Registered Nurse (RN) - Nurse Navigator
Excela Latrobe Hospital
Latrobe, PA

NURSE NAVIGATOR - BREAST CENTER

Job Summary The Nurse Navigator, Breast Center BSN functions on the multidisciplinary team as an advocate, interpreter, and clinician, and educator for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Responsible for consistent care coordination throughout the continuum of care and completes and assessment of the physical, psychological, and social needs of the patient. The anticipated results are enhanced patient outcomes, increased satisfaction, and reduced costs of care. Coordinates patient care throughout the continuum in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. Serves as a liaison throughout the facility and in the community regarding services provided for this unique patient population. Serves as a single point of contact for referring physicians, patients, and caregivers to provide resources and assistance with accessing clinical and supportive care services offered within Excela Health and the community. Participates in data analytics as it relates to utilization, quality, satisfaction and outcomes. Essential Job Functions * Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending education workshops, review professional publications, establish personal networks, and participate in professional societies. * Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending education workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies. * Assures quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards; measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and standards; making or recommending necessary adjustments; following system/hospital and nursing division's philosophies and standards of care set by state board of nursing, state nurse practice act, and other governing agency regulations. * Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations. * Documents patient care services by charting in patient and department records. * Maintains continuity among nursing teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs using Nurse Knowledge Exchange techniques. * Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential. * Implements standard work, clinical protocols and patient care pathways. * Ensures safe and effective transitions of care that help to promote positive health care outcomes for Excela Health patients. * Functions as preceptor for new hires. * Assesses, plans, implements coordinates, and monitors and evaluates options for patients, their families, caregivers and the health care team, including providers, to promote effective care coordination outcomes. * Manages transitions of care effectively as one of the critical components to reducing readmissions and poor health outcomes. Provides crisis management for clients; makes linkages for interventions as appropriate. * Initiates care coordination strategies that are evidence-based and outcome focused. * Implements standard work, clinical protocols and patient care pathways. * Identifies patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with potential and actual patients, and other persons in a position to understand care requirements. * Establishes a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families. * Promotes patient's independence by establishing patient care goals; teaching patient/family to understand condition, medications, and self-care skills; answering questions. * Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations; calling for assistance from health care support personnel. * Demonstrates competencies of clinical reasoning and critical-thinking skills for managing complex and high-risk patients while simultaneously assuming the patient advocate role to ensure conflict-free, unbiased and culturally competent care. * Assures care coordination that takes into account patients' values, needs, preferences and their choice to self-direct care. * Puts the patient at the center of all care decisions and is an essential driver to ensuring that patients get the right care, in the right setting, at the right time. * Effectively manages transitions involving comprehensive planning, targeted outreach and the timely transfer of information between parties critical to the transition. Manages transitions of care effectively as one of the critical components to reducing re-admissions and poor health outcomes. * Facilitates the flow of care to expedite appropriate care and treatment and prevent readmissions. * Assumes the leadership role in achieving outcomes and making the health system work for the patient. * Brings access, understanding and knowledge of the community and the resources to support management of chronic illness. * Resolves patient problems and needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies. * Maintains a cooperative relationship among health care teams by communicating information; responding to requests; building rapport; participating in team continuous quality improvement and problem-solving methods. * Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed. * Implements effective care coordination strategies that are evidence-based and outcome focused. Specialty Job Functions * Central point of contact for all navigated patients; including interaction with medical, nursing, ancillary and community resources. * Serves as point of contact to all patients from diagnosis, treatment, and recovery period. * Develops survivorship care plan for patients at conclusion of treatment. * Oversees the planning scheduling, and implementations of day-to-day clinical activities and procedures for navigated patients. * Once diagnosis is made, the Coordinator is responsible for: * Meeting with the patient and/or significant other * Facilitating / arranging required diagnostic testing, appointments and scheduling of procedures. * Reviewing / communicating / educating patient and significant other the plan of care. * Facilitates appointments for appropriate consultations and support services within established protocol * Responds to patient requests for information * Prompts communication amongst the healthcare team and the patient / significant other. * The Coordinator partners with patients, families, the interdisciplinary team, and community resources to provide well-coordinated, timely, compassionate, exemplary, interdisciplinary care. * Monitor compliance with patient treatment plan thru the entire episode of care. * Evaluation of patient satisfaction with services offered including investigation of concerns / complaints. * Enhances the patient's quality of life, sense of autonomy, and self-determination for managing her own health care. * Participate in orientation, training and evaluation of new staff * Functions in an organized and time conscious manner. Communicates with all members of the healthcare team, as appropriate about patient/family needs and concerns. * Initiates and performs ongoing review of policies related to services provided. Where appropriate, updates or writes new policies to enhance professional practice. * Serves as resource for community educational events, such as health fairs, screenings, symposiums, and lectures, as well as staff education. * Coordinates multidisciplinary planning conferences. * Develops concise patient summaries for use by the patient and care team utilizing standardized care protocols in accordance with nationally recognized care guidelines. * Develops patient education programs and tools on breast health, breast cancer and breast care. * Drafts quarterly report cards and presents to Breast Cancer Steering Committee and other groups to demonstrate outcomes and performance improvement activities. * Responsible for outreach efforts to establish and maintain positive working relationships. * Strives to achieve excellence of services. * To the best of the employee's knowledge and understanding, complies with all federal and state laws and regulations. * Maintains the privacy and security of all confidential and protected health information. Uses and discloses only that information which is necessary to perform the function of the job. * Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned. * Active participation on the Excela Health Cancer Committee and associated Breast Center of Excellence Committees. * Collaborates with the Tumor Registry to utilize data as information in presenting, planning, coordinating care and services. * Accountable for participating in data analysis as it relates to utilization, participation and quality as it relates to program and within scope of job function. * Actively involved in obtaining and maintaining NAPBC accreditation * Facilitates interdisciplinary Breast Cancer Conference * Demonstrates the knowledge, skill and coordination to provide nursing care and guidance to the breast cancer patients from diagnosis to recovery. * Systematically and continually performs the functions of assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the care of patients - including physical, psychological and social assessment * Other related duties as assigned. Required Qualifications * Graduate of an accredited Nursing Program required. * Bachelor's Degree (BSN) or Master's Degree (MSN) in Nursing required. * Two plus (2+) years direct medical/surgical experience. * Strong leadership ability, independent thinking and decision-making ability; analytical problem solving skills, sound judgment; excellent oral and written communication skills, must be able to function in a team environment. * Strong time management and organizational skills; ability to work independently and in a team setting; is able to multi-task and prioritize assignments and demonstrate excellent problem solving skills; creativity, and ability to transition smoothly to various settings including inpatient, skilled nursing, physician office and outpatient clinics; flexibility in scheduling. * Working knowledge: PC and Related Software (Microsoft Office) Preferred Qualifications * Master's Degree in Nursing or related field (Health Administration, Business, Public Health, Management * Working knowledge of databases and registries * RN Case Management or care navigation experience in the last five years * Three (3) years of oncology experience in a hospital, office or ambulatory setting. * Knowledge of Payer/Insurance Benefits License, Certification & Clearances * Current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Pennsylvania required. * Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program required. * Nursing Specialty Certification within 2 years of eligibility or hire e.g. Ambulatory Care Nurse or Care Coordination and Transition Management or equivalent. * Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system. Supervisory Responsibilities * This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but may serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work * Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.). * Travel may be expected locally between Excela Health locations. LEAN * Actively promotes a Lean work culture by performing team member duties to encourage consistent use of LEAN principles and processes, including continually seeking work process improvements. Recognizes the necessity of taking ownership of one's own motivation, morale, performance and professional development. Strives for behavior consistent with being committed to Excela's missions, vision and values. AAP/EEO * Excela Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Excela Health to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, non-job related disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected class. Excela Health will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. * Ability to perform the Essential Functions listed on the Physical Conditions and ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Condition chart below. Work Environment Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required. Essential - Absolute Necessity. Marginal - Minimal Necessity. Constantly - 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift. Frequently - 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift. Occasionally - 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift. Rarely - Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift. Physical Condition Essential Marginal Constantly Frequently Occasionally Rarely Never Extreme Heat X Extreme Cold X Heights X Confined Spaces X Extreme Noise(>85dB) X Mechanical Hazards X Use of Vibrating Tools X Operates Vehicle X Operates Heavy Equipment X Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices X Rotates All Shifts X X 8 Hours Shifts X X 10-12 Hours Shifts X X On-Call X X Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hrs/wk) X X Travel Between Sites X X Direct Patient Care X X Respirator Protective Equipment x Eye Protection X X Head Protection (hard hat) X Hearing Protection X Hand Protection X Feet, Toe Protection X Body Protection X Latex Exposure X X Solvent Exposure X Paint (direct use) Exposure X Dust (sanding) Exposure X Ethylene Oxide Exposure X Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure X Blood/Body Fluid Exposure X X Chemicals (direct use) Exposure X Mist Exposure X Wax Stripper (direct use) X Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure X Ionizing Radiation Exposure X Laser Exposure X Physical Demands When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required. Essential - Absolute Necessity. Marginal - Minimal Necessity. Constantly - 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift. Frequently - 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift. Occasionally - 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift. Rarely - Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift. Physical Condition Essential Marginal Constantly Frequently Occasionally Rarely Never Bending (Stooping) X X Sitting X X Walking X X Climbing Stairs X X Climbing Ladders X Standing X X Kneeling X X Squatting (Crouching) X X Twisting/Turning X X Keyboard/Computer Operation X X Gross Grasp X X Fine Finger Manipulation X X Hand/Arm Coordination X X Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force) X <10#

Carry X <10# Transfer/Push/Pull Patients X Seeing Near w/Acuity X X Feeling (Sensation) X X Color Vision X X Hearing Clearly X X Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead X Reaching Above Shoulder Level X X Reaching Forward X X Lifting Floor to Knuckle X <10# Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle X Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder X Lifting Shoulder to Overhead X When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.