Summary

The Radiation Oncology Navigator RN is responsible for all aspects of the nursing process - providing and overseeing age-appropriate patient care. The RN coordinates care with a focus on education - self-management - and satisfaction - adheres to policies and procedures - collaborates with the interdisciplinary team - and participates in quality improvement and customer service initiatives.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13100330
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires physical activities typically associated with direct patient care - including extended periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - and repeated bending or kneeling.

Duties

• The Radiation Oncology Navigator Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for delivering competent - evidence-based nursing care to patients throughout the cancer care continuum
• The RN serves as a primary point of coordination for Veterans - families - and caregivers - ensuring access to appropriate services that address complex health care needs
• The Navigator facilitates care across multiple providers - care levels - and settings within both the VA and community networks to maintain seamless continuity of care
• Major Duties and Responsibilities Coordinates and oversees the patient's progression from initial suspicion of cancer through diagnosis - treatment - survivorship/surveillance - or palliative and end-of-life care
• Ensures all diagnostic and treatment steps are scheduled - completed - and aligned with the overall plan of care
• Collaborates with internal and external referral sources to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and best practices
• Anticipates patient needs and implements preventive care measures
• Conducts comprehensive assessments - interprets clinical data - and identifies age-specific care requirements
• Provides patient and caregiver education - guidance - and support
• addresses psychosocial - medical - and nursing needs in partnership with the interdisciplinary care team
• Develops individualized plans of care and ensures educational interventions are tailored to patient needs
• Monitors service needs - identifies system barriers - and contributes to process improvements
• Evaluates patient outcomes to ensure timely - appropriate - and effective delivery of services
• Advocates for holistic - patient-centered care through ongoing communication with patients - families - and providers
• Demonstrates leadership by applying evidence-based practice - offering constructive feedback to peers - and fostering a supportive environment for professional development
• Represents nursing perspective in interdisciplinary discussions and collaborates with team members to support change and optimize outcomes
• Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2 years of Radiation Oncology nursing experience
• and/or Minimum of 2 years of Nurse Navigator - Nurse Coordinator - or Care Coordination experience
• Oncology Nursing Certification (OCN®) or willingness to obtain within a specified timeframe
• Knowledge of radiation therapy treatments - side effect management - and oncology patient navigation
• Experience coordinating care for patients across the cancer continuum
• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) preferred
• Experience utilizing electronic medical records (EMR) systems
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30am-4:00pm - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized