Patient Navigator

Employee Type: Regular Work Shift: Day - 8 hour shift (United States of America) Join Team Tidelands and help people live better lives through better health Position Summary: The goal of the Tidelands Health’s Cancer Center Patient Navigator (PN) is to navigate newly diagnosed cancer patients from the surrounding communities to receive timely, patient-centered care at the TH Cancer Center Network. The PN will engage patients, create a trusting relationship, navigate patients to their TH Cancer Center appointments, and closely communicate with a patient’s entire care team based on clearly outlined goals and identified patient needs. The PN will aid patients in the coordination and completion of appointments inside the TH Cancer Center and help decrease barriers to timely cancer care and treatment and to increase access to high quality cancer care for underserved patients. As it is extremely important to identify and address supportive care needs starting at cancer diagnosis, the PN will be assisting in administering supportive care services surveys to all assigned patients, which will help inform the navigator about the patients’ symptom burden, illness perception, financial distress, and self-efficacy and direct future navigation and care coordination efforts. The navigator’s interventions might include education, appointment reminders, help with insurance, transportation, navigating the Cancer Center, assisting in finding appropriate childcare, interpreting, connecting the patient to psychosocial and/or palliative care teams, and directing the patient to appointments. The PN will incorporate 1) screening for a history of severe mental illness and risk factors for disruptions in cancer care at cancer diagnosis, 2) screening and monitoring for distress, and 3) streamlining referral/early consultation of social work, psychiatry, and palliative care. The PN will be a patient liaison with oncology and primary care team ensuring open lines of communication between the two teams. The PN will also be involved in other activities that are related to this program, as needed. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Indicate key areas of responsibility, major job duties, special projects and key objectives for this position. These items should be evaluated throughout the year and included in the written annual evaluation. • Contact patients over the phone prior to first appointment to introduce and provide consistent contact calls to assure patients’ comfort • Work with patients, providers, and TH Cancer Center care team to set goals for patient’s care and document. • Provide navigation for patients by addressing any logistic barriers, scheduling complications, childcare needs, etc., that would prevent a patient from showing up at their appointment. • Address any relevant insurance concerns or issues by connecting patients with appropriate financial resources and team members. • Assist patient in connecting with necessary supportive care services, psychosocial and palliative care, and social work. • Provide education about care plan, anticipated side effects and cancer clinical trials and when appropriate, assist patient in connecting with care team about available services and resources to support participation. • Provide culturally sensitive services to patients from different cultures. • Maintain regular communication with the patient’s providers through EMR notes messages via emails, phone calls and case review meetings. • Refer to internal or external case management services when other issues are identified (i.e. hunger issues, domestic violence issues, etc.) • Provide advocacy, patient education and support in accessing community-based and hospital-based programs. • Document every intervention into the appropriate electronic medical record • Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with the schedulers of oncology appointments and related services. • Work with medical interpreters to reach patients of other languages. • Produce mid-year and end of the year reports on program activities compiling data from databases and writing up case examples. • Be involved in evaluation and research activities in the program as needed. Qualifications Education: Associate’s degree in nursing required. BSN preferred. Experience: At least (5) years of hospital nursing experience, outpatient preferred At least two (2) years of professional experience in an oncology or outpatient infusion setting required 2 year of previous chemotherapy experience required Previous patient navigation experience preferred Previous experience working with culturally diverse populations required. Possess strong working knowledge of Oncology Programs Strong understanding of community resources for oncology patients and assisting with referrals Demonstrated commitment to impacting the care of high risk patients Knowledge of complex patient issues preferred Able to establish strong working relationships within the medical community required. Experience with specialty pharmacy’s Licensure/Certification: Current RN license with South Carolina LLR in good standing required. Certified Oncology Nurse Required (OCN) required or must become OCN credentialed within 18 months of hire date. BSN Preferred American Heart Association Healthcare provider course with Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required to be initially completed with the GHS Staff Development Office within 30 calendar days of hire date (exceptions to obtain certification from a provider other than the GHS Staff Development Office are approved by Staff development on a case by case basis). BLS Recertification is required every two years. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Ability to remains composed under stress, handles self in professional manner at all times and takes personal responsibility for delivering on personal and organizational commitments. Must be able to respond to changing circumstances and priorities in a focused manner. Must be able to work independently with minimum direction. Demonstration of proficient communication skills, both oral and written. Demonstration of basic PC skills and knowledge of Windows and Microsoft office programs. Must be able to coordinate and implement multiple responsibilities, projects and priorities. Ability to utilize available technology to perform position responsibilities. Ability to manage resources effectively and efficiently. Applies and follows Georgetown Hospital System policies and procedures. Other: Valid South Carolina drivers license and has access to personal transportation in order to travel from various GHS work locations throughout the week. Physical Requirements: Light Physical Agility Test Rating (PAT) While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently (activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) required to stand, sit, and walk; frequently to use hands, fingers; and frequently to talk or hear. The employee must exert 15 to 20 pounds of force occasionally (activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time), and/or 5 to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 5 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job and will be measured by Physical Agility Test Rating. Tidelands Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). Tidelands Health does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, gender, genetic information, familial status, or any other legally protected status.