RN Navigator Oncology

Naples Comprehensive Health - NCH; Naples (FL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) seeks an RN Navigator Oncology to act as a clinical resource, patient advocate, educator and case coordinator for oncology patients. You will coordinate services across the continuum from referral through survivorship, collaborating with oncologists, APPs and multiple teams to address barriers and promote timely, patient-centered care.

You will support education, documentation in Epic, and coordination of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and supportive care, with a

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of oncology nursing experience.
• OCN certification within 3 years of hire.
• BLS certification required; ALS preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate navigation of oncology patients for timely consultation.
• Identify treatment-readiness barriers and escalate to clinicians.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support survivorship and transitions.
• Educate patients and families on treatment plans and side effects.
• Document navigation activities in Epic and Beacon systems.

Skills

Care coordination

Oncology nursing

Patient advocacy

Communication

EHR proficiency

Education

Associate's in Nursing

BSN preferred

Florida RN license

Tools

Epic

Beacon

MS Office

Job description

• DEPARTMENT: 16258 - Medical Oncology DNH
• LOCATION: 350 7th Street North, Naples, FL, 34102
• WORK TYPE: Full Time
• WORK SCHEDULE: Variable

About Nch

NCH is an independent, locally governed non-profit delivering premier comprehensive care. Our healthcare system is comprised of two hospitals, an alliance of 700+ physicians, and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida that offer nationally recognized, quality health care.

NCH is transforming into an Advanced Community Healthcare System(TM) and we’re proud to: Provide higher acuity care and Centers of Excellence; Offer Graduate Medical Education and fellowships; Have endowed chairs; Conduct research and participate in national clinical trials; and partner with other health market leaders, like Hospital for Special Surgery, Encompass, and ProScan.

Join our mission to help everyone live a longer, happier, healthier life. We are committed to care and believe there's always more at NCH - for you and every person we serve together. Visit nchjobs.org to learn more.

Job Summary

The RN Navigator Oncology is a registered nurse who serves as a clinical resource, patient advocate, educator, and case coordinator for patients receiving oncology services. The Oncology Nurse Navigator facilitates timely access to high-quality, patient-centered cancer care by coordinating services across the continuum, from initial referral and diagnosis through active treatment, follow-up, and survivorship. Working collaboratively with medical oncologists, advance practice providers, nursing, multidisciplinary clinical teams, and community partners, the Oncology Nurse Navigator identifies and addresses barriers to care, promotes continuity, supports treatment readiness, and enhances the overall patient and family experience.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Other duties may be assigned.

Patient Access, Navigation and Care Coordination

• Works closely with the Patient Coordinator and Procedure Coordinator on the navigation of newly referred oncology patients to facilitate timely consultation and continuity of care.
• Reviews referrals and available clinical documentation to identify missing records, studies, pathology reports and information needed for physician evaluation.
• Collaborates with referral coordinators, scheduling staff and clinicians to address access delays.
• Serves as a consistent clinical point of contact for patients and families throughout the cancer care continuum.
• Communicates treatment delays, care-plan changes and needed follow-up across teams.
• Facilitates communication among medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, imaging, pathology, palliative care and other specialties.
• Supports/coordinates multidisciplinary case discussions and follow-up on recommendations.
• Facilitates referrals to specialty services and tracks completion as appropriate.
• Collaborates with external providers and community organizations to support continuity of care.
• Facilitates coordination during transitions among inpatient, outpatient, specialty and community settings.
• Supports transition from active treatment to surveillance and survivorship.
• Facilitates survivorship care plans, education and appropriate referrals in collaboration with the team.

Clinical Assessment, Treatment Readiness and Symptom Support

• Collaborates with physicians, APPs, infusion nursing, pharmacy and scheduling teams to facilitate timely initiation of prescribed treatment.
• Coordinates completion of necessary diagnostic studies, laboratory tests, imaging and other pre-treatment requirements.
• Identifies treatment-readiness barriers and escalates concerns to responsible clinical team members.
• Facilitates care coordination for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and other prescribed systemic treatments.
• Conducts nursing assessments and evaluates patient-reported symptoms within clinical protocols and scope of practice.
• Identifies patients requiring urgent evaluation and escalates to a physician, APP or appropriate care setting as needed.
• Reinforces education on treatment-related side effects, symptom management and when to seek care.
• Supports follow-up following emergency department visits, hospitalization or treatment complications.
• Identifies patients needing additional navigation following complications or hospitalization.

Patient Education, Advocacy and Supportive Services

• Provides individualized education about diagnosis, treatment processes, expected care needs and supportive services.
• Reinforces physician and APP recommendations and clarifies next steps.
• Assesses patient and caregiver understanding and education needs.
• Adapts education to health literacy, language and cultural needs.
• Identifies financial, transportation, psychosocial, language and health literacy barriers.
• Coordinates referrals to social work, financial counseling, nutrition, behavioral health, palliative care and other supportive services.
• Partners with relevant teams to address barriers affecting appointment attendance, treatment initiation and continuity.
• Advocates for equitable, patient-centered access to care.
• Supports patient and community education as appropriate.

Documentation, Quality Improvement and Program Development

• Documents navigation assessments, interventions, communications and care-coordination activities accurately and promptly in Epic.
• Uses approved Epic oncology workflows and appropriate Beacon information to coordinate and communicate patient treatment plans.
• Maintains relevant tracking tools and communicates outstanding needs.
• Helps standardize navigation workflows consistent with organizational policies.
• Participates in evaluation and refinement of oncology navigation workflows.
• Supports tracking of referral-to-consultation time, consultation-to-treatment time, barriers to care and navigation interventions.
• Identifies opportunities to reduce delays and improve communication and patient experience.
• Participates in quality improvement and relevant oncology accreditation-readiness work.
• Contributes to standardized evidence-informed clinical navigation pathways.
• Collaborates with medical oncology leadership to develop navigation services.
• Participates in multidisciplinary meetings, staff education and relevant program initiatives.
• Maintains current knowledge of oncology treatment and supportive care.

Education, Experience And Qualifications

• Minimum of an Associate’s in Nursing degree required, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Current RN licensure in the state of Florida required.
• Minimum of 3 years of clinical nursing experience, including substantive oncology experience required.
• Obtain OCN certification within 3 years of hire.
• Must complete the following ONS Online Modules provided by NCH within 1 year of hire:
• Oncology Nurse Orientation Program
• Fundamentals of Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Administration
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
• Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification preferred from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
• Strong assessment, education, care coordination and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across disciplines.
• Ability to multi-task and be detail oriented.
• Strong communication skills – both written and verbal.
• Be an active part of the center’s team.
• Professional and reliable.
• Intermediate computer knowledge: Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Windows.
• EHR proficiency.