Nurse Navigator (RN) - Surgical Specialists (Breast Center)

Glens Falls Hospital • City of Glens Falls, NY

8h • $75,883 - $112,265

About The Position

The Nurse Navigator works on a multidisciplinary team as an advocate, educator, and counselor for patients requiring surgical care, including patients with breast cancer. The role provides expert nursing care through direct clinical practice, consultation, education, and research, helping ensure patients receive comprehensive services based on best practices and national guidelines. The Nurse Navigator coordinates care from diagnosis through survivorship in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team and serves as a clinical resource and liaison within the facility and community.

The position supports patients and families with emotional and educational needs, coordinates follow-up for abnormal screening and diagnostic exams, provides biopsy education, assists during interventional procedures, and coordinates timely surgical care. It also participates in patient and community education, quality improvement, professional development, and program development. The role requires a current New York State Registered Professional Nurse license and BLS certification; Oncology Nursing Society certification is required within two years.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of medical/surgical experience.
• Experience demonstrating increasing accountability, advanced clinical decision-making, patient education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and leadership in professional nursing practice, equivalent to the Professional Nurse Advancement Program Proficient Level (III).
• Current New York State license and registration to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse (RN).
• BLS certification.
• Oncology Nursing Society specialty certification required within 2 years.
• Knowledge of how to assess a patient’s ability to understand a diagnosis and plan, and ability to adapt communication to education level, coping skills, reading ability, hearing, and language barriers.
• Flexibility, creativity, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Mature sensitivity to individuals and families adjusting to cancer or a surgical experience.
• Ability to collaborate with physicians and staff at various levels.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Five years of medical/surgical experience preferred.
• One year of oncology nursing experience preferred.
• BSN preferred.
• AONN certification recommended.
• Training in BSE and CBE preferred, depending on focus area; training will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Provide emotional and educational support to patients and families newly diagnosed with cancer or requiring surgery, including pre-treatment or procedure education.
• Advocate for and navigate patients through phases of care by providing support and education, applying best practices and national guidelines, participating in interdisciplinary rounds, and coordinating care for identified patients.
• Coordinate follow-up for abnormal screening and diagnostic exams, including communication with ordering providers, patient explanations, and scheduling follow-up exams.
• Educate patients about biopsy procedures, review patient histories, and coordinate needs with providers, such as stopping contraindicated medications and ordering or scheduling lab work or infusions.
• Communicate patients’ medical and emotional needs to the radiologist and surgeon performing procedures.
• Assist during interventional procedures by supporting patients’ emotional and physical needs, assessing and monitoring vital signs, intervening as needed, providing site care and bandaging, and conducting follow-up site checks and support.
• Coordinate scheduling with surgeons to promote timely interventions and good patient outcomes.
• Facilitate transition to the Oncology Education and Support Services Nurse Navigator for cancer care services as needed.
• Collaborate with radiologists, technologists, surgeons, nursing staff, and support staff to provide patient-centered care.
• Participate in support groups and patient education and support programs with the interdisciplinary team.
• Participate in community outreach and education regarding breast health and surgical services.
• Participate in quality improvement activities for breast and surgical services and collaborate to promote consistent, high-quality service delivery across settings.
• Maintain knowledge and skills through self-development and regular continuing education.
• Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of Oncology Education and Support Services programs, guidelines, and procedures.

Benefits

• Glens Falls Hospital offers competitive benefits to active full-time and part-time employees working at least 30 hours per week; details are provided on the career page.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed