Cancer Navigator RN

Coordinate patient care in collaboration with physicians and the broader care delivery team across the continuum of care. Assess patients' current and future needs across a broad spectrum of medical, psychosocial and financial aspects and make referrals to internal and external resources as appropriate. Serve as the primary point of contact between Cancer Resource Center resources and patients. Provide nursing care and guidance to the cancer patient from first contact and throughout follow-up through the care continuum, serving as an essential link between patients and all other care providers, eliminating operational barriers to service, and working closely with other health care disciplines to ensure timely appointments, results reporting, financial need referrals, communication, patient care and follow-up.

Develop effective physician/cancer care team relationships. Communicate and collaborate with involved physicians and staff members to facilitate individualized, holistic patient care plan. Facilitate communication between cancer care disciplines surgical, medical, radiation oncology, pathology, radiology, other medical and surgical subspecialties. Maintain communication with patients, survivors, families, and the health care providers to monitor patient satisfaction with the cancer care experience.

Provide patient and family education. Discuss physician visits with patients and families and assists to answer questions, in collaboration with treating physicians. Reinforce education and instruction from physicians and other members of the care team. Provide anticipatory guidance related to the cancer journey for patients and families. Answer questions from the patient/family pertaining to treatment, disease process, etc. and provide education on various diagnostic and treatment procedures to be done. Augment prescribed treatment plans as outlined by physicians on the case. Consult with physician regarding hospice, home health, palliative care, social service, nutritional and other support for patients.

Document all patient coordination activities, education, and other interactions in designated inpatient and outpatient electronic health record systems to assure a timely, complete patient record and effective communication with other members of the care delivery team. Assist with tracking, documentation and outcome reporting for navigation services. Coordinate patient and family healthy living/survivorship programming and support groups for designated disease sites. Collaborate with other members of the care delivery team to develop and lead programming, including YMCA HLC Cancer Education Series, for individuals and groups on topics of prevention, detection, treatment, and strategies for dealing with the disease and with life in survivorship.

Coordinate completion of treatment summaries and survivorship care plans for designated disease sites. Effectively utilize information system tools for creation and delivery of these summaries/plans to patients and other members of the care delivery team. Assist physician moderators and MDC coordinator to facilitate multidisciplinary care conferences for designated disease sites. Active participant on the multidisciplinary care team and conferences, providing specific patient care information pertinent to the patient, follow up on patient care recommendations after the multidisciplinary conferences, and when necessary, facilitate the multidisciplinary conference. Plan and coordinate community screening activities and other community outreach/educational activities. Conduct health promotion and awareness programs and presentations in community as appropriate. Serve as a resource for and attend community health fairs and screenings.

Serve as a liaison with community advocacy groups to promote Mercy Cancer Center. Represent Mercy Cancer Center in committees and activities of these groups. Assist with quality improvement efforts for designated disease sites. Provide staff education. Support clinical research activity and accrual of patients to clinical research. Collaborate with clinical research nurses, facilitating patient referrals for potential clinical trial candidates, communicate patient care needs and schedule with the clinical trial nurse if patient accepted into a trial, negotiate patient care and teaching responsibilities with the clinical trial nurse when the patient is on a clinical trial. Serve as a role model and mentor in promoting navigation concepts to Mercy Cancer Center, Mercy Medical Center, Mercy Health Network, general community, long term care facilities, and various clinics.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Registered nurse with valid license in State of Iowa required. Bachelor's degree in healthcare field or actively pursuing. Must complete one class per semester. Twelve months of cancer related work experience required. Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter abuse training specific to population served within three (3) months of hire. Excellent communication skills. Presentation skills with small and large groups, including mix of both public and professional audience. Valid Driver's License required, must meet Mercy's Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, must be at least 18 years of age and be eligible to drive per Iowa state law. May require travel to affiliate hospitals.