Overview

The Nurse Navigator identifies patient needs and priorities for care through assessment, planning and delegating care based on patient needs. Executes diagnostic and therapeutic physician orders. Evaluates the patient’s response to care and the attainment of or progress towards patient outcomes. Coordinates care between other professional disciplines as needed. Helps patients and/or staff identify problems and explores with them the alternative choices and outcomes.

Demonstrates through behavior Decatur Morgan Hospital’s mission, vision and values.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities / Essential Functions

·         Attend the tumor board meeting.

·         Responsible for the general coordination of patients who may receive or have received a cancer diagnosis.

·         Provide continuous and comprehensive education and information to patients and families.

·         Independently perform telephone assessment using the nursing process and apply judgement and decision-making skills to coordinate a plan of care for the patient.

·         Document all telephone assessment calls according to protocol.

·         Demonstrate knowledge, skill and coordination to provide nursing care and guidance to the patient from diagnosis to survivorship.

·         Act as a liaison between the Physicians, patient and providers, answering questions at the highest level within scope of practice.

·         Works with all hospital departments (nursing, nuclear medicine, radiology, outpatient, oncology, surgery, etc.) to provide seamless care for cancer services.

·         Make referrals to appropriate supportive care services as needed.

·         Ensure that patients requesting prescriptions are handled according to protocol including documentation and delivery.

·         Follow inpatients and outpatients to anticipate schedule changes for office, test results, discharge planning and communication with other participating Physicians.

·         Contacts, explains and schedules each patient who is in need of additional testing or procedures.

·         Schedule specific procedures per Radiologists request and compliance with treatment.

·         Anticipate scheduled changes, test results and discharge planning.

·         Follow up on specific post procedures.

·         Ensure specific procedures have the proper paper work, lab values and H&P.

·         Abides by the DMH and Imaging Services Policy and Procedures.

·         Develop and adhere to a checklist for procedures.

·         Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, Experience Required: Minimum of three years clinical experience in a healthcare setting with knowledge of various aspects of cancer care preferred. BLS certification is required within 90 days of hire. Must possess excellent communication skills with the ability to work in a fast paced environment, requiring prioritizing and changing tasks frequently and quickly.

   Education: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing or other accredited allied health program; RN preferred

Experience: Minimum of three years clinical experience in a healthcare setting with knowledge of various aspects of cancer care preferred.