OverviewOncology Nurse Navigators provide resources, support, assessments, referrals, education, care coordination and general guidance throughout the cancer care continuum. They help people "navigate" through the maze of doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals outpatient centers, insurance and payment systems, patient-support organizations and other components of the health care system. Services are designed to support timely delivery of quality standard cancer care and ensure that patients, survivors and families are satisfied with their encounters with the cancer care system. Navigators promote communication between the patient and health care providers, eliminate barriers to care, and ensure timely delivery of services. Once a patient is in the navigation system, it is the navigator's responsibility to monitor that patient through the continuum from screening to survivorship. QualificationsLicense/Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) within 30 days - American Heart Association (AHA); Licensed Registered Professional Nurse (RN) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)Education: Bachelor's Degree; Nursing DiplomaOther Knowledge/Skills: ResponsibilitiesNavigators provide education and support to patients, caregivers, families, healthcare professionals, communities, etc.Provides education to patients, families, providers, caregivers, multidisciplinary colleagues and the community about cancer and the role of the oncology nurse navigatorServes as primary contact and advocate for patientsProvides support for patients across the cancer continuumActs as a liaison among the patient, family, caregivers, and healthcare teamPractices evidence-based processes including use of clinical guidelines and specialty resourcesEducates and assess patients’ understanding of the disease process and treatment options required for informed decisionsAssists patients with their treatment goalsProvides comprehensive documentation of patient encounters, education and referralsProvides and reinforce education in all phases of cancer continuum including, but not limited to: treatment, care plan, symptom management and survivorship concernsEducates and reinforce the issue of adherence to the treatment planDevelops oncology-related education materialsPossesses clinical trial awareness and promote trial types and requirements, and engage with research team as appropriateUnderstands criteria for molecular testing and genetic counselingMaintains current trends and evidence through lifelong learning with continuing education and evidence-based practiceDiscusses physician visits with patients and families to assess understanding, interpret information as needed, and answer questionsContributes to the knowledge base of the healthcare community through involvement in professional organizations, presentations, publications and researchEmpowers patients with education and knowledge to help improve patient outcomes and satisfactionAttends community health fairs and screenings; provides community education presentations as appropriateFacilitates/participates/attends support groups and family/patient center programs, as appropriateProvides patient information on available services, community resources, and/or support groups.Contacts provider offices to establish check and balance of referralsPossesses a basic understanding of insurance (co-pays, deductibles, co-insurance)Contacts patient at diagnosis, high stress points, pre- and post-surgery, time of initiation of therapy and any other flag touch pointMeets 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 throughout the cancer continuum in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.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 diagnosis and treatmentContacts patient at diagnosis, high stress points, pre- and post-surgery, time of initiation of therapy and any other flag touch pointCoordinates and schedules appointments with providers to ensure timely delivery of diagnostic services, treatment services, and appropriate survivorship or hospice/palliative careAccompanies patients to appointments (particularly if there are multiple barriers to care) and/or providing clarification and literacy-level-appropriate education related to the visitAssists with the post-treatment transition to survivorship clinic and/or primary careCollaborates & communicates frequently and consistently with providers & other appropriate healthcare team members, ensuring seamless plan of care and follow-up careEnsures timely delivery of test results to patient by a care team memberAssists in selecting patients to be presented at Tumor Board and gather necessary patient information to present patient to physicians for discussionProvides telephone triage services (e.g. symptom management, emotional support, education, resource referral) for patients/familiesFacilitates communication with patients, survivors, families and the health care providers to monitor patient satisfaction with the cancer care experienceEnsures patient adherence with treatment planGets referrals that are needed, explaining the referral process and facilitating scheduling appointments with surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and other necessary services as appropriateFollows patient through the care continuum/experience, eliminating operational barriers (such as scheduling, test results, etc.) as well as other barriers to cancer servicesWorks closely with other healthcare disciplines to coordinate care and ensure timely appointments, result reporting, financial need and other referrals, communication, patient care and follow-upMaintains an active role in disease specific Tumor Conferences, including follow up on recommendationsProvides comprehensive documentation of patient’s diagnostic testing, treatments, and referralsWorks with a variety of diverse and complex patients, families and both internal and external health care providers.Assures that the patient is connected to prevention services upon completion of active cancer treatment and into survivorship
Nurse navigators utilize appropriate screening and assessment tools to make referrals that are appropriate for each individual patient based on their needs.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 clinicAssesses for, identify, and assist in mitigating barriers to care and make appropriate referralsUtilizes appropriate screening and assessment tools (e.g., distress screening, etc.)Maintains/uses a comprehensive database of local, regional and national resourcesUnderstands resources available to patients experiencing financial hardships and/or are uninsured/underinsuredAssists patients with access concerns (for screening, diagnosis or treatment) and assists with paperwork and addressing access barriers as indicated.Provides appropriate resources in a timely manner to meet patient’s specific needs, local and national resource list in binder.Facilitates individualized care based on culture, health literacy, ethics, psychosocial needs, etc.Assists patients with advance directives, palliative care and end-of-life concerns
In conjunction with the Department Director, 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 Director to monitor program outcomesDemonstrates problem solving skills and a win/win attitudeParticipates in tracking and monitoring metrics and outcomesActively participate in tumor boards, interdisciplinary meetings, cancer committee and other meetingsReports 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 resourcesEnsures timely and appropriate documentation of all patient interactions into navigation tracking and documentation system and any databases to keep patient record up-to-dateAssists with ongoing navigation program assessment and identification of process improvement opportunitiesDevelops action plans for improvement, as necessaryIdentifies, implements and measures quality and process improvement initiativesDocuments non-compliance of patientsPursues continuing education opportunities related to oncology and navigationPerforms job duties and functions in an organized and time conscious mannerPartners with patients, families, the interdisciplinary team and community resources to provide well-coordinated, timely, compassionate, exemplary, interdisciplinary careForms recommendations and develops action plans that address options for improving careEvaluates own practice related to job specific performance expectationsIdentifies, implements, and monitors multiple QI initiatives to demonstrate program improvement and financial contribution and cost savings services of navigation (ie compliance to plan of care)Maintains disease site dashboard at least monthlyIdentifies and implement opportunities to improve patient satisfactionDemonstrates a productive work ethic, ensuring the delivery of efficient & effective carePerforms the functions of assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating the care delivered according to the nursing process and Oncology Nursing Society Standards of PracticeDevelops collaborative relationships both internally and externallyExhibits customer service skills, leadership skills, takes initiative and is self-directed, cultural sensitivity/language skills, patient triage skills, nursing theory and practice knowledge and skills, problem-solving skills, and advocacy skillsEnsures that navigator functions are meeting physician expectations and that navigator activities remain within scope of defined rolePerforms environmental scanning for innovations and changes in industry About UsFind it here.Discover the job, the career, the purpose you were meant for. The supportive and inclusive team where you can thrive. The place where growth meets balance – and opportunities meet flexibility. Find it all at Carle Health.Based in Urbana, IL, Carle Health is a healthcare system with nearly 16,600 team members in its eight hospitals, physician groups and a variety of healthcare businesses. Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center hold Magnet® designations, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care. The system includes Methodist College and Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based medical school, and Health Alliance. We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Carle Health participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. | For more information: . Compensation and BenefitsThe compensation range for this position is $26.94per hour - $44.99per hour. This represents a good faith minimum and maximum range for the role at the time of posting by Carle Health. The actual compensation offered a candidate will be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, qualifications, location, training, licenses, shifts worked and compensation model.
Carle Health offers a comprehensive benefits package for team members and providers. To learn more visit careers.carlehealth.org/benefits.