POSITION PERFORMANCE PLAN – Oncology Nurse Navigator, Cancer Center

Position Summary: The Oncology Nurse Navigator (ONN) is a registered nurse who works to coordinate care for patients by guiding them through the health care system, collaborating with physicians, providing support, education, indicated referrals, coordination of care and other assistance during the screening and diagnosis of cancer or the suspicion of cancer, treatment and survivorship.  In addition, the ONN  will monitor and report quality indicators and performance improvement as they relate to the cancer care program. The ONN will assume a leadership role in areas of professional practice, education, program development and quality management. The core aspects of this role focus on leadership, liaison, consultation, education, and clinical expertise in the area of medical and radiation oncology.

Primary Customers: Patients and their families, physicians, and other team members.

Copley Performance Areas/Behaviors:

Patient/Family/Customer First

• Treat others with courtesy, respect and caring touch in all interactions.
• Goes the extra mile to identify, fulfill and exceed customer needs.  Puts those needs first.
• Promotes patient rights, patient safety and ensures confidentiality and privacy at all times.
• Recognizes, respects, and effectively communicates with all cultures.

Promotes Teamwork and Partnerships

• Treats each employee as an equal and valued member of the team; works cooperatively with other employees to complete the work.
• Willingly flexes to meet changing workload demands and priorities.
• Helps make RCMC a great place to work by promoting positives and committing to resolve problems.
• Upholds RCMC Employee Behavior Standard in all interactions to improve teamwork and enhance patient satisfaction.
• Adheres to the Code of Conduct of RCMC in the performance of job duties and promotes the adherence of others as well.

Quality and Patient Safety

• Follows the National Patient Safety Goals.
• Is mindful and compliant with Red Rules.
• Prevents recognized safety hazards and proactively reports near misses
• Maintains and supports a Just Culture by reporting errors.
• Identifies potential opportunities and participates collaboratively to make improvements.

Coached by: Clinical Nurse Manager

Position Performance Areas/Expectations:

Evidence Based Practice

• Accountable for quality outcomes which incorporates established methodology to drive process improvement.
• Leads program quality initiatives, research, and/or evidence-based activities established by nationally recognized oncology nursing associations.
• Utilizes knowledge of oncology related, specific diseases, staging/diagnoses processes, and treatment modalities.

Relationship and Caring

• Supports community outreach to facilitate early detection and screening for cancer.
• Serves as a patient advocate by helping to navigate patients through the health care system.
• Identify and develop relations with departments involved in the care of oncology patients.

Critical Thinking

• Reviews cases and demonstrates the ability to prioritize care for complex patients based on knowledge acquired from clinical experiences.
• Provides patient education for varied oncology diagnoses and treatment modalities.
• Provides assessment of psychosocial needs and referral to appropriate services as needed, provides emotional support to patients and to their family members.
• Prioritizes patient care based upon knowledge and clinical experience.

Technical Expertise

• Reviews medical records for completeness.

• Connects with patients to establish relationship and assess needs.
• Collaborates with physicians and staff of the Cancer Center to provide patients with the highest quality of oncology care and services.
• Assists patients in scheduling appointments related to diagnosis, treatment, follow-up. Manages the coordination of pathology and imaging studies as well as support staff to optimize patient access to consultation.

Leadership

• Reviews and recommends changes in departmental policies, revises procedures in conjunction with new or changing theories, standards of practice and current technology.
• Demonstrates accountability for own professional practice, including progress towards achievement of annual goals.
• Promotes a culture of continuous learning and professional growth and development.
• Serves as a liaison between patients, physicians and other health care resources to maintain optimal quality and patient care.
• Assists in developing and implementing oncology strategic initiatives and programming.

Patient Population this Position Services: Young adult, adult, and geriatric patients.

The above statements are intended to describe the essential job functions and level of work performed by individuals in this position.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties that may be performed.

Position Requirements:

License: Must be licensed and currently registered to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois.

Education:  Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

Certifications: BLS required. Oncology Nursing Certification preferred; required within two years of hire.

Special Skills:  Extensive understanding of oncology population. Self-directed and able to  organize, prioritize, and multi-task projects. Proficient in review and analysis of  medical records and other patient care information.

Experience: Oncology nursing experience required. Three years nursing experience required.

 Preferred outpatient oncology experience.