NURSE NAVIGATOR

Covenant Health•Lenoir City, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Imaging Nurse Navigator provides clinical support, treatment access, education, and coordination of patient centered care to benefit the patient, family, and multidisciplinary physicians while helping achieve optimal outcomes for the patients in both the Oncology and Radiology settings.

Requirements

Minimum of three (3) years of RN experience.
Must have and maintain a valid Tennessee RN License.
Oncology and/or Certified Radiology Nurse or must be working toward obtaining the OCN/CRN within three (3) years of employment.

Responsibilities

Serves as the essential link between patients and other care providers to provide resources and assistance with accessing clinical and supportive care services offered within the healthcare system and community.
Explains special procedures to patients and their families including risk, complications, and expected outcomes. Serves as the primary patient advocate and helps the patient and family make informed medical decisions for special procedures. Decreases anxiety of the patient and family regarding procedures and increases coping mechanisms and communication skills between the Imaging staff and patient.
Assists patients in understanding their diagnosis, treatment options, and resources available, including educating eligible patients, appropriate clinical trials, genetic counseling, or fertility preservation.
Obtains medical, surgical, and psychosocial history on all patients, pertinent to the patient’s care and procedures.
Implements approved protocols and/or physician orders related to pre-procedure anticoagulantion.
Aids in coordination of care between various healthcare providers and facilities; facilitates patient appointments including labs, diagnostic area, and specialty physicians.
Educates patients about their disease, prescribed treatment, Imaging procedures, side effects of treatment, and how to manage them and assists them in making informed decision.
Responsible for access, management, and troubleshooting of Venous Access Devices (Port-A-Caths/Picc Lines) and their use and limitation within the Oncology/Imaging departments.
Initiates Venipuncture IV Therapy and lab draws prior to Imaging exams. Interprets lab values and reports abnormal results to the Oncologist/Radiologist and/or other Physician prior to the Imaging exam or procedure.
Serves as an expert on risk management and prevention of Contrast Induced Nephropathy. Works with radiologists and/or physicians to determine the best Imaging alternatives for those high risk patients aiding in decreasing potential damage to a patient’s renal function following contrast administration.
Serves as an expert on pre-screening at risk patients for possible contrast allergies. Possesses experience in responding and managing all radiologic emergencies and their interventions.
Assists radiologists with special procedures, knowledge of sterile technique, prepping and draping, infection control principles and practices, positioning patient for optimal comfort, radiation protection, and procedural needs.
Provides procedural conscious sedation and reversal agents under the guidance of a credentialed radiologist. Monitors patients during and after special procedures.
Provides patient education as well as accurate and completed discharge instructions for Imaging exams and procedures.
Evaluates and monitors quality metrics and reports finding to appropriate committees.
Adheres to Covenant’s Standard of Behavior and promotes teamwork and innovation. Engages peers in process improvement, change, management, and fiscal stewardship.
Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
Performs other duties as assigned.