RN - Cancer Care Coordinator

RN - Cancer Care Coordinator
1.0 FTE, 80 hours per pay period
Hours scheduled between 7:30 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday

Position Overview:

The role of the Cancer Coordinator/Patient Navigator is to coordinate the patient experience at Winona Health Services which involves developing and sustaining systems to ensure seamless care for patients. Provides educational and support resources, coordinates cancer-related activities for Winona Health Services, works with providers and staff, and patients to assure that patients use the services Winona Health has to offer while also assisting patients with decisions regarding where to seek care that is not provided by Winona Health Services. Serves as the primary point of contact for patients diagnosed with cancer and at-risk populations for cancer in our region. Improves access to cancer screenings by assessing the current system and identifying and eliminating barriers.

The RN is responsible for the care of clinic patients.  The RN is skilled in all aspects of nursing process, delegates and supervises staff in assistive roles on the same shift and is responsible to deliver the highest of customer service standards for patients and families presenting for services at Winona Health. The RN will assess and triage patients to make certain of the appropriateness of care. Will provide patient care including but not limited to rooming of patients, performing assessments and gathering of data, interpretation of assessments, implementation of therapeutic interventions, and evaluation of those interventions. Patient information will be entered into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).  Direct patient care will include but is not limited to taking vital signs, intravenous therapy/medication administration, assisting with treatments, monitoring of patients, scheduling and coordination of care for referral to specialty care and general assistance to the provider as needed. Other responsibilities include but are not limited to assisting with procedures.  Must be able to assist at all Winona Health Clinic locations if necessary.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Personally guides patients through the health care system by assisting with access to all services available, including financial resources.
• Offers emotional support to cancer patients and their families throughout all phases of care including but not limited to diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and surveillance.
• Develops and utilizes a tracking system for interventions and outcomes.
• Develops and promotes educational outreach in regard to resources available for patients. Acts as the Winona Health Services contact person for the American Cancer Society.
• Develops expertise and relationships with available resources in our community and region.
• Guides the patient through the health care system.
• Initiates communication with the patient upon learning they have a suspicious test results or positive findings.
• Assists the patient as needed to assure they arrive at scheduled appointments on time and well prepared.
• Acts as a laison between the patient and providers. Arranges any necessary transportation. 
• Contacts hospice care when/if needed. Coordinates insurance verification and/or other financial arrangements. 
• Connects patients to community and social support services with appropriate follow-up.
• Provides one-on-one assistance to the patient to ensure that the patient's medical, psychological, and social needs are met.
• Facilitates interaction and communication between health care staff and providers both onsite and offsite.
• Develops methods for identifying patients at risk for under-utilization of health care services and identifies strategies for reaching them.
• Develops patient education materials specific for patients diagnosed with cancer.
• Works closely with Infusion Services and covers patient care needs for that department as needed.
• Ensuring nursing supplies and medications are properly ordered and available.
• Proficiency for laboratory tests as required, drawing samples via access devices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• 2- or 4-year nursing degree.
• CPR Certification.
• RN License - MN.
• Responsible for care of oncology and infusion patients in the clinic setting including case management .
• Knowledge of patient diagnoses, the chemotherapeutic and biotherapeutic agents and other cancer treatment agents used in caring for patients.
• Knowledge of the regimens and schedules for medications that are administered.
• Knowledge of all safety requirements to handle and administer these agents.
• Knowledge of appropriate labs needed for each type of treatment and how to interpret and act on them.
• Ability to access/flush ports and care for pediatric to geriatric patients
• Knowledge of risks and benefits of treatment modalities and requirement to provide education to the patient and family.
• The ability to work comfortably with computers and various computer programs; the ability to communicate clearly in oral and written communications;
• Confident in leading and interacting with teams and groups of people; highly compassionate and caring; excellent history of interpersonal skills; ability to become an expert in community resources and organizational structure.
• Basic computer skills.   Outlook. Excel. Patient information database (Cerner, EMR, Cancer Registry Database, Cancer Survivorship Plans). 

Nonessential Skills and Experience:

• Oncology Nursing Society Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Certificate required within 1 year.
• Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Oncology Nursing Certification (ONC), or ABSNC accredited certification for Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) through the Infusion Nurse Society (INS) or other certification approved and recognized by the Commission on Cancer standards required within 2 years.

Summary of Benefits at Winona Health:

At Winona Health, we are dedicated to offering a comprehensive and affordable benefits package for our employees and their families. While benefits may vary based on employment classification and job status, the following key benefits are available: 

Health Insurance: Options for medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as mental health support and wellness incentives 
Income Protection: Short and long-term disability, plus additional benefits like accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, legal assistance, and identity protection plans
Retirement Planning: Access to a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions once eligibility requirements are met
Work/Life Balance: Flexible scheduling, paid time off, and earned sick time to support personal well-being 
Education & Development: Paid training, tuition reimbursement, scholarships, and sponsored seminars to foster both personal and professional growth 
Employee Discounts: Special offers with local businesses, including the YMCA and cell phone providers

For more details or specific information, visit our website or contact Human Resources

Internal Applicant Policy:

It is the policy of Winona Health to work with employees in an equitable fashion regarding promotions, transfers, and position reclassifications.
 
Any employee wishing to apply for another available position at Winona Health must submit an application for consideration through the internal application portal. Employees requesting to change positions should have successfully completed at least six (6) months in their current position. Employees currently in the formal disciplinary process may be required to meet with the Director of Human Resources to determine eligibility to request transfer. The employee’s past performance, experience, training and qualifications will be considered in transfer/hiring decisions. Consideration for transfer or promotion is not a guarantee of transfer or promotion. Employees may be given a chance to interview for a position when they meet the minimum position qualifications.

Disclaimer:

Winona Health is an equal opportunity employer. Winona Health does not refuse to hire, discharge, or discriminate against a person with respect to tenure, compensation, terms, upgrading, conditions, facilities, or privileges of employment because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, membership in a local discrimination commission, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other prohibited basis of discrimination under applicable local, state, or federal law. Winona Health does not tolerate retaliation against any employee, patient/resident, physician, or other individuals pursuing concerns regarding Civil Rights issues. Winona Health adheres to ALL pertinent governmental policies and legislation including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII, as amended, and the Minnesota Human Rights Act.