Patient Care Navigator

Essential Job Functions

• Supports and models behaviors consistent with the missionand philosophy of Billings Clinic and department/service.
• Facilitates the coordination of patient care services toassure excellence in patient care and patient flow; includes coordinating care,treatment and communication among the medical team
• Follows patient through the care continuum/experience,eliminating operational (such as scheduling, test results, etc.) barriers toservices.
• Works closely with other healthcare disciplines to ensuretimely appointments, results reporting, financial need referrals,communication, patient care and follow-up
• Coordination of care: The oncology nurse navigator willreceive referral for cancer patients from outside providers, departments in theBillings Clinic and faxed referrals.
• The nurse navigator will then start the process ofobtaining records if applicable. This includes but not limited to providernotes, labs, pathology report, imaging report and imaging.
• After patient records are obtained in a prompt matter; thenurse will start the process of scheduling the patient with proper provider andmultidisciplinary team in the clinic. The nurse will notify cancer researchteam of patient.
• The nurse navigator will contact the patient/caregiverwithin one business day of scheduling patient.
• The navigator will supply education on the rationale ofthe multidisciplinary team/appointments and need for further imaging ortesting. Location, date, and time will be provided to the patient.
• Appointment notification will be mailed to home address,along with navigator business card. The navigator will explain the role andsupply contact information to the patient/caregivers.
• The nurse navigators will attend patient first consult inmedical and radiation oncology. Navigation may be present in multidisciplinaryappointments inside the Billings Clinic.
• Nurse navigation schedule further appointments, imaging,lab draw, etc. as directed by providers.
• These appointments will be communicated to thepatient/caregiver's day of and or within one business day.
• Nurse navigation will notify/schedule patient withsupplementary appointments, such as symptom management team, oncology socialworkers, physical therapists, dietician, breast boutique, financial counselors,oral oncology pharmacist, site specific and/or general tumor board.
• When patient presents for the first consults the nursenavigator will provide patient/family with Billings Clinic Cancer Centerresources, contact numbers for staff, education resources on cancer, staging,treatment from reputable sources. (NCCN, ACOS, ACS)
• The nurse navigator will supply education to the patient.Navigation will assess patient education needs by assessing barriers to care(literacy, language, cultural influences, and comorbidities). Resources will beoffered such as web, printed materials, and verbal education.
• The nurse navigator will supply and reinforce education tothe patient, families, and caregivers about diagnosis, treatment, posttreatment care and survivorship. (Treatment summary when applicable.)
• The nurse navigator will schedule patient for their firsttreatment, they will provide calendars to the patient and review times, dates,and providers with them to expedite the plan of care and continuity of care.
• The nurse navigator will schedule patients for follow upin the cancer center when actively navigating patient.
• The nurse navigator will provide anticipatory guidance andmanage expectations to aid patient/caregivers/families in coping with cancerdiagnosis, potential or expected outcomes.
• The nurse navigator will support a smooth transition ofpatients from active/initial treatment into survivorship, chronic cancermanagement or end of life care.
• Facilitates the development, implementation and adherenceto clinical and evidenced based guidelines, as appropriate, to ensure optimalclinical outcomes
• Ensures follow-up on identified patient clinical andnon-clinical care, facilitating communication and compliance to care plans(i.e., medication reconciliation, follow-up on care concerns/criticalvalues/core measures, patient care conferences, etc.) Ensures follow up hasoccurred regarding patient clinical and non clinical care to include adherenceto plans of care, resource utilization, and general progress utilizing careconferences as necessary.
• Works in collaboration with the medical team to developand implement clinical guidelines. Facilitates the adherence of the guidelinesthrough regular evaluation and auditing of clinical practice.
• Ensures follow-up in the outpatient setting on identifiedpatient clinical and non-clinical care, facilitating communication andcompliance to care plans (i.e., medication reconciliation, follow-up on careconcerns/critical values/core measures, patient care conferences, etc.)
• Demonstrates expertise in educational and resourcingservices
• Participates in educational activities related topatient/community, clinical operation and process issues on an ongoing basis
• Collaborates with other health care providers indeveloping, implementing and evaluating educational materials for patients andtheir families
• Facilitates intra-departmental relationships in an effortto provide necessary resources to and for the patient.
• Interfaces with other members/disciplines within thehealthcare teams for appropriate referrals/services
• Aware of and assists with financial needs of the patients.
• Identify and access appropriate social services, includingresources to assist caregivers to support treatment
• Contributes to an environment of quality and processimprovement
• Ensures accurate and timely data collection and entry intopatient database as indicated by department guidelines
• Directs and coordinates identified quality assessment andimprovement activities to assure quality patient services are monthly providedthrough audits and reviews other identified evaluation tools
• Ensures patient care activities for the departmentservices are monitored monthly through audits and reviews
• Ensures and enhances facility, safety, and regulatoryoutcomes
• Complies with all applicable laws, regulations andaccrediting agencies
• Complies with all Billings Clinic policies
• Works in collaboration with Leadership team to ensuredepartmental goals and objectives are met.
• Contributes to community activities sponsored by theCancer Center
• Develops patient referral services byrelationship-building strategies with physicians not related to the department.
• Performs other duties as assigned or needed to meet theneeds of the department/organization.
• Works as an active team member and effective communicator
• Demonstrates effective internal and external communicationstrategies, written and verbal, to assure a collaborative environment
• Ensures appropriate and timely documentation in the EHR
• Demonstrates a productive work ethic
• Works consistently as an active team player, inter-andintra-departmentally
• Identifies needs and sets goals for own growth anddevelopment; meets all mandatory organizational and departmental requirements.
• Maintains competency in all organizational, departmentaland outside agency environmental, employee or patient safety standards relevantto job performance.
• Assists Mammography provider throughout imaging guidancebreast biopsy procedures.Remove this line.
• Identification and assistance for patients in potentialbenefit for genetic testing evaluation.
• Organization and record maintenance of appropriate recordneeds required for accreditation purposes.
• Performs other duties as assigned or needed to meet theneeds of the department/organization.
• Additional Duties for Breast Diagnostics
• Facilitates the coordination of patient care services toassure excellence in patient care and patient flow.
• Follows patient from abnormal mammogram through diagnosis.
• Provides seamless patient flow from abnormal mammogram todiagnosis and referral to breast Patient Care Navigator
• Facilitates breast biopsy scheduling
• Facilitates breast biopsy education
• Facilitates the development, implementation and adherenceto clinical and research guidelines, as appropriate, to ensure optimal clinicaloutcomes
• Ensures that each patient scheduled for a screeningmammogram has had a clinical breast exam within acceptable time frame.
• Demonstrates expertise in educational and resourcingservices
• Facilitates relationship between physicians, vendors,departments and the breast multidisciplinary program
• Interfaces with finance and breast imaging services tomeet the financial needs of the patients
• Additional Duties for Regional Navigator
• Collaborate with local individuals, agencies andorganizations to facilitate the increased availability of community-based careservices.
• Facilitates research participation opportunities.
• Facilitates increased utilization of telemedicine inconnecting rural patients and providers to Billings Clinic resources.
• Coordinate opportunities to increase prevention awarenessand offer early-detection screening programs in outreach areas.
• Develop and implement regional care protocols, resultingin reduced time to problem resolution and improved quality of care.
• Interfaces with local and outreach providers in addressingcare navigation concerns.
• Identifies community support services in underserved andfrontier areas and facilitates utilization of these services.
• Advocates for the individual and collective needs ofpatients in rural and frontier areas.
• Facilitates relationship-building between physicians,agencies, and organizations.
• Interfaces with physicians, agencies, and organizations tomeet the medical, social, and financial needs of patients.

Minimum Qualifications
Education

Minimum Other Graduate of an accredited school of nursing,
Minimum 4 Year / Bachelors Degree Bachelors degree in nursing within 4 years of hire

Experience

Two (2) years clinical practice experience, 5 years of service line experience preferred
One (1) year demonstrated computer experience dealing with word processing and data management

Certifications and Licenses

Current Montana/Wyoming RN license At hire

Healthcare Provider CPR certification At hire

Other Minimum Qualifications 

• Education: Oncology nurse navigator will have a bachelor's degree or higher in nursing. They will obtain CE’s yearly in disease site-via webinars, conferences, etc. Will present education to community/and or staff members about their cancer site. Will attend site specific tumor board/general tumor board meetings. They will be prepared to answer questions about patient-psychosocial, pathology, treatment plan.

• Professional role: The oncology nurse navigator is not an entry level role. Strong oncology background in cancer care and patient care is recommended. Novice oncology nurse navigator must receive training in pathophysiology, diagnostic testing, staging and general cancer education. The navigator will shadow other oncology nurse navigator and members of the cancer team. Hours spent with oncologist, NP/PA, dietician, research RN (Registered Nurse), genetic counselor, social worker, symptom management team, radiation oncologist, rad tech. They will spend hours with disease site team members such as GI, ENT, surgeon

• Obtain OCN cert within 2 years of hire.

Billings Clinic is a “best” place to work because if its people. The collegial atmosphere, teamwork, pride in care, and numerous opportunities to grow both personally and professionally help keep our amazing employees here caring for patients.  State of the art facilities and advanced technology gives the health care professionals the tools to provide advanced health care in a healing environment.

• 2019 Billings Chamber of Commerce Employer of the Year
• 2019 Becker’s 50 Best U.S. Companies to work For
• 2019 Women’s Choice Award for America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Experience
• LivAbility “One of the Top 25 Best Places to Live in America
• 2016 Outside Magazine’s America’s Best Town

Employees have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of each other and our patients, making this a truly meaningful place to work. The organization also offers employees the opportunity to engage in numerous councils and educational opportunities leading to career growth and involvement in decision making and important initiatives. Beyond giving great care, employees’ ideas and insights are valued at every level of the organization.

At Billings Clinic, it is important to celebrate milestones and ensure that employees feel valued. Recognitions such as the DAISY or BEE Awards, Years of Service and the employee recognition program give everyone the opportunity to show encouragement toward team members who go the extra mile.

Billings Clinic offers excellent benefits and salaries, education assistance, paid time off, and learning plans for career growth. The combination of excellent benefits, strength of the organization and meaningful work make Billings Clinic one of the best places to spend a career in health care.

Billings, Montana is a friendly college community located near the magnificent Rocky Mountains with great exciting outdoor recreation just minutes from home.  Billings has great parks, trails, public lands, thriving restaurants, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and abundant events and family activities.

• BeWell-An employee wellness program with initiatives and resources around Health, Finance, Personal Growth, and Community.  Programs include free blood screenings, flu shots, biometric screenings, health assessment, incentives such as insurance premium discounts for participation.
• Medical-Billings Clinic offers a comprehensive self-insured health plan, including a traditional PPO plan and an HSA plan. The benefit is available to full or part time employees. 
• Pharmacy-Our medical plan includes prescription benefit coverage and prescriptions can be filled at the Atrium Pharmacy on our campus with a mailing service available to employees who reside outside of Billings. 
• Dental-Preventive and Comprehensive plans include preventive and major dental services such as fillings, extractions, bridgework, dentures and crowns.  
• Vision-A vision plan is available; which covers a routine eye exam and provides an allowance for the purchase of frames, lenses or contact lenses.
• Flexible Spending Accounts-We offer two types of spending accounts: health care and dependent care. Both allow you to pay certain expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• HSA Savings Accounts-We offer an HSA savings accounts and an employer contribution for full time employees.

• Short Term Disability/Medical Leave-Billings Clinic provides a short term disability medical plan which provides employees with days to use in the event of an extended illness or injury.

• Paid Time Off-Billings Clinic recognizes an employee's need to balance work and family life. Billings Clinic provides a paid time off benefit which affords employees the opportunity to have time off with pay. 
• Retirement Plans-Billings Clinic provides a defined contribution pension plan and a 403(b) tax deferred savings plan with matching contributions. These plans offer employees the opportunity to save for their retirement years with a variety of investment options available.
• Flexible Spending Accounts-We offer two types of spending accounts: health care and dependent care. Both allow you to pay certain expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• HSA Savings Accounts-We offer an HSA savings accounts and an employer contribution for full time employees.

• Tuition reimbursement and/or assistance programs are available for certain positions.

• Employee Crisis Fund-Provides limited financial assistance to Billings Clinic employees who need immediate aid. 

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)-Billings Clinic recognizes that mental well-being is connected to physical health. We offer employees and their eligible dependents, at no cost, four sessions of mental health related services through our confidential EAP program.
• Billings Clinic Parent Network (BCPN)-A unique group to support the employees who also wear the hat of “parent”.  The group meets monthly to discuss the challenges of being a working parent and provides encouragement and support.
• Cafeteria and Commons Café-meal subsidies
• Bicycle-friendly business-Bronze award winner by the League of American Bicyclists
• Tuition reimbursement and/or assistance programs are available for certain positions.
• Leadership training
• Employee recognition programs such as the Bee Award for outstanding team members, Daisy Award for nursing excellence, Great-Catch Award (safety), Years of Service award, YAG awards.  Several employee recognition events throughout the year such as the food truck outdoor event, hot cocoa bar event, etc. to promote fun and employee recognition.
• Free or discounted tickets to local entertainment and sporting events
• Club Billings Clinic offers employees discounts at numerous local businesses and service providers
• Lactation facilities for new mothers.
• 360-degree performance reviews
• Our organization promotes sustainable or “green” practices.
• Identity Theft Protection and Emergency Travel Assistance
• Business education, continuing education credit assistance
• Formal career development and job advancement programs
• Actively supports community service initiatives, e.g. United Day of Caring, Saturday Live, etc.
• Flexible scheduling and telecommuting options for certain positions to accommodate work/life balance
• "Casual Fridays"-ability to wear work appropriate jeans to work (for non-clinical employees)
• Workplace facilities to promote exercise
• Promotes walking trails both inside and around the campus