Job Summary
The Nurse Navigator functions on the multidisciplinary team as an advocate, interpreter, educator, and counselor for oncology patients. Is responsible for ensuring all adult patients with an oncology diagnosis receive quality and comprehensive services, including coordinating patient care throughout the continuum in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. The Nurse Navigator will serve as a clinical resource with expertise in oncology care management and will serve as a liaison throughout the facility and in the community regarding services provided for this unique patient population and will provide expert nursing care, which includes: direct clinical practice, consultation and education.
Duties & Responsibilities
1. Demonstrates the knowledge, skill, and coordination to provide nursing care and guidance to the cancer patient from screening to survivorship. Systematically and continually performs the functions of assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the care according to the nursing process and Oncology Nursing Society Standards of Practice.
2. Provides education and information to the patients and their family, helping to make the care seamless, continuous and comprehensive. Initiates and documents patient teaching including family and significant others based on assessment of needs, including psychosocial, and lifestyle practices.
3. Responds to patient request for information regarding the disease process, expected side effects of treatment and community resources. Uses appropriate patient Education documentation modality.
4. Supports the patient during difficult decision-making periods. Assists in coordination of end of life care for patient and family and provides emotional support.
5. Functions in an organized and time conscious manner. The Navigator partners with patients, families, interdisciplinary team, and community resources to provide well-coordinated, timely, compassionate, exemplary, interdisciplinary care and communicates with all members of the healthcare team, as appropriate about patient/family needs and concerns.
6. Initiates and performs ongoing review of policies related to service provided and when appropriate, updates or writes new policies to enhance professional practice.
7. Serves as a resource for community educational events, such as health fairs, screenings, symposiums, and lectures as well as support for staff education.
8. Preserves and protects patient rights to confidentiality.
9. Performs other related duties as requested or directed.
Requirements
Bachelor of Science in Nursing required with at least 5 years of nursing experience, in Oncology. Nurse Navigator experience required. Must have and maintain current licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Rhode Island and CPR certification. Oncology Nursing Society certification required. Nurse Navigation Certification Preferred and/or obtained within 6 months of hire.
