Oncology Nurse Navigator

JOB SUMMARY:  Independently plans and provides professional navigation assessment and patient/family education and facilitates ongoing coordination of care for the cancer patient who is in active treatment. Provides nursing services to patients and families in accordance with the scope of the RN as defined by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Directs and leads other assigned team members and collaborates with multidisciplinary team members to provide age/developmentally appropriate care in accordance with nursing standards of care and practice. 

Collaborates with physicians, medical professionals and other staff to ensure the quality of care given. Provides navigation for the adolescent, adult or geriatric patient (as defined in the unit scope of care).  Plans, implements and measures navigation needs for the designated cancer patient population.  Responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating and if necessary, delegating patient navigation services to a specified group of patients.  Utilizes knowledge of the principles of growth and development appropriate to the patient’s age to ensure that care provided meets the unique, physical and psychosocial needs of the patient.  Involves appropriate parties (i.e. patient’s family or guardian, outside agencies) in the assessment, treatment and continuing care of the patient as needed.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:  Graduation from accredited School of Nursing with a BSN required. Two years of oncology nursing required.  Patient navigation experience/certification preferred. Additional specialized training and/or certifications in assigned specialty area are required.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, and/or REGISTRATION:  Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of North Carolina and Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) required. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Coordinates communication between multidisciplinary team, patient navigators and other healthcare providers, patient and family members. Provides patient/family centered care, acting as partner and adviser, assists and supports patients and families to manage the cancer care, respecting culture and values, individual needs, health goals and treatment preferences.
2. Applies critical reasoning and astute clinical judgment in order to expedite appropriate care and treatment. Collaborates with the health care team, patient, and family in planning patient care to facilitate patient care/outcomes as designated on the interdisciplinary plan of care.
3. Facilitates continuity of care using the nursing process, multidisciplinary collaboration, and coordination of appropriate health care services and community resources across the care continuum. Interacts with patients during face-to-face encounters or through a variety of telecommunication strategies, often establishing long-term relationships. Provides the cancer patient and family with education, advocacy and resource support throughout the continuum of care.
4. Focuses on patient safety and quality by applying appropriate nursing interventions, such as identifying and clarifying patient needs, conducting health education, promoting patient advocacy, coordinating nursing and other health services, assisting the patient to navigate the health care system, and evaluating patient outcomes. 
5. Documents patient care encounters and communication with healthcare team members as it relates to patient care needs and outcomes. Collaborates with Survivorship Program to facilitate patient transition into survivorship care, including maintenance and completion of the Survivorship Care Plan documentation.

Applies the provisions of the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses for professional obligations and the patients entrusted to their care. Demonstrates self-directed learning through completion of any orientation requirements, nursing certification/updates and continuing education programs. Participates in own professional development by maintaining required competencies, identifying learning needs and seeking appropriate assistance or educational offerings.  Demonstrates the ability to function in a professional setting through active participation in a professional practice model.  Includes participating in shared governance, adherence to standards of care, participation in peer review and professional development promoting leadership and clinical excellence, effective team skills,