Oncology Nurse Navigator

Overview

The Oncology Nurse Navigator (ONN) uses oncology-specific clinical knowledge to offer individualized assistance to patients, families, and caregivers, helping overcome healthcare system barriers. Using the nursing process, an ONN 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 is responsible for routine nursing aspects of the Program, which include clinical care, telephone triage, symptom management, management of patients on oral chemotherapy, data gathering and chart updating, patient education, and monitoring and follow‑up of patients.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana‑Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life‑changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care.

• Assumes nursing care responsibilities for a defined group of patients within the program, including assessment, education, coordination, and documentation.
• Facilitates individualized care within the context of functional status, cultural considerations, health literacy, psychosocial, reproductive/fertility, and spiritual needs for patients, families, and caregivers.
• Provides a welcoming, helpful approach to new DFCI patients, promoting a positive, professional image.
• Supports a smooth transition of patients from diagnosis and active treatment into survivorship, chronic cancer management, or end‑of‑life care.
• Assists patients with cancer in addressing issues related to treatment goals, advanced directives, palliative care, and end‑of‑life concerns using an ethical, non‑judgmental, and non‑discriminatory framework.
• Acts as a liaison between patients, families, and caregivers and the providers to optimize outcomes.
• Advocates for patients to promote patient‑centered care that includes shared decision‑making and patient goals of care with optimal outcomes.
• Provides psychosocial support to and facilitates appropriate referrals for patients, families, and caregivers.
• Contributes to ONN program and role development, implementation, and evaluation within the healthcare system and community.
• Participates in day‑to‑day operations of the satellite program.
• Participates in tracking and monitoring of metrics and outcomes, in collaboration with administration, to document and evaluate outcomes of the navigation program.
• Functions as the primary nursing contact for care delivered within the satellite setting and collaborating nursing professionals.
• Evaluates patient care in the program and collaborates with other disciplines to facilitate appropriate clinical decision‑making and implement change when necessary.
• Manages patient care across the continuum, making appropriate referrals as needed.
• Works collaboratively and functions as an effective member of the health care team.
• Monitors the environment of care with attention to patient safety and assures compliance with regulatory agency standards.
• Maintains evidence‑based clinical practice consistent with nursing policies, procedures, and standards.
• Provides care based on age‑specific needs of the patient population (young adults to geriatric).
• Adheres to the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (ANA, 2015) in all aspects of professional practice.
• Complies with accepted standards of professional nursing practice that are evidence‑based and consistent with policy and procedures determined by DFCI and with all licensure/registration requirements applicable to the nursing role.
• Promotes a culture of inclusion and fosters an environment sensitive to the needs of diverse populations, including culture, ethnicity, gender, and age.
• Identifies areas for professional growth and formulates professional goals, objectives, and methods for accomplishing these.
• Participates in shared governance, serving as a representative on Nursing and Institute committees.
• Supports research activities within Nursing and Patient Care Services and the Institute.
• Meets all annual evaluation requirements and competencies within the established time period.
• Pursues active membership in local and national professional organizations.
• Participates in…