Oncology Nurse Navigator Role 

       As the oncology nurse navigator here at BASS, your purpose is to be a link between cancer patients and their healthcare team, with the intention to support the cancer care process and contribute to providing a positive patient experience. The  key responsibilities include:

1. Patient education: Explaining      diagnoses, treatment options, and side effects
2. Care coordination: Assist with      tracking patient diagnostic and treatment process; facilitating      communication between specialists and ancillary providers. 
3. Emotional support: Providing      counseling referrals and connecting patients with support services
4. Barrier identification:      Addressing obstacles to care, such as transportation or financial issues
5. Treatment monitoring: Tracking      patient progress and supporting patients in the successful completion of      treatment recommendations. 
6. Resource provision: Offering      information on community resources and support groups
7. Advocacy: Ensuring patients'      needs and preferences are communicated to the healthcare team and their      caregivers.
8. Patient identification and      retention: Working with other providers to identify patients who will      potentially receive treatment at the cancer center and guiding them to our      providers and services. 

Oncology Nurse Navigator Role 

1. Day-to-Day Tasks and Responsibilities

• Conduct initial      patient assessments of patient needs
• Attend huddles and      multidisciplinary patient consultations 
• Update and maintain      patient records
• Collaborate with      multidisciplinary teams
• Respond to patient      inquiries via phone or email
• Participate in quality      improvement initiatives

2. Patient Education

• Explain cancer      diagnoses using easy-to-understand language
• Discuss treatment      options, including potential risks and benefits
• Educating on side      effect management and self-care strategies
• Provide information on      clinical trials when appropriate
• Teach patients how to      navigate the healthcare system effectively

3. Care Coordination

• Assist in coordination      of appointments across various specialties
• Ensure smooth      transitions between different phases of care
• Facilitate      communication between primary care physicians, oncologists, surgeons, and      other specialists
• Assist in coordination      of necessary diagnostic tests and follow-ups

4. Emotional Support

• Provide one-on-one      counseling and referrals to patients and families
• Offer guidance on      coping strategies for dealing with cancer diagnosis and treatment
• Facilitate support      group contact or connect patients with existing groups
• Provide resources for      managing stress, anxiety, and depression
• Offer end-of-life care      discussions and support when necessary

5. Barrier Identification and Resolution

• Assess patients for      potential barriers to care (e.g., financial, transportation, cultural,      linguistic) and provide appropriate referrals
• Assist in coordination      of transportation services or provide information on available options

6. Treatment Monitoring

• Track patient progress      throughout the treatment journey
• Monitor for      treatment-related side effects and complications
• Coordinate with the      healthcare team to adjust care plans as needed
• Ensure patients are      adhering to treatment regimens
• Facilitate symptom      management through education and referrals

7. Resource Provision

• Maintain an up-to-date      database of community resources
• Provide information on      support services (e.g., nutrition counseling, physical therapy, pain      management)
• Offer guidance on      complementary therapies and integrative medicine options
• Provide educational      materials tailored to each patient's needs and preferences

8. Patient Advocacy

• Represent patient      interests and preferences in multidisciplinary team meetings
• Ensure patients      understand their rights and treatment options
• Facilitate shared      decision-making between patients and healthcare providers
• Address any concerns      or complaints patients may have about their care

EDUCATION / TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED 

- High School or GED

- Graduation from an accredited school of nursing as a   Registered Nurse.

- Knowledge and experience with case management of acute   and complex patients.

- Ability to make independent judgments based on clinical   knowledge and experience required in planning for short, immediate, and   long-term goals and options.

- BSN Degree 

- Possession of a current California RN license. 

- CPR Certification. 

PREFERRED

- Knowledge of care/services provided in differing levels   of care, i.e., ambulatory, and institutional settings, community-based   resources, SNF, Home Health, Hospice, and Palliative Care.

- Analytical skills to identify and obtain pertinent data   from multiple sources and work with culturally diverse patients and families   with multiple needs or disabilities.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk   or working on a computer. 

• Prolonged periods of standing and   bending. 

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds   at times.

Hourly Range -   $80 - $97