Oncology Nurse Navigator RN (ONN-RN) is responsible for providing oncology-specific clinical knowledge and offers individualized assistance to patients, families, and caregivers to help overcome healthcare system barriers. The ONN-RN 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-RN will establish early contact with cancer patients to eliminate the barriers to timely cancer staging, referrals and treatment. The ONN-RN will function as an advocate, educator and counselor for cancer patients with a primary focus on a designated disease-specific site. The ONN-RN will coordinate patient access throughout the continuum of care in collaboration with any necessary clinical groups or multi-disciplinary teams. The ONN-RN serves as a clinical resource with expertise in oncology care management and serve as a liaison throughout the healthcare system and external community. The ONN-RN will work with marketing and community cancer partners (i.e.: American Cancer Society), clinical teams, and the oncology staff to develop new services and programs by coordinating interaction between patients, practitioners staff and the community.

General Duties, Tasks and Responsibilities

• Performs accurate and complete assessment of patients throughout navigation; coordinates and ensures completion of interdisciplinary screenings and assessments; assesses and reassesses pain; assessments are age, culture and psychosocial appropriate.
• Acts as a liaison between the patients, families, and caregivers and the providers to optimize outcomes
• Facilitates timely scheduling of appointments, diagnostic testing, and procedures to expedite the plan of care and to promote continuity of care.
• Provides anticipatory guidance and manages expectations to assist patients in coping with the diagnosis of cancer and its potential or expected outcomes.
• Provides education on genomic and molecular testing and the implications of the results.
• Explains and educates specialty procedures to patient/family; utilizes specialty equipment; assists practitioners with procedures; utilizes other departments to provide interdisciplinary care as appropriate.
• Educates the patient/ family regarding treatment plan and follow up instructions given per practitioners’ instructions including any education handouts.
• Applies knowledge of insurance processes (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, third-party payers) and their impact on staging, referrals, and patient care decisions toward establishing appropriate referrals, as needed. Able to complete prior authorizations as necessary.
• Assist in the identification of candidates for molecular testing and/or genetic testing and counseling and facilitates appropriate referrals. Supports a smooth transition of patients from active treatment into survivorship, chronic cancer management, or end-of-life. Assist patients with cancer with issues related to treatment goals, advance directives, palliative care, and end-of-life concerns using an ethical framework that is nonjudgmental and nondiscriminatory.
• Follows medical records documentation guidelines regarding timeliness of reviews and completeness of documentation; obtains and documents accurate and thorough patient medical history including pertinent history, pain assessment, current medications, identified health risk factors and other needed information.
• Performs all aspects of the position in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/healthcare errors; utilizes established hand-off communication protocols; maintains the security of the department.
• Cross-trained to infusion services for coverage options.
• Complies with all established safety procedures to ensure a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff.
• Participates in performance improvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) Required

Certification/Licensure Requirements

• Current IL RN License Required
• BLS Required
• ACLS Required within 6 months of employment
• Oncology Nurse Society (ONS/ONCC) Certification in Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy within 6 months of employment

Experience Requirements

• Registered Nurse minimum 2 years Preferred
• Critical Care / Oncology minimum 2 years Preferred

Computer Skills

• Strong computer skills with the ability to navigate multiple EMR programs

Additional Skills

• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and work independently in a team environment
• Excellent ability to thrive under pressure and adapt to changes in assignment
• Excellent communication and customer service skills

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