The Helen F. Graham Cancer Center located on ChristianaCare's Newark, DE campus is actively searching for a Nurse Navigator to manage the care of at-risk cancer patients and their families through collaboration with the multi-disciplinary care team utilizing appropriate clinical guidelines.
The Nurse Navigator provides/coordinates quality patient care throughout the healthcare continuum.
Duties Include:
Coordination of Care
Completes a comprehensive assessment of the patient upon initial encounter and periodically throughout navigation, matching unmet needs with appropriate services and referrals and support services, such as dietitians, social work, genetic counselor, and financial services to maintain healthy lifestyle choices and self-care strategies.
Identifies potential and realized barriers to care (e.g., transportation, childcare, elder care, housing, language, culture, literacy, role disparity, psychosocial, employment, financial, insurance) and facilitates referrals.
Uses approved assessment tools (eg. insight distress thermometer, pain scale, fatigue scale, performance status) for identifying plan of care for the patient and providing referrals as needed.
Schedules or facilitates scheduling of appointments, diagnostic testing, and procedures to expedite the plan of care timely follow-up to promote continuity of care.
Facilitates individualized holistic care considering functional status, cultural traditions/beliefs / needs, health literacy, psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients, family and caregiver.
Uses NCCN clinical guidelines (e.g., National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American Society of Clinical Oncology) and other specialty resources (e.g., ONS Putting Evidence Into Practice resources) to provide patient center care and population health.
Provides psychosocial support to and facilitates appropriate referrals for patients, families, and caregivers, especially during periods of high emotional stress and anxiety.
Supports a smooth transition of patients from active treatment into survivorship or end-of-life care.
Uses an ethical framework regarding patient care to assist patients with cancer with issues related to treatment goals, advance directives, palliative care, and end of life concerns.
Documents all patient encounters and services provides in the approved databases. (Powerchart)
Applies basic knowledge of insurance process (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, third-party payers) and their impact on staging, referrals, and patient care decision toward establishing appropriate referrals, as needed.
Monitors progress in achieving defined patient specific, clinical outcomes through performance improvement activities and outcomes.
Education:
Assesses patient and family learning needs to identify barriers to education (e.g., literacy, language, cultural influences, comorbidities)
Utilizes "Teach Back method for patient education.
Collaborates with multidisciplinary team to develop patients' clinical treatment plan.
Educates the patient/family/caregiver: diagnosis, treatment options, side effect management, post treatment and survivorship.
Assists patient/family with appropriate information to make an informed decision.
Links patient and family to clinical trials information through the research nurses.
Communication
Facilitates communication among the multidisciplinary cancer care team to prevent fragmented or delayed care.
Acts as a liaison and advocate between the patients, families, caregivers and health care providers to promote and optimize patient outcomes.
Empowers patients and families through education and encouragement to self-advocate and communicate their needs.
Adheres to established regulations concerning patient information and privacy.
Professional Role
Contributes to ONN program development, implementation, and evaluation within the healthcare system and community.
Maintains required credentials and participates in learning to stay current with disease specific cancer information and issues related to cancer care, insurance, ethical issues.
Contributes to the knowledge base of the healthcare community and in support of the ONN role through activities such as involvement in professional organizations, presentations, publications, and research.
Participates in system committees such as magnet, cancer, nursing council, safety, cultural competency/diversity, patient education, professional nursing council.
Is a Mentor for students and other members of the team,
Obtains or develops oncology-related education materials for patients, staff, and community members as appropriate.
Collaborates with the cancer committee / administration on quality improvement and performance improvement activities utilizing tumor registry data, community needs assessments and other data sources.
Collaborates and partners with local agencies and cancer groups who assist with cancer patient care, support, or educational needs.
Works with health improvement team to implement and evaluate new processes of care determined by the team utilizing pathways, guidelines and algorithms.
Qualifications:
BSN required.
Two or more years of combined clinical experience in oncology care or case management preferred.
Oncology Certification (OCN) preferred or obtainment of Oncology specific contact hours per Commission of Cancer Standard requirements.
Delaware and Pennsylvania RN licensure required.
BLS certification required.
Qualified candidates should apply online and attach a current resume for consideration.
