Nurse Navigator - Pulmonary

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Nurse Navigator - Pulmonary located at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), in Bethesda, MD.

Due to clearance requirements, U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a T3/Secret clearance may be required.

An active nursing license in the state of Maryland is required.

HJF is seeking a Nurse Navigator for the Lung Cancer Program located at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), in Bethesda, MD. This position will serve as a consistent care coordinator to eligible beneficiaries at WRNMMC, ensuring timely access and seamless coordination of services throughout the continuum of lung cancer care, from incidental nodule discovery through treatment and survivorship. The Nurse Navigator will meet with patients and families to provide emotional support and guidance following the diagnosis of lung cancer through end-stage disease if necessary. The nurse will provide medical information, education, and share knowledge regarding internal and external support services and resources. The Nurse Navigator will be responsible for facilitating rapid scheduling, coordinating follow-up care, and tracking patients to ensure completion of the recommended treatment plan. The Nurse Navigator will identify and assist patients and families in eliminating potential barriers to care by identifying and referring to appropriate resources. They will be an integral and professional member of the Interdisciplinary team promoting optimal patient care.

The John P. Murtha Cancer Center at Walter Reed Bethesda is a modern, patient-centric, tri-service military healthcare facility. Its comprehensive core of military and civilian oncologists and other cancer- trained clinicians and researchers provide multidisciplinary cancer-care delivery and patient-family support services. Our Cancer Center, the Department of War (DoW) only Cancer Center of Excellence within the Military Health System, offers its patients access to cutting-edge cancer diagnostic and treatment technologies.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

• Coordinates lung cancer patient care across all settings with all healthcare providers, ensuring seamless transitions between pulmonary, oncology, and surgical specialties.
• Actively organizes and participates in the Multidisciplinary Thoracic Tumor Board, ensuring all necessary pathology, imaging, and clinical data are available for case review.
• Provides educational information and resources to lung cancer patients to assist patients and families with coping, foster self-care activities, and assure high-quality outcomes.
• Welcomes calls from lung cancer patients/families regarding information or questions and concerns about patient's care.
• Communicates closely with physicians and other health care providers to assist in the provision of quality patient care.
• Facilitates the identification of known potential care problems through the development, implementation, and evaluation of lung cancer clinical practice guidelines.
• Assists in coordinating discharge planning and resource referrals for the lung cancer population to optimize patient outcomes and create cost-effective opportunities.
• Evaluates clinical, quality, and economic outcomes of patient care for the lung cancer population.
• Collects and evaluates data related to the lung cancer population to provide information for ongoing quality improvement.
• Contributes to the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies and procedures related to lung cancer care, serving as a primary author for clinical pathways.
• Serves as a liaison for lung cancer patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
• Consistently demonstrates positive interpersonal skills in dealing with patients, families, and visitors to generate a feeling of trust and genuine care.
• Assumes responsibility for maintaining own competency and continuing education in lung cancer screening, prevention, and treatment.
• Demonstrates competency to provide care appropriate to the age group of the defined patient population.
• May participate in care management protocols to track incidental and/or screen-detected pulmonary nodules once those systems are established.
• Consents patients to research protocols and oversees the consenting process by other members of the team.
• Ensures that patients are consented properly; monitors completed consents, HIPAA authorizations, and questionnaire data on family history, health history, and lifestyle practices.
• Communicates closely with laboratory personnel and prepares lists of patients scheduled for surgery.
• Establishes and maintains a knowledge base of on-going clinical research activities and detailed knowledge of protocol requirements.
• Assists in the development and implementation of standard operating procedures related to patient care and the conduct of research within the Clinical Lung Cancer Program.
• Maintains expertise and represents the program at continuing education seminars.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for role.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing required.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of work experience required. Must have at least 1 year in clinical research care and must have Oncology or Pulmonary experience.
• Graduate of an accredited nursing school, Professional License required (R.N. or N.P.). Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) or Thoracic Nurse Navigator Certification preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the state of Maryland.
• BLS certification is required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of current screening, diagnostic tools, and treatment options for lung cancer patients.
• Able to anticipate patient needs and take appropriate courses of action, using approved guidelines, protocols, and pathways.
• Prior experience working in protocol/pathway-driven environments, with the ability to recognize necessary clinical variances and make appropriate specialty referrals.
• Familiarity with military health system processes, TRICARE referral networks, and electronic health record navigation (e.g., MHS GENESIS) to streamline active duty and retiree care.
• Excellent organizational and data entry skills.
• Able to communicate openly and empathetically with patients, families, and providers.
• Able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences including professional staff, community members, media, and other service organizations.
• Detail-oriented with self-management skills reflecting self-motivation, initiative, and fiscal responsibility.
• Knowledge of adult learning competencies and patient teaching skills.
• Demonstrates flexibility in responding to changing system needs and stays current with managed care and reimbursement issues.
• Basic understanding of procedures commonly done in the ambulatory setting.
• Knowledge of Federal regulations regarding the use of human subjects in research.
• Knowledge of clinical medicine and procedures and techniques necessary for performing research tasks; proficient skills in data acquisition and clinical responsibilities related to research protocols.
• This position may require U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a T3/Secret security clearance.

Physical Capabilities

• Ability to stand or sit at a computer for prolonged periods.

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in a clinical setting.

Compensation

• The annual salary range for this position is $77,600-$115,000. Actual salary will be determined based on experience, education, etc.

Benefits

• HJF offers a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on your health and well-being, from medical, dental, and vision coverage to health savings and retirement plans, and more.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.