We are seeking an experienced Oncology Nurse Navigator for our Medical Center and Southeast locations. 

Video Clip 1: The Culture among Staff at Oncology Consultants according to Vickie Houff, Oncology RN

About the Position

We are seeking an experienced Oncology Nurse Navigator for our Medical Center and The Oncology Nurse Navigator serves as an expert oncology clinician and patient/ client advocate who assists oncology patients/families to navigate the complex health care system. The NRSNV incorporates nursing and patient education, management, leadership, research, and consultation into the role to achieve quality patient care outcomes. The NRSNV works with the medical staff, clinic team, and nursing leadership to create an environment conducive to quality hematology / oncology patient care throughout the treatment continuum.  The NRSNV practices in accord with OC policies and procedures, the Texas Nurse Practice Act, and ONS standards. The NRSNV must demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the OC patient population.

The goal of the NRSNV in oncology patient care is to promote the optimal function of the individual/family throughout the continuum of the disease experience. This is achieved by integration of physiological and psychosocial components, utilizing the nursing process.

1. Assessment:  Identify resources and deficits
2. Planning:  Formulate goals of care, patient priorities
3. Intervention:  Physical care, patient education, referral, and/or counseling in order to assist the patient to reach health care goals
4. Evaluation:  Ongoing assessment of effectiveness of intervention, with modifications as needed

Video interview with Vicky Houff, RN speaking about the opportunity in Oncology Consultants

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Areas of Nursing Practice: The NRSNV will comply with the practice policies and procedures, as published and on-site in each practice location.  The individual practitioner is responsible to review and implement updates as they are made available.  In the performance of clinical activities, the ONC is expected to be aware of and utilize:

1. ONS Cancer Chemotherapy and Biotherapy, Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice, Oncology Nursing Society, 2009
2. Safe Handling of Cytotoxic Drugs, 2nd Edition: An Independent Study Module, Oncology Nursing Society, 2008.

Specific areas of NRSNV practice essential to optimal function within the role at Oncology Consultants include:

    1.  Case Finding

     a.Identifies patients who will require contact during high-stress points

1. Initial Diagnosis
2. Treatment initiation
3. Relapse
4. End of Lifecare

     b. Patients are identified and/or referred to the Nurse Navigator by

1. Nurse Navigator
2. Clinic staff
3. MD
4. Patient (self-referred)

  2. Initiates and completes contacts via:

1. Face to face meeting
2. Telephone
3. Email
4. Traditional mail

 3.Education of patient and significant other (SO)

1. Disease specifics
2. Treatment plan
3. Works collaboratively with the attending MD and Infusion Nurse to provide information

4. Coordinates appointments & services for patients during high-stress points

    a. New Patient Consultation Visit

       1. Conducts medical & social history interview prior to MD consult by phone and during clinic

       2. Audits patient chart to assure data is complete prior to MD consultation

       3. Coordinates acquisition of any required film media from patient/referral MD

       4. Discharge planning following the office consultation

        - Coordinate testing plans with clinic MA & Patient

      - Coordinate off-site referrals for procedures required prior to treatment initiation such as Biopsy and IVAD placement.

       - Transition patient / SO to Infusion nurse to begin educational process

       - Collaborate with OC Pharmacy to provide patient information about oral chemotherapy regimens and agents

     5. Contact patient / SO post-procedure to confirm that plans are progressing and on schedule for first dose visit, and identify roadblocks and take actions to facilitate care

  b. Hospital Admissions

1. Collaborate with MA and Clinic MA to obtain authorization for admission
2. Provide patient / SO information about admission process and plans
3.  

1. Post-discharge contact

c. Radiation Therapy consultations

1. Collaborate with attending MD and authorization staff to refer patients to appropriate facility
2. Facilitate transfer of medical records required for XRT consult to facility
3. Coordinate appointments and information with patient / SO and XRT department

d. Oral chemotherapy regimens

1. Collaborate with attending MD to provide support for oral therapy
2. Patient / SO education concerning treatment -Compliance and monitoring, Side effects / Toxicity

e. Active therapy treatment visit

    Initial therapy visit - Collaborate with infusion nurse to contact patient to assess response      to first dose

    Change in therapy - Collaborate with infusion nurse  to provide information regarding new      treatment plan

f. Home Health / Hospice referrals

1. Coordinate care with attending MD
2. Collaborate with authorization staff to identify appropriate agencies
3. Coordinate referral to agencies
4. Follow up contact with patient / SO

5. Offers psycho-social and/or emotional support to patients/SO

6. Collaborate with Infusion nurse  to triage patient clinical issues

7. Coordinates miscellaneous services for patients as requested by attending MD

8. Generalist Oncology Nursing Interventions

1. Technical Aspects of Cancer Nursing  include all basic nursing activities in addition to those specific to oncology patient care
2. Demonstrate proficiency in routine clinical procedures, as
3. Handling of blood and body fluids
4. Maintenance of supplies and equipment for optimal work environment
5. Use and maintenance of infusion devices
6. Function as liaison between patient/healthcare system / lay public

9. Professional accountability is expected of each professional registered nurse, in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act of Texas and policies and procedures of the practice:

1. Knowledge of laws governing the practice of nursing in Texas
2. Identification as RN or LVN via ID badge during all patient contact
3. Current licensure by the State Board of Nurse Examiners - Reported to administration with each renewal period

10. Documentation according to practice standards includes written notes and the utilization of computer technology appropriately and effectively

1. Nursing Actions
2. Interventions performed in the office for oncology patient care
3. Telephone contact / information and instructions
4. Patient Response to therapy

11. Administrative Role includes indirect nursing activities which promote quality cancer patient care within the practice.  This includes, but is not limited to:

1. Collaboration with MDs and Office Team to identify patient care flow issues and collaboratively identify process changes when indicated.
2. Development of education programs which address areas identified in Section A.  This includes ongoing evaluation and modification of content, tools, and methods.
3. Time management of clinic periods, both physician and nursing
4. Collaborative staff meetings for upgrading/revision of clinical services and nursing practice
5. Cost effective time and equipment/supply management
6. Plan and provide adequate nursing coverage
7. Maintain working relationships with pharmaceutical, medical supply, and home health care representatives
8. Work collaboratively with clinic support staff to maintain patient workflow throughout the day
9. Provide clinical information required by the clerical staff to obtain authorization for care, optimize patient insurance resources
10. Coordinate care with physician staff members
11. Report to Nursing Manager and/or Practice Administrator

12. Research:

1. Comply with the practice policies for investigational procedures
2. Maintain necessary records and documents
3. Identify areas for clinical nursing research

13. Community:

1. Provide/promote educational programs for other nurses and/or health care providers addressing cancer patient care
2. Participate in development of standard procedures for cancer care in community hospitals

Participate in community public education programs, as screening and detection, ACS, health fairs, and other projects.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

Documentation of Care: The oncology nurse clinician documents care according to the practice’s policies and procedures. The documentation includes all direct patient care encounters and telephone contacts via practice electronic medical record system.

Shift Schedule:

• Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm

Benefits:

• Insurances: Life, medical, dental, short term and long term disability
• 401K
• Free parking
• PTO
• Holidays 
• Competitive salary

Oncology Consultants is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Oncology Consultants is an equal opportunity employer.

Medical Center | Memorial City | Sugar Land | Katy | Willowbrook | Southwest Northwest | West Houston

Apply today. Our short application process takes less than 5 minutes on your phone, tablet or computer.