Diagnostic/Referral Navigator assists with an oncology patient's diagnostic workup and referrals. Upon initial diagnosis, the Diagnostic/Referral Navigator assess the need for appropriate referrals, access to resources, education, and support. Services are designed to support timely delivery of quality standard cancer care. Navigators promote communication between the patient and health care providers, eliminate barriers to care, and ensure timely delivery of services.
- Provides education to patients, families, providers, caregivers, multidisciplinary colleagues and the community about cancer and the role of the oncology nurse navigator
- Provides support for patients upon initial diagnosis or thereafter as needed
- Acts as a liaison among the patient, family, caregivers, and healthcare team
- Educates and assess patients' understanding of the disease process and treatment options required for informed decisions
- Provides comprehensive documentation of patient encounters, education and referrals
- Provides and reinforce education and referrals
- Provides oncology-related education materials
- Discusses physician visits with patients and families to assess understanding, interpret information as needed, and answer questions
- Attends community health fairs and screenings; provides community education presentations as appropriate
- Facilitates/participates/attends support groups and family/patient center programs, as appropriate
- Contacts provider offices to establish check and balance of referrals
- Meets with patient by phone or in person "within designated time" following "designated event" and follow patient per navigator- or facility- specific guidelines
- Facilitate and coordinate timely care coordination
- Facilitates keeping care in the system by identifying opportunities to retain diagnostic testing, radiation oncology services, etc.
- Communicates with ancillary departments to define and resolve specific problem areas and ensure timely delivery of patient care, including but not limited to diagnostic workup and referrals.
- Coordinates and schedules appointments with providers to ensure timely delivery of diagnostic services and referrals
- Assists in selecting patients to be presented at Tumor Board and gather necessary patient information to present patient to physicians for discussion
- Provides telephone triage services (e.g. symptom management, emotional support, education, resource referral) for patients/families
- Obtain referrals that are needed, explaining the referral process and facilitating scheduling appointments with external healthcare providers.
- Works closely with other healthcare disciplines to coordinate care and ensure timely appointments, result reporting, financial need and other referrals, communication, patient care and follow-up
- Maintains an active role in disease specific Tumor Conferences, including follow up on recommendations
- Assesses & identify patients' needs and make appropriate referrals based on patient's needs, which may include case managers, social workers, registered dietitians, financial assistants, genetic counselors, chaplains, counselors, psychologists/psychiatrists, PT/OT, speech, home care, hospice, palliative care, interpreters, multi-disciplinary conferences (tumor board), support groups, lymphedema clinic, oncology rehabilitation, survivorship clinic
- In conjunction with the Department Manager, Navigators are responsible for systematically, and continually performing the functions of assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care according to the nursing process and the standards of accrediting bodies.
- Performs data entry and prepares reports for Manager to monitor program outcomes
- Demonstrates problem solving skills and a win/win attitude
- Participates in tracking and monitoring metrics and outcomes
- Actively participate in tumor boards, interdisciplinary meetings, cancer committee and other meetings
- Reports navigation program outcomes to key stakeholders, including but not limited to multidisciplinary teams, cancer committee, etc.
- Collaborates with other navigators internally & externally to share best practices and increase patient resources
- Ensures timely and appropriate documentation of all patient interactions into navigation tracking and documentation system and any databases to keep patient record up-to-date
- Identifies, implements and measures quality and process
