Under direction, to perform work providing support, education and assistance to patients and their families by coordinating their care with physicians, hospital departments and other outpatient providers in one or more areas of specialty service. Coordinates referrals and assists patients during diagnostic and treatment planning phases from their initial cancer diagnoses through survivorship.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES(*Essential Functions)

1. Identifies patient needs through consultation with physicians, review of records and interviews with the patient and family.
2. Works with all services to provide consistent, organized and understandable care for the diagnostic and treatment phases of a patient's treatment plan.
3. Coordinates diagnostic and treatment planning with the primary care physician, consulting physicians, and hospital departments in order to facilitate the patient's experience and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the patient's recovery.
4. Performs patient assessments, interviews patients and families, and makes appropriate referrals.
5. Provides education to the patients and family members regarding specific health issues that may be encountered during the treatment and recovery stages.
6. Provides support to and communication with patients and their families regarding the individualized plan of care throughout all phases of the continuum of care up to and including survivorship.
7. In collaboration with the patients Oncologist, develops an individualized Survivorship Care Plan (SCP).
8. Meets with the patient to discuss the SCP and provides a copy of their individualized treatment summary and Survivorship Care Plan.
9. Ensures that a copy of the treatment summary and SCP are submitted to the patient's primary care physician.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS (Minimum Requirements)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of national treatment protocols, guidelines and standards of care for the management of patients with the disease of the assigned specialty area.
• Demonstrated clinical competency in patient care delivery, teaching, and management of patients and families with the disease of the assigned specialty area.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal direct supervision, and as a member of multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to provide compassionate, kind, and caring approach in patient interactions.

EDUCATION

All post high school education must have been obtained from a recognized College or University.  Additional education or experience may be substituted requirements on a year for year basis should the substitution not conflict with State or Board certification/license requirements.

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing Required
• Master's Degree in Nursing Preferred

EXPERIENCE

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible clinical registered nurse work experience in acute care setting Required.
• One (1) year work experience with with responsibilities in teaching and managing patients with a disease state related to the specialty area involved Preferred.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION

• IN Licensed Registered Nurse Required
• Certified Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation Required

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR
Meets the Standards of Behavior as outlined in Personnel Policy and Procedure #1, Employee Relations Code.

CONFIDENTIALITY/HIPAA/CORPORATE COMPLIANCE
Demonstrates knowledge of procedures for protecting and maintaining security, confidentiality and integrity of employee, patient, family, organizational and other medical information. Understands and supports the commitment of Methodist Hospitals in adhering to federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations governing ethical business practices for healthcare providers.

DISCLAIMER - The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. The statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.