Oncology Navigator RN - OLOL

FMOLHS•Baton Rouge, LA

11d

About The Position

The Oncology Navigator - RN serves as an expert oncology population specific clinician, patient/client advocate and assists cancer/oncology patients/families to navigate the complex health care system in an organized, effective and efficient manner. This position will assist with the standardization and efficiency of care for patients in the cancer service line throughout the continuum of patient care. The Oncology Navigator - RN models patient-centered care and assumes leadership responsibilities with high level contributions in direct patient interaction, the department, the service line, and across the institution.

Requirements

2 years overall nursing experience
Active RN license in Louisiana

Nice To Haves

Experience as nurse navigator, and/or patient educator preferred
Oncology experience preferred
Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) preferred
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members, caregivers, and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.
Demonstrates an effective community resource knowledge base and the judgment/ability to effectively select and coordinate available resources, including referrals to regulatory agencies.
Displays professionalism, remains composed under stress, and takes responsibility for delivering on personal and organizational commitments.

Responsibilities

Coordinates all aspects of patient care and development related to the cancer service line. Facilitates entry of patients into the oncology program and assists with coordination of care through personalized interaction. Follows the population-specific patient throughout the continuum of care and into survivorship.
Educates the patient and caregiver on disease-specific guidelines and treatment options to enable patient-led treatment decisions. Educates and/or facilitates patient and caregiver on introduction to program, clinical trial information, resource referrals, and genetic counseling.
Develops informational/educational resources and programs related to cancer program services, teaching nursing care principles, advanced technical knowledge, and provides formal education to groups outside the unit.
Coach and assist patients to remove barriers related to insurance coverage, transportation, child care, finances, language, etc. so they can focus on their treatment plan.
After identifying pt./family barriers to medical and psychosocial needs through distress screening provides interventions and/or introduces and make referrals to appropriate support services.
Implements risk assessments and monitors healthcare pathways with multidisciplinary teams and intervenes when necessary to improve timeliness of care. Actively participates in a wide range of performance improvement activities by recommending and leading improvements in patient safety-related processes at unit or cancer service line level. Ensures appropriate data is collected and submitted to appropriate databases for service lines supported.
Serves as a clinical resource for complex and/or highly specialized patient care situations to patient care providers and other health care professionals within the hospital and in the community. Demonstrates highly developed assessment, clinical, documentation, and analytical skills; integrates and contributes to professional practice standards, policies, procedures, protocols.
Coordinate key points of contact with the patient, caregiver and family as outlined on the navigation process map.
Reinforce education with pt./families regarding disease, treatments, side effects and adverse reactions, and reportable signs/symptoms based on the physician’s plan of care.
To utilize navigation evidence-based tools for assessing patient, family and/or caregiver needs. (i.e. distress screening).
To develop in conjunction with navigation team support groups and education programs for the patient, their families and/ or caregivers.
To function in the role of advocate for the patient, family and/or caregiver.
Develops strong relationships with physicians, their office staff, and healthcare providers to ensure effective communication in patient care. Serves as a liaison between ancillary departments, clinical specialists, primary care physicians and patients to ensure efficient patient flow for cancer service line patients.
Builds and maintains relationship with community organizations to help coordinate support services for patients. Educates patients, caregivers, staff and community on available support services.
Attend disease specific Multi-Disciplinary Meetings (MDMs) and/or other meetings as necessary, providing appropriate patient navigation program updates and metrics as requested.
Ensure appropriate patient data is available and patients are appropriately documented upon, including identification of appropriate clinical research study options.
Participates at multidisciplinary center meetings and provides updates on the navigation program.
To participate in the multidisciplinary tumor conference and provide updates and feedback on navigated patients.