Oncology Nurse Navigator

SUMMARY:

The Oncology Nurse Navigator (ONN) will work collaboratively with the healthcare team to assess, plan, facilitate, track, and monitor patients with prostate, bladder and testicular cancer. The ONN works closely with the patient and family; makes appropriate referrals to meet the patient's individual, cultural and spiritual needs, and monitors and evaluates services provided. The ONN works as a liaison to and in collaboration with patients, physicians, disease management liaisons, and other healthcare providers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Implement established BUC prostate cancer protocols Continue development and improvement of cancer care protocols in collaboration with the BUC surgeons and Advanced Practice Providers as patient navigator for all prostate, bladder, and testicular cancer patients, including being the primary contact person for all BUC Cancer Care patients.
• Assist patients in understanding their diagnosis, treatment options, and the resources available, including educating eligible patients about appropriate clinical research studies and available castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) therapies.
• Develop and distribute educational materials for patient use.
• Serve as a resource for community support group collaboration, including programmatic development of BUC cancer palliative care protocols.
• Assist BUC providers and patients in acquiring and completion of enrollment forms for various CRPC therapies
• Identify benefits and coordinate resources based upon patient's needs, insurance coverage and community programs.
• Coordinate with pharmacy technician for in office dispensing pharmacy program
• Coordinate with pharmacy technician for all buy and bill oncology medication
• Coordinate and administer Provenge therapy - ensure all pre-therapy paperwork is completed, make arrangements for apheresis, ordering drug, etc.
• Follow through with patient's medication treatment plan, ensuring they have received education and medication as prescribed
• Ensure that the patient and family understand the diagnostic processes, treatment strategy and recommended care plan, and are provided with appropriate information in coordination with the physician and other health care providers.
• Respond to patient requests for information regarding the disease process, expected side effects and community resources
• Support the patient and family during difficult decision-making periods
• Serve as an essential link between patients and all other care providers.
• Facilitate appointments for consults and support services, including nutritionist, oncologist, physical therapist, etc.
• Identify barriers to the plan of care and intervene as appropriate to provide optimal patient care
• Responsible for tracking all cancer patients to ensure patients are receiving all appropriate medical care, imaging, prescription refills, referrals, etc. and continue to be engaged in their care
• Attend weekly oncology clinical research meetings - must be knowledgeable of BUC oncology clinical research protocols in order to make appropriate referrals to clinical trials as applicable
• Update DE Prostate cancer registry
• Other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

COMPETENCIES:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Technical skills. Pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.
• Customer Service. Responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service, responds to requests for service and assistance, meets commitments.
• Interpersonal skills. Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control remains open to suggestion and tries new things
• Oral communications. Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions.
• Written communications. Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork. Contributes to building a positive team spirit; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Quality Management. Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue; conserves organizational resources.
• Diversity - demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; educates others on the value of diversity; promotes harassment free environment; builds a diverse work force.
• Ethics. Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically.
• Judgment. Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; support and explains reasoning for decision; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions in scope of their duties
• Motivation. Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles.
• Professionalism. Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
• Quality. Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
• Quantity. Completes work in timely manner; works quickly.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly
• Adaptability. Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
• Attendance/punctuality. Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.
• Dependability. Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments, commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.
• Initiative. Volunteers readily; asks for and offers help when needed.
• Innovation. Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and independently. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minimum of 3 years clinical experience, preferably in oncology and/or urology
• Patient navigation experience desired

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers, employees, and/or physicians.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

COMPUTER SKILLS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of and experience on a computer in a Windows environment. Experience with but not limited to spreadsheet software, word processing software and electronic medical record systems is necessary.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Current DE RN license. OCN desirable. If not OCN certified, will attain certification within 24 months of employment
• Current Infection Control Certificate, and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior clinical or clerical experience or training helpful
• Ability to handle patients in a pleasant, efficient and professional manner
• Must have excellent communication skills
• Helpful to have knowledge of medical processes, procedures, lab and radiology tests and medications
• Suggested background in medical terminology and general office procedures

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, stand, and continuously use a computer keyboard and mouse.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate