Name: Diane
Position: Nurse Navigator
Subject: Resources
Question:
How can one effectively relay to administration the need for clerical support to assist in the navigation role? Any quick metrics tips? My caseload is exploding, and I have verbally discussed the need for clerical support to better allocate clinical resources, but have not yet been successful. How can I translate this into lost dollars for the program through metrics?
Answer:
This is a common concern for oncology navigators. For a 1-month period, record the time spent performing clerical tasks, also describing each of the tasks performed. Then, multiply the number of hours by your salary (and include the cost of benefits) to show your boss the money wasted on a licensed, much more highly paid professional doing clerical tasks. Also record how you would have/should have been spending this time, keeping in mind that it should consist of tasks that are part of a licensed nursing professional’s regular duties. That should shed the necessary light on your situation to get some action.
Name: Emily
Position: Administrator
Subject: Navigators in Pediatric Oncology
Question:
We are starting a nurse practitioner navigation program for our children with cancer. Have you heard of other pediatric oncology navigation programs?
Answer:
I have not specifically heard of pediatric oncology navigation performed by a nurse practitioner (NP) per se. So be sure to define what components of nurse navigation the NP will be doing and whether she will still also perform in an advanced practice role. Otherwise, someone may come along and say that it doesn’t require an NP, but instead should be performed by an oncology nurse navigator. Of course, NPs have been the backbone for long-term survivorship clinics for pediatric oncology patients for decades.
Name: Mary
Position: Administrator
Subject: Creating an Outpatient Oncology Navigation Program from Scratch
Question:
What resources would you recommend as one develops a new outpatient navigation program? How would you assess your ability to maintain sustainability?
Answer:
The book Team-Based Oncology Care: The Pivotal Role of Oncology Navigation provides practical insights on developing and maintaining a navigation program. It features the expertise of AONN+ leadership and members, 90% of whom are oncology navigators, and covers exactly how to do this, from soup-to-nuts!
Read more about it here.
