Summary: 

An Oncology Nurse Navigator is a professional registered nurse with oncology-specific clinical knowledge who offers individualized assistance to patients, families, and caregivers to help overcome healthcare system barriers.  Using the nursing process, an oncology nurse navigator provides education and resources to facilitate informed decision-making and timely access to quality health and psychosocial care throughout all phases of the cancer continuum. (Oncology Nursing Society, 2013

The Oncology Nurse Navigator collaborates with other departments within the organization, staff, providers, and outside entities to ensure timely management of benign and malignant diseases using evidence-based protocols and nationally endorsed guidelines.

Job Responsibilities: 

1)  Completes a comprehensive patient and family assessment to identify physical, psychosocial, educational, and functional needs to eliminate barriers to timely care.  Considers the patient's social determinants of health when establishing and implementing a plan of care.

2)  Educates and coach the patient and family/support person to achieve optimal outcomes. Supports participation in shared decision-making to whatever degree the patient defines as acceptable.  Empowers patients to work as a partner with the healthcare team

3) Facilitates and monitors the timeliness of scheduling for testing and treatment appointments, supporting the patient/family/loved ones' flow through the system, and providing education and practical intervention. Track order completion and follow-up.

4) Develops, coordinates, and implements a goal-directed interdisciplinary plan of care for each patient/family that addresses and removes healthcare barriers and meets the needs and expectations of both the patient and physicians. Advocates with and on behalf of patients, survivors, families, and caregivers to address their needs and goals.

5) Follows all protocols, processes, and workflows put into place to ensure optimal patient care and compliance.  This includes assessments, interventions, and outcomes, triaging clinical calls, messages, and patient care needs while ensuring documentation is timely and accurate.

6) Adheres to evidence-based clinic practice guidelines and pathways and participates in the collection and analysis of patient outcome data to optimize patient and organizational outcomes.

7)  Communicates the care plan effectively to ensure timeliness and continuity at each phase of care. Promotes an interactive relationship that keeps communications open among patients, family, nurse, and physicians.

8) Participates in community outreach activities to increase screening and prevention awareness as appropriate.

9) Provides direct patient nursing care for specified patients, including wound care and dressing changes, drain education and removal per practice-specific nursing guidelines and protocols, and appropriate supportive care.

10) Actively participates in quality measurement, performance improvement, and outcomes measurement to continuously enhance patient/family care and experiences.

11) Collects and reports data on barriers to care and assists patients with referrals to outside resources and care coordination as needed. 

12) Prepares for, assesses, and provides support to address the survivorship care needs of cancer patients.

13) Maintains point of contact with providers and serves as the first point of contact for patients and families.

14) Participates in the orientation, training, and evaluation of new staff.  Coordinates and implements clinical validations for medical assistants.  Helps to design or participate in the creation of health education materials

15) Will attend and refer patients to the tumor board in collaboration with the physician.

16) Maintains a standardized core set of competencies including coordination of care, communication, education, and professional role

17) Seeks professional development to ensure up-to-date practice knowledge and integrates evidence and research into professional practice.

18) Actively participates in triaging the clinical pool messages for both the surgeon and APP patient calls. Assists to the best of their ability to address inquiries or properly tee up information to the provider for their review and input. 

Required Experience

3 years of oncology and/or surgical nursing experience

experience working on an interdisciplinary team

performance improvement/quality assurance

Preferred Experience

None listed

Skills/Competencies

Strong interpersonal communication, patient/family-centered focus, ability to work with minimal supervision, critical thinking skills, the ability to prioritize and work in a fluid environment, and the ability to multitask.

Oncology Certified Nurse Certification required within 2 years of hire

Note: The compensation range(s) in the table below represent the base salaries for all positions at a given grade across the health system. Typically, a new hire can expect a starting salary somewhere in the lower part of the range. Actual salaries may vary by position and will be determined based on the candidate's relevant experience. No employee will be paid below the minimum of the range. Pay ranges are listed as hourly for non-exempt employees and based on assumed full time commitment for exempt employees.

Minimum - Midpoint - Maximum

Baystate Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.