The mission of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.

SUMMARY:

The primary purpose of the Program Director, Nurse Navigation position is to provide education, orientation and oversight to the Intake / Treatment Nurse Navigator program. Provides individualized assistance to navigators, patients, families, and caregivers, offering education and resources to help promote informed decision making and access to quality medical and supportive care services, helping circumvent barriers to care in the healthcare system from screening and pre-diagnosis of cancer through all phases of the disease-state experience and beyond to survivorship. The Program Director works closely with Access and clinical leaders to ensure staff are educated and oriented on navigation and all aspects of providing care across the continuum. Communicates with Access and clinical leaders and care team providers across the organization in all specialty areas to coordinate the patient's plan of care with all members of the team.

Job Specific Competencies:

STANDARDIZATION & ACCOUNTABILITY

• Plans, organizes and directs all activities related to Oncology Navigation Program including but not limited to training, orienting, educating and completing competencies for Intake and Treatment Oncology Nurse Navigators. May include training for intake centers and phone calls, new patient record review, and coordination with patient appointment scheduling, treatment .

• Participate in various multidisciplinary tumor conferences and monitor recommendations for appropriateness with NCCN or other national guidelines.

• Review national oncology navigation standards with the multidisciplinary team on a yearly basis.

• Work with Tumor Registry staff and others to collect data, track outcomes and support strategic planning processes, quality and performance improvement initiatives, and program development.

• Participate in performance improvement activities to enhance the patient, family and/or caregiver experience across the continuum.

• Perform outreach efforts across MD Anderson to establish and maintain positive working relationships with key ambulatory and inpatient care team "customers"-faculty, departments, APPs, nursing, case managers, social services, and others.

• Collaborate with providers, managers and executives throughout MD Anderson when selecting and monitoring national evidence-based navigation metrics and reports.

• Develop, in conjunction with support staff, support groups and education programs for the patient, family and caregivers.

• Participate in the MD Anderson Patient Family Advisory Council and Patient and Family Advisor Program meetings.

• Establishes productivity benchmarks and documentation requirements that inform navigation program performance

• Develop knowledge of available local and national resources and create partnerships/ relationships with these agencies and organizations.

• Other duties as assigned.

CLINICAL QUALITY & OUTCOMES, SAFETY AND EDUCATION

• Ensure that operational practices are improved through the development, implementation and evaluation of continuous quality improvement initiatives.

• Comply with institutional, divisional and unit based policies and procedures and external regulatory requirements. Implements and evaluate strategies to ensure continuous safety and accreditation readiness.

• Establishes quality benchmarks and implements plans to promote the professional development of staff.

• Ensures staffing resources are adequate to support work activity while maintaining fiscal accountability. Promotes a Just Culture that supports non-punitive reporting of safety concerns and events.

INTAKE MANAGEMENT, NAVIGATION & HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE

• Oversees the intake and life cycle of a patient referral from entry through egress from MD Anderson, tracking activity and providing analysis of navigation information, including metrics on conversion rate and new patient lag for navigated patients.
• Provides oversight and guidance to navigation for coordinated care to enhance patient and provider experiences across ambulatory areas.
• Collaborate with IT/EPIC to continually create and update technology for the Oncology Navigation Program.

CONTINUOUS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT, QUALITY & CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

• Assesses, recommends and directs improvements in systems, processes and programs across the navigation program to increase standardization, productivity, efficiency and cost savings.
• Leads and/or participates in institutional committees and working groups to understand complex operational issues and develop and implement scalable, sustainable solutions.
• Promotes a culture of customer service approach throughout areas of responsibility, and operates in a manner that ensures the delivery of the highest quality of care to the patients.
• In collaboration with Access Leadership and Ambulatory Clinical Leaders, ensures intake Navigators across the enterprise are trained and proficient in providing the best possible patient and provider experience. Responsible for planning, implementation and oversight of customer service improvement initiatives.
• Initiates and completes special projects and studies within designated timelines. Demonstrates strong organizational skills as they relate to prioritizing tasks and presentation of key elements. Demonstrates the ability to involve key personnel to meet project objectives. Effectively and consistently communicates project status to all involved parties through project completion.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary staff members throughout the institution to ensure recognized industry standards are utilized.
• Interacts routinely with senior leadership to ensure communication regarding changes in processes and policies.

TRAINING, REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE

• Ensures effective resource management, facilitation of customer service and consistent compliance with hospital operational policies and procedures.
• Coordinates to ensure Navigation service(s) area have appropriate space, privacy and resources to meet regulatory guidelines while functioning efficiently and meet productivity goals and patient care needs.
• Provides planning and oversight for continued readiness for access to meet institutional, state and federal regulatory guidelines.

Education

Required: Master's degree in Nursing.

Experience

Required: Five years professional oncology nursing or oncology nurse navigation experience. May substitute required degree with a Bachelor's degree in Nursing and seven years of professional oncology nursing or oncology nurse navigation experience.

Current State of Texas Professional Nursing License (RN). Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 158709
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Day/Evening, Days
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 106,000
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 132,500
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 159,000
• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Hard
• Work Location: Hybrid Onsite/Remote
• Pivotal Position: No
• Referral Bonus Available?: No
• Relocation Assistance Available?: No
• Science Jobs: No

#LI-Hybrid