Oncology Nurse Navigator, Transplant and Cellular Therapy - Full-Time, Days

Join UChicago Medicine, as an Oncology Nurse Navigator in the Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program at our Hyde Park Campus.

Up to $10,000 Sign On Bonus Available!

As an Oncology Nurse Navigator (RN) for the Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program, you serve as clinical liaison and the single point of contact for patients, coordinating their care as they move from initial diagnosis, workup through transplantation, and survivorship. You help ensure timely delivery of care and eliminate potential barriers, identify resources, and serve to enhance stem cell transplant and cellular therapy care and the patient experience.

In this role, the Oncology Nurse Navigator is responsible for the coordination of all aspects of patient care for this population including education, multidisciplinary referrals, data tracking, diagnostics, determining protocol eligibility, treatment orders, consents and other activities essential to the overall care of the patient. Participates in the conduct of clinical research trials including multi-center cooperative group and intergroup trials, multi-institutional pharmaceutical trials (Phase I, Phase II/III trials), and in-house, Investigator-Initiated trials designed, implemented and coordinated in the Hematology/Oncology Section. Serves as liaison between Transplant and Cellular Therapy Attending Physicians, Advanced Practice Providers, Primary Investigators, sponsors and third party manufacturers, patient and family members, donor coordinators, clinical research coordinators, referring physicians and community providers, pharmacists, social workers, financial specialists and other members of the multidisciplinary team.

Our NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center is dedicated to clinical brilliance, scientific discovery, and training the nation’s leaders in cancer care.

Essential Job Functions:

• - Coordination of care. Demonstrates expert knowledge of the transplant process and complex pre- and post-transplant care. Directs plan of care with the patient and the multidisciplinary team. Assesses needs for multidisciplinary support and organizes consults with other areas in a timely and efficient manner. Directs all pre-admission activities to include stem cell/bone marrow collection activities, treatment orders, consents, education, tours, documentation and pre-admission requisitions to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for patients and family members to the inpatient setting. Organizes all diagnostics needed pre-transplant. Responsible for scheduling admissions and preparing the appropriate paperwork to facilitate a clear and concise admission process. Throughout course of admission, documents care appropriately and in accordance with all local, state and federal guidelines. Organizes all post-transplant care in conjunction with the inpatient team. Coordinates all follow-up care and diagnostics per standard operating procedures. Communicates with all members of the multidisciplinary team, patients and caregivers throughout the transplant process.
20%
• - Data Collection and Interpretation. Evaluate all lab results for signs of toxicity or complications related to either the treatment or disease. Review all radiology and other test results for disease assessment and follow response criteria according to the research protocol and/or standard of care. Report adverse drug reactions and submit the appropriate documentation as directed in the research protocol. Follow-up on lab tests specified by the study and additional tests at the discretion of the physician to evaluate toxicities and treatment.
20%
• - Education Activities. Educates patient and their family regarding clinical aspects of their disease, purpose and nature of treatment, research protocols including potential impact on the patient should they agree to participate (i.e., treatment schema, tests, clinic visits, etc.), transplant process, calendar of events, symptom management and follow-up care post-transplant. Teach patients and their family members on injections, signs and symptoms, and medication side effects. Coordinates and conducts patient and family education utilizing BMT/Cellular Therapy Patient Education Handbook and other patient education materials on-line. Participate in the development of educational resources and materials for patient and family teaching.
10%
• -Process Improvement. Participate on process improvement projects to address transplant operations. Accountable to actively participate in task forces and meetings dedicated to improving communication among team members and the various transplant processes. Participates in transplant policy and procedure reviews and provides feedback. Accountable for adhering to program policy and procedures and other regulatory agencies (e.g., FACT, CIBMTR).

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited academic body.
• Licensed Registered Nurse with a valid, unrestricted Illinois State license.
• Minimum two years of clinical experience working as an RN in Hematology or Oncology Specialty.
• Demonstrated clinical competence in patient care, teaching and management of patients with a cancer diagnosis, and knowledge about clinical aspects of cancer and its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
• General computer skills and be adaptable to changing working situations and work assignments.
• Ability to self-start and work independently
• Excellent interpersonal skills are required, with specific ability to communicate effectively with patients, family members, and physicians, advanced practice providers, and other members of the clinical and administrative teams.
• Experience working in stem cell transplantation or CAR T cell therapy preferred
• OCN or BMTCN certifications preferred, ONS chemotherapy provider preferred

Position Details:

• Job Type/FTE: Full-time
• Shift: Days
• Work Location: Onsite
• Unit/Department: Cancer Service Line
• CBA Code: Non-Union