Rn Coordinator Hematology/Medical Oncology-Knight Cancer Institute Resource

1 The RN Coordinator works with the Providers to ensure that all baseline clinical information, both diagnostic and therapeutic, is gathered together in a systematic fashion prior to the patients visit. S/he works to ensure that new patients are prepared for the testing, evaluation and potential outcome of the visits ahead of time.

2 The RN Coordinator collaborates with the Team Coordinators, Care Coordinators and Managed Care Coordinators to ensure that all appropriate business related information is gathered prior to the visit, authorizations have been obtained and pre-registration has taken place.

3 The RN Coordinator be called upon to assign tasks to team members after assessing patient needs, staff skills and resources.

4 The RN Coordinator collaborates with other members of the team to ensure that patient flow is expedited during clinical practice sessions.

5 The RN Coordinator ensures that Provider orders that result from the new patient visit are recorded and executed. S/he also works to ensure that laboratory and other diagnostic findings are available to clinicians in a timely fashion after tests are performed. S/he tracks the post visit flow information to ensure that plans of care are executed in a timely fashion.

6 The RN Coordinator ensures that when hospitalization is required; those patients and their family members understand prior to admission, what they can expect during the pre-hospitalization, hospital stay and post discharge period. The RN Coordinator is expected to troubleshoot any problems that patients and their families encounter in preparing for or during their hospital stay.

General Clinical/Patient Care

1 Identifies the needs of patients through observations of disease symptoms, emotional state, cultural and socioeconomic background and response to medical regimen and treatment. Uses knowledge of the cognitive, physical, emotional and chronological maturation process. Incorporates assessment of pain, nutritional and functional need.

2 Triages and responds or refers inquiries appropriately. Recognizes and reports specific physical and emotional conditions/needs/concerns of the patients to appropriate members of the health care team. Alerts Providers to unusual observations of patients to facilitate immediate attention e.g. respiratory distress.

3 Plans as appropriate for the needs of patients and uses knowledge of the cognitive, physical, emotional and chronological maturation process. Collaborates with Providers and other members of the clinical support team in planning for the needs of the patients.

4 Provides individualized nursing care that responds to the needs of patients and demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment required by patients.

5 Responds to the emotional needs of patients by demonstrating sensitivity to the emotional state of patients. By developing a therapeutic relationship the RNC will communicate to patients in an appropriate manner, utilizing assessment and professional problem solving to resolve conflict or barriers experience by the patient. Refers to appropriate members of the health team indicated.

Inpatient Clinical Care

1 RN Coordinator will coordinator appointments and order planned admissions and communicate the plan to the inpatient staff to ensure optimal clinical outcomes.

2 RN Coordinator will work with the Practice Manager and the service chief in development of protocol and pathway driven care for most common malignancies treated on the Hem/Onc service as well as key measures of quality of care for the Med Onc Service, including adherence to pathways.

3 RN Coordinator will work with the Practice Manager and Clinical Director to periodically review key quality indicators. On the basis of these reviews, RN Coordinator will assist the Practice Manager and the Clinical Director in developing or modifying relevant processes of care to ensure continuous quality improvement

Outpatient Clinical Care

1 Assesses patient/family status and needs both actual and potential according to established standards.

2 Educates patient/family on chemotherapy and plan of treatment as established by the Care Team.

3 Coordinates and implements initiation of treatment plan of care.

4 Monitors, maintains and modifies the plan of care based on patient/family response to interventions.

5 Triages all patient calls; triages Provider calls and assists with communication when necessary. Uses standing orders to manage patient care when appropriate triage.

6 Recognizes and effectively responds to emergencies. Speaks with Providers directly in all emergency situations.

7 Assists with appropriate program placement if needed.

8 Acts as a patient advocate, preserving basic patients and family rights. Provides support to patients and families during inpatient stays.

9 Demonstrates knowledge of practice specific standards of care in actual performance.

10 Clarifies and accurately executes provider orders, per established protocol.

11 Recognizes ethical issues and takes appropriate action in the provision of care.

12 Maintains current knowledge of pharmacology and competency in modes of administration.