What are the responsibilities and job description for the RN - Lung Tumor Nurse Navigator - Full Time position at IRMC?
Position Summary
The RN Lung Cancer Nodule Navigator is responsible for coordinating the care of patients with pulmonary nodules and suspected or confirmed lung cancer. The navigator serves as the primary point of contact for patients, families, and referring providers, ensuring timely diagnostic evaluation, treatment planning, and follow-up. This role emphasizes patient education, care coordination, and multidisciplinary collaboration to optimize patient outcomes and experience.
Key Responsibilities
Patient Navigation & Care Coordination
Serve as the primary liaison for patients with incidental or suspicious pulmonary nodules.
Guide patients through diagnostic testing, referrals, and treatment pathways in collaboration with pulmonologists, radiologists, thoracic surgeons, and oncologists.
Ensure timely communication of abnormal imaging results and follow-up recommendations.
Facilitate scheduling of diagnostic imaging, biopsies, and consultations.
Track and monitor patients from initial nodule identification through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship or surveillance.
Patient Education & Support
Provide education to patients and families regarding lung nodules, cancer risk, diagnostic procedures, treatment options, and follow-up care.
Offer emotional support, address barriers to care, and connect patients to appropriate support services (e.g., smoking cessation, social work, palliative care).
Empower patients to actively participate in decision-making regarding their care.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Actively participate in lung nodule conferences, tumor boards, and multidisciplinary care planning.
Communicate effectively with referring providers, primary care physicians, and specialty teams.
Collaborate with imaging, pathology, oncology, and surgical teams to streamline care pathways.
Program Development & Quality Improvement
Assist in the development and implementation of lung nodule and lung cancer screening protocols.
Maintain accurate patient tracking databases and participate in reporting for quality metrics and accreditation requirements (e.g., CoC, ACoS, or Lung Cancer Screening Program standards).
Identify opportunities for improving timeliness, patient satisfaction, and care coordination.
Support community outreach and education initiatives related to lung health and early cancer detection.
Qualifications
Current Registered Nurse (RN) license, in good standing, required.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
Minimum 3 years of clinical nursing experience; oncology, pulmonology, thoracic surgery, or case management experience strongly preferred.
Oncology Nurse Navigator (ONN-CG) or related certification preferred (or willingness to obtain within 2 years).
Strong communication, organizational, and critical-thinking skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
Proficiency in electronic medical records and patient tracking systems.
Working Conditions
Primarily outpatient setting with occasional inpatient consultation.
Regular interaction with patients, families, physicians, and staff across multiple specialties.
Standard business hours with some flexibility for patient and program needs.