Breast Health Centre Nurse Navigator

VACANCY STATUS:  FULL TIME

JOB SUMMARY:

The Breast Health Centre Navigator is an integral part of the multidisciplinary team responsible for providing expert care and support to patients with breast health concerns.

The role requires effective communication, extensive medical knowledge, coordination, and patient advocacy to ensure timely and accurate information and services are delivered.

Reporting to the Manager of Diagnostic Services, the Registered Nurse Navigator for the Breast Health Centre is responsible for providing information and support, referring to additional internal and external supportive services as required and maintaining client records.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Patient & Family Support: Respond to patient and family inquiries, concerns, and requests. Provide clear empathetic responses and direct complex medical questions to the appropriate team members. Clearly interpret breast studies and pathology reports to patients.
• Patient Information: Provide patients and families with detailed information regarding breast health assessments, including tests and procedures. Ensure clear communication about the steps involved in diagnosing breast abnormalities.
• Collaboration with Health Care Providers: Communicate promptly with referring physicians to ensure the continuity of patient care, facilitating timely follow ups and diagnostic tests. Works with surgeons, radiologists, technologists, pathologists, family physicians, and oncologists in tandem to provide quality care to patients with breast health concerns.
• Diagnostic Scheduling: Schedule necessary diagnostic tests and interventions such as mammograms, ultrasounds, stereo biopsies, u/s core biopsies, u/s aspirations, wire localizations, magseeds, contrast enhanced mammograms, and MRI biopsies while adhering to the Breast Health Programs clinical pathways.
• Report Management: Gather and review diagnostic and surgical reports, ensuring accurate and timely documentation. Manage pathology reports and ensure proper follow up actions are completed.
• Medical Oversight: Escalate indeterminate or uncertain patient outcomes to Co- Medical Directors for review and follow up recommendations.
• Surgical Assessment: Plan and schedule surgical assessment clinics and arrange pre admission procedures and the initiation of patient surgical records. Obtain brief medical histories from patients.
• Financial Documentation: Complete required documentation for timely and accurate payments through the OBSP/CCO Breast Assessment Initiative.
• Community Services: Maintain a comprehensive inventory of community breast health services and assist patients in connecting with these services and other WRH support resources.
• Routine Patient Care: Resolve routine patient care issues following WRH policies and procedures. 
• Emotional Support: Provide caring support to reduce patient anxiety and offer encouragement throughout their healthcare journey.
• Coordination of Procedures: Coordinate patient appointments for diagnostic procedures, ensuring proper medical history is gathered and communicated to relevant staff, including technologists and radiologists. Being alert to conditions that may affect patient’s ability to physically or emotionally tolerate the procedure. Inform technologists and radiologists as to a patient who takes anticoagulant medications or who is highly anxious.
• Communication with Other Departments: Coordinate with other departments (e.g. Nuclear Medicine, MRI, CT, OBSP, and Cancer Centre) to ensure timely and appropriate scheduling of diagnostic tests and consults.
• Interpretation of Studies: Communicate study results and pathology reports to patients, clarifying findings and linking them to clinical symptoms and complaints. For patients from other facilities needing our care: see that outside films, CDs, and reports arrive for our radiologist to review. After plan is presented to provider and patient and appropriate appointments are arranged.  
• Patient Education: Answer numerous patient and provider inquiries/phone calls/faxes/emails related but not limited to diagnostic tests, including mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, MRIs, and pathology reports. Educate patients on the procedures and what to expect.
• Research Support: Assist research teams in identifying patients for relevant hospital based research protocols, i.e University of Windsor Fresh Tissue Studies.
• Case Preparation: Assist in preparing cases for biweekly Breast Conference Tumor Boards, contributing to the multidisciplinary care discussions.
• Educational Materials: Develop and revise educational materials for patients, enhancing understanding of breast health issues and care.
• Professional Development: Participate in professional development opportunities, including meetings, conferences, and courses to maintain expertise in breast health.
• Quality Improvement: Recommend quality improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of care.
• Patient Advocacy: Act as the primary liaison between patients and medical providers, ensuring follow up appointments, treatments, and adherence to care plans.
• Breast Health Education: Teach patients self-breast examination techniques and provide additional education on breast health and wellness as needed.
• Other Duties as Assigned: i.e. cleaning and restocking of surgical room, laundry billing, etc.

Skills/Capabilities:

•  Patient-Centred Care: Demonstrated ability to provide patient focused care in alignment with the multidisciplinary team philosophy of the Breast Health Program.
• Confidentiality: Deep understanding of privacy and confidentiality in patient care, respecting all client and organizational policies.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Radiology Information Systems such as PACS and Powerscribe, Cerner, and Powerchart, with a strong ability to manage and analyze patient data.
• Time Management: Highly self-directed with strong multi-tasking, prioritization, and organizational skills. Autonomous in day to day operations.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional interpersonal, oral, written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
• Clinical Knowledge: Strong clinical and medical knowledge related to breast health, including understanding of medications, diagnostic procedures, and patient care protocols.
• Patient Education: Proven experience in providing patient education and support, with a focus on building trust and confidence.
• Commitment to Improvement: A commitment to continuous quality improvement and staying current with best practices in breast health.

 This role is critical in providing high quality care and support to patients within the Breast Health Centre, ensuring an effective and compassionate healthcare experience. The Breast Health Centre Navigator serves as the central figure (“the glue”) that ensures the Breast Health Department functions productively.

Qualifications:

 Current Certificate of Registration as a Registered Nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario required

• Health Related post-secondary Registered Nursing diploma/degree required.
• Patient Navigation course started within 60 to 90 days of start date – required
• Five years related and progressively responsible experience.
• Demonstrated computer skills and multi-tasking abilities.
• Knowledge of breast cancer and the breast assessment process an asset.

Windsor Regional Hospital is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, upon request, accommodation will be provided by WRH throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.