Manager, Oncology Navigation

Responsibilities:

• Manager will demonstrate leadership for program development, coordination of care and barrier to care assessment as needed based on specific patient diagnoses and oversight for development, implementation and on-going quality improvement of the patient navigation program in the Abramson Cancer Center and the cancer service line. Provide clinical and managerial supervision to Oncology patient navigators including performance management.
• Demonstrate knowledge, skill and coordination to provide care and guidance to the cancer patient and family from screening to survivorship. Systematically and continually perform the functions of assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating the care of the oncology patient. Support the family through difficult decision-making periods and assist in coordination of care for the patient and family and provides emotional support.
• This position is a Corporate position, whose responsibilities will be to supervise Nurse Navigators and Associate Patient Navigators, who manage cancer patients needs for specific diseases as assigned (e.g. Lung and/or GI cancers). This team provide navigation through various cancer treatments across the Cancer Service Line and specialty appointments across all of Penn Medicine.
• Function in an organized and time conscious manner. Partner with patients, families, the interdisciplinary team and community resources to provide well-coordinated, timely compassionate and multidisciplinary care and assure the navigation team as a whole is meeting this standard. Communicate with all members of the health care team as appropriate about the patient/family needs and concerns.
• Responsible for leading annual education for navigators and presenting navigation activity to the internal and external community as requested. Provide education and information to the patient and family, helping to make the care seamless, continuous and comprehensive. Initiate and document patient teaching including family and others, based on assessment of needs and respond to patient request for information regarding the disease process, expected side effects of treatment and community resources.
• Responsible for developing/maintaining collateral (including the Penn Cancer website); serving as point of contact for navigation for related departments and entities.
• Work across health care disciplines to assist in coordinating patient tests, procedures, appointments and treatments and assist patients in overcoming barriers to care including transportation, financial counseling, referrals, etc. Refer patients for supportive care services including nutritionists, social workers, counselors and financial counselors. Assist eligible patients’ access to clinical trials.
• Actively participate in Cancer Committee at HUP and PPMC and NAPBC at HUP. Provide expert content and representation as requested. Lead data collection, analysis and distribution for Patient and Family Services.
• Collaborate with the Abramson Cancer Center Operations Team including the New Patient Office to coordinate seamless patient care access across all departments and entities.
• Performs duties in accordance with Penn Medicine and entity values, policies, and procedures
• Other duties as assigned to support the unit, department, entity, and health system organization

Credentials:

• Registered Nurse license (Required)
• OCN or Navigation Certification (AONN+ or ONS) - (Preferred)

Education or Equivalent Experience:

• Bachelor's degree (Required), preferably in Nursing.
• Master's degree in Nursing or Healthcare (Preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in healthcare with knowledge of or direct care experience in Cancer/Cancer services (Required).

Skills & Abilities:

• High level oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team as a formal leader
• Strong clinical skills in assessment, interdisciplinary collaboration and linkage with resources
• Knowledge of cancer and cancer treatment modalities; experience working directly with people with cancer and their families preferred.
• Ability to learn technology-aided processes including time keeping, performance management, documentation, data collection and analysis
• Comfort in conducting assessment, coordinating care and facilitating interventions (including referrals) for oncology patients with social, environmental, emotional or medical needs
• Ability to collect data on workflow per departmental standards as well as utilize clinical documentation, statistical reporting and evaluation to improve services, assure quality and develop programs
• Demonstrated leadership knowledge, skills and abilities to be an effective ambassador for Nurse Navigation
• Experience working an complex system such as an academic health system
• Experience with research including literature review, study design and data collection.
• Experience leading projects or initiatives