Oncology Nurse Navigator

Description

The Nurse Navigator functions on the multidisciplinary team as an advocate, interpreter, educator, and counselor for oncology patients. She/he is responsible for ensuring all adult patients with an oncology diagnosis receive quality and comprehensive services. He/she will coordinate patient care throughout the continuum in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. She/he will serve as a clinical resource with expertise in hematology/oncology care management.

He/she will serve as a liaison throughout the facility and in the community regarding services provided for this unique patient population. He/she will provide expert nursing care, which includes direct clinical practice, consultation, education, and research.

• Assess patients’ needs and make appropriate referrals.
• Identify barriers to care using the NCCN Distress Thermometer tool.
• Maintain/use a comprehensive database of local, regional, and national resources.
• Assess patients’ understanding of the disease process and treatment options required for informed decisions.
• Systemically and continually perform the functions of assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the care according to the nursing process and Oncology Nursing Society Standards of Practice.
• Provide comprehensive documentation of patient encounters, services, and referrals.
• Initiate and document patient teaching including family and significant others based on assessment of needs.
• Assist with the post-treatment transition (e.g., survivorship care plan development, follow-up plans).
• Educate and reinforce the issue of adherence to the treatment plan.
• Develop oncology-related education materials.
• Promote clinical trial awareness.
• Participate in tracking metrics and outcomes.
• Contribute to the knowledge base of the healthcare community through involvement in professional organizations, presentations, publications and research.

Experience and

Education:

• ADN, BSN, MSN with 3-5 years Oncology experience. BSN, MSN preferred.
• Current licensure in the State of Georgia and SC as appropriate (multistate).
• Strong oncology knowledge with certifications like OCN, AOCNS, APCNP, CBCN or BMTCN. Oncology Nursing Certification (OCN) within 3 years of employment.

• Distress Screening Tool PHQ 2 and 9.
• NCCN Distress Thermometer.
• Criteria for molecular testing and genetic counseling.
• Advance directives, palliative care, and end-of-life concerns.
• Patient privacy regulations.
• Current trends and evidence through lifelong learning with continuing education and evidence-based practice.
• Evidence-based practice process including use of clinical guidelines and specialty resources.