JOB SUMMARY The Oncology Nurse Navigator serves as an expert oncology population specific clinician, patient/client advocate and assists cancer/oncology patients/families to navigate the complex health care system in an organized, effective and efficient manner. This position will assist with the standardization and efficiency of care for patients in the cancer service line throughout the continuum of patient care. The Oncology Nurse Navigator models patient-centered care and assumes leadership responsibilities with high level contributions in direct patient interaction, the department, the service line, and across the institution. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, leading survivorship activities, participating in nursing initiatives such as Pathway to Excellence/Magnet, assessing service line needs related to practice and improvement opportunities, coordinating program education and serving as a clinical resource for both program and hospital staff.
Requirements:
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.
PEOPLE - 20 %
Develops strong relationships with physicians, their office staff, and healthcare providers to ensure effective communication in patient care. Serves as a liaison between ancillary departments, clinical specialists, primary care physicians and patients to ensure efficient patient flow for cancer service line patients. Work with the Business Development staff to coordinate relationships with external/ referring physicians for the program. (EF)
Builds and maintains relationship with community organizations to help coordinate support services for patients. Educates patients, caregivers, staff and community on available support services.
Teaches others to critically think by verbally expressing rationale for decisions and following up by coaching and critiquing colleagues' thought processes in complex situations. Communicates in an active, positive and effective manner to all health care team members; mentors other staff in effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication. Creates a climate free of fear by communicating and questioning, encouraging and supporting others to do the same. (EF)
SERVICE - 30 %
Coordinates all aspects of patient care and development related to the cancer service line. Facilitates entry of patients into the oncology program and assists with coordination of care through personalized interaction. Follows the population-specific patient throughout the continuum of care and into survivorship. (EF)
Educates the patient and caregiver on disease-specific guidelines and treatment options to enable patient-led treatment decisions. Educates and/or facilitates patient and caregiver on introduction to program, clinical trial information, resource referrals, and genetic counseling. (EF)
Develops and updates plan of care in partnership with the patient and caregiver; mentors others regarding specialty populations; audits plan of care. (EF)
Develops informational/educational resources and programs related to cancer program services, teaching nursing care principles, advanced technical knowledge, and provides formal education to groups outside the unit. (EF)
Advocates for patients and caregivers in preventing/resolving clinical or ethical issues; develops supportive unit practices and guidelines. (EF)
QUALITY/SAFETY - 20 %
Fosters survivorship by developing treatment summary and plans of care, education to patient and caregiver on follow up schedule and communication to healthcare team. Assist with maintaining follow up schedule and address late and long-term effects through continual needs assessments. (EF)
Implements risk assessments and monitors healthcare pathways with multidisciplinary teams and intervenes when necessary to improve timeliness of care. Actively participates in a wide range of performance improvement activities by recommending and leading improvements in patient safety-related processes at unit or cancer service line level. Ensures appropriate data is collected and submitted to appropriate databases for service lines supported. (EF)
Serves as a clinical resource for complex and/or highly specialized patient care situations to patient care providers and other health care professionals within the hospital and in the community. Demonstrates highly developed assessment, clinical, documentation, and analytical skills; integrates and contributes to professional practice standards, policies, procedures, protocols. (EF)
FINANCE - 10 %
Contributes to oversight of grant funding for community outreach initiatives; participates in decisions impacting operational and capital needs. (EF)
Makes referrals to financial navigators/business office financial counselors to assist patients needing financial support. (EF)
GROWTH/INNOVATION - 20 %
Identifies, presents and leads areas for improvement in patient care or program operations and works in collaboration with teams to provide solutions by participating in program projects and shared governance activities. Reads and leads critique of evidence-based practice literature in nursing and related disciplines.
Participates in identifying needs, planning and implementing educational programs within the cancer service line for hospital health care providers, patients, families and/or community groups. Develops, facilitates and participates with others in the development and presentation of health care provider and community educational programs in the cancer service line. (EF)
Maintains personal professional development through organization membership. Publishes evidence-based research findings and/or presents findings at a national meeting. Attends/participates in continuing education activities to ensure current knowledge in the practicing specialty. (EF)
This job description is not intended to be all inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
Qualifications:
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree in nursing; Master's degree preferred
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
3 years RN experience in the related acute care setting
Strong psychosocial assessment and clinical skills
Leadership or Coordinator experience preferred
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED
Texas RN license or temporary TX RN license, should obtain permanent license within 90 days. Compact license acceptable according to current Board of Nursing requirements.
American Heart Association BLS
Magnet-recognized certification in applicable specialty area or Oncology Nursing Society recognized certification, i.e. Oncology, Navigation or Case Management
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security.
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members, caregivers, and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.
Demonstrates an effective community resource knowledge base and the judgment/ability to effectively select and coordinate available resources, including referrals to regulatory agencies.
Possesses knowledge of health care financial and payer issues, and eligibility for state, local and federal programs.
Embodies the behaviors associated with the Leadership, Art and Science of Nursing (identified in Duties and Responsibilities) at the Proficient level according to Benner's model of clinical practice.
Competencies, skills, training as listed in Policy NU-903, "Competence of Nursing Staff" and HR 07 "Competency Assessment"
Displays professionalism, remains composed under stress, and takes responsibility for delivering on personal and organizational commitments.
Able to work independently; possess organization/time management and prioritization skills.
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Work Attire
Yes/No
Uniform
No
Scrubs
Yes
Business professional
Yes
Other (dept approved)
No
On-Call*
Yes, on a limited basis (for Exempt jobs only)
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Event, etc) regardless of selection above.
Travel**
May require travel within
Yes
Houston Metropolitan area
May require travel outside
No
of Houston Metropolitan area
**Travel specifications may vary by department.
Please note any other special considerations to this job: __________________________
Company Profile:
Based in the Texas Medical Center, Houston Methodist Hospital is delivering on a mission started in 1919, which continues today - bringing quality, integrity, compassion and innovation into everything we do. As the flagship hospital of Houston Methodist, Houston Methodist Hospital is a nationally recognized medical center with a history of health care innovation. Houston Methodist Hospital was awarded Magnet recognition for nursing excellence for a fourth consecutive time by the ANCC. In addition, Houston Methodist Hospital was recently named by U.S. News & World Report as one of the country's top 20 hospitals and was also ranked the No. 1 hospital in Texas for the fifth consecutive year.
