Oncology Nurse Navigator

Overview

Oncology Nurse Navigator navigates patients and families through the Cancer Service Line and other pertinent clinical services.

 

Responsibilities

• Adheres to the standards identified in the Medical Center's Organizational Competencies.
• Attends and participates in Tumor Board meetings. Interacts with physicians regarding results of cancer screenings, diagnostic tests, mammograms, colonoscopies, etc.), biopsies and treatment plans.
• Attends and participates in appropriate American College of Surgeons' accreditation meetings. 
• In collaboration with the Oncology Team, coordinates the care of cancer patients including assisting with the completion of an individualized needs assessment and care development plan for patients to address physical, psychosocial, spiritual and social needs:
  • i. Serves as a patient advocate
  • ii. Serves as a facilitator for collaboration with multidisciplinary health team members
  • iii. Focuses on patient satisfaction including timely testing and treatments; actively seeks ways to improve patient flow
  • iv. Ensures follow-up with appropriate resources as identifies
• Maintains current knowledge and skills in the Cancer Service Line.
• Facilitates access of care to patients by educating and assisting patients in securing future needed appointments, recommending supportive programs available within the cancer program to enhance the patient's wellness and ability to live life as best as possible, embraces and promotes survivorship programs aimed at improving the daily life and coping skills of patients and caregivers.
• Identifies the needs of the patient population served and modifies and delivers care that is specific to those needs (i.e., age, culture, language, hearing and/or visually impaired, etc.). This process includes communicating with the patient and/or primary caregiver(s) at their level (developmental/age, educational, literacy, etc.).
• During initial interactions and phone triage, identifies problems and helps develop evidence-based guidelines/solutions to meet desired measurable outcomes and documents care/findings as per policy. Documents patient and physician interactions in the electronic medical record, including education related encounters.
• Maintains a communication system which ensures comprehensive and timely transmission of information to physicians, nursing staff, and the multidisciplinary team.
• Monitors patient progress to ensure patient outcomes are achieved and maintained based on established standards of care.
• Participates in continuous process improvement efforts to improve patient outcomes, assures appropriate utilization of resources and supports efforts to improve patient satisfaction.
• Supports revision of the plan of care as per the physician and staff and initiates teaching/education with the oncology patient and their significant other(s)/caregivers to support/meet desired outcomes and documents appropriately.
• Works with cancer services team to train and educate staff regarding the importance of patient navigation. Helps develop and grow the Navigation program and develops skills and roles among all staff members to assist in the navigation process. Aligns with oncology navigator staff from Atlantic Health in the further development of the navigator program at CSMC.
• Affirms the patient's right to make decisions regarding his/her medical care including the decision to discontinue treatment. 
• Demonstrates skills and knowledge necessary to assure guidance and education is appropriate to the age and cognitive level of the patients.
• Respects the rights and personal dignity of the patients and recognizes that each patient is an individual with unique health care needs.
• Recognize and accept the cultural diversity of patient and healthcare providers, and its effects on patient care.
• Analyzes artificial intelligence based on information to manage care for patients with incidental findings on radiology studies.
• Review, maintain, and follow-up daily on work queue,

 

Qualifications

• BSN required
• Minimum 3 years experience as a registered nurse with oncology related experience required
• Current valid NJ State Registered Nurse license
• Oncology certification within two years of hire required

About Us

CentraState Healthcare System, a partner of Atlantic Health System, is a fully accredited, not-for-profit, community-based health system that provides comprehensive health services in the central New Jersey region. In addition to offering a full range of leading-edge diagnostic and treatment options, CentraState serves as a valuable health partner focused on the latest ways to prevent disease, promote healthy behaviors, and h