About the position
The Oncology Nurse Navigator (ONN) plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality and efficiency of patient care within the oncology department at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Utilizing advanced nursing processes, the ONN is responsible for decision-making, patient assessment, and data analysis, all aimed at improving patient outcomes. This position offers individualized support to patients, families, and caregivers throughout the continuum of care, ensuring that barriers to care are alleviated and that care delivery is expedited. The ONN coordinates care through interdisciplinary collaboration, focusing on delivering efficient care that optimizes patient outcomes during their cancer journey. In this role, the ONN facilitates daily coordination of patient care by interacting with staff, patients, families, and external partners to develop and manage comprehensive care plans. The ONN must demonstrate autonomy while also being an effective team player, utilizing critical thinking and delegation skills to provide quality service. The position requires excellent interpersonal communication, customer service, and teamwork skills, along with strong organizational abilities and attention to detail. The ONN is expected to triage new patient referrals efficiently, assess and implement patient care plans, and ensure that patients and their families understand the care process. The ONN also collaborates with a multidisciplinary care team to expedite the sequence of patient workups, active treatments, survivorship, and end-of-life care. This includes targeted symptom assessment and management, as well as enhancing access to therapeutic clinical trials. The ONN serves as a liaison among department staff, patients, families, and external partners, ensuring a collaborative approach to care. Leadership skills are essential, as the ONN will be involved in staff education, patient education, and process improvement initiatives. Ultimately, the ONN empowers patients to actively participate in their treatment decisions and advocates for their rights and needs throughout their care journey.
Responsibilities
- Facilitates daily coordination of patient care.
- Interacts with staff, patients, families, visitors, and healthcare team members to develop and manage patient care plans.
- Works autonomously and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Utilizes delegation and critical thinking skills to provide quality service.
- Demonstrates the role of patient advocate and protector of patient's rights.
- Provides psychological, social, and cultural support to patients and families.
- Organizes and coordinates a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
- Clinically triages new patient referrals to ensure timely access to care.
- Assesses, implements, and coordinates patient care plans.
- Collaborates with multidisciplinary care teams to expedite patient workups and treatments.
- Conducts targeted symptom assessments and management for the patient population.
- Enhances access to therapeutic clinical trials and communicates with patients about them.
- Plans and implements strategies through evidence-based practices to support quality patient care.
- Serves as a liaison between department staff, patients, families, and external partners.
- Possesses leadership skills including staff education and preceptorship.
- Encourages and empowers patients to participate in decision-making about their care.
Requirements
- Graduate from an accredited school of nursing; BSN/MSN preferred.
- Three years of experience in specialty-specific nursing in a hospital, clinic, or community setting.
- Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Virginia required.
- AHA BLS-HCP certification required.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and organizational ability.
- Proven ability to understand medical terminology and handle stressful situations professionally.
- Good team dynamic skills to facilitate change and achieve defined outcomes.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Nice-to-haves
- National Nurse Navigation training preferred.
