Navigation programs have become more common since we first introduced OncoNav in 2012. Oncology navigators are now celebrated with their own National Oncology Navigator Day, and CMS has introduced reimbursement for navigation services. This has led to an increased knowledge and understanding of oncology navigation. As a result, new navigation programs are being implemented every day with some navigators being completely new to the role.
So, what if you had a tool to help you navigate more effectively through documentation? Whether you are a new navigator, or your program is just getting off the ground, OncoNav provides structured workflows and standardized touchpoints to support new and growing navigation programs.
The Challenge of Standardization in Navigation
In nursing, we’re trained on step-by-step procedures for tasks like placing an NG tube or a Foley catheter—many of which are standardized and universally recognized. Even everyday tasks, like changing a light bulb or checking your car’s oil, have clear, repeatable instructions.
However, cancer navigation isn’t as straightforward. Every cancer program has unique complexities, influenced by:
- The procedures and treatments available
- Individual provider pathways
- The specific patient population served
These variables make standardization across programs more challenging—but OncoNav helps bridge that gap.
How OncoNav Supports Your Navigation Program
Our implementation support provides expert consultation from experienced navigators who guide the development of custom workflows tailored to your program’s needs. These workflows help new navigators seamlessly integrate into their roles by providing:
✅ Required data fields to ensure consistency in documentation
✅ A structured patient record that flows logically from clerical info → disease-specific data → navigation details
✅ Tools to:
- Assess and evaluate patients
- Identify and track barriers and interventions
- Schedule follow-ups using task management and calendar functions
- Leverage templates based on disease types and phases of care
Case Study: How OncoNav Makes a Difference
Meet Susie Smith, a new general cancer navigator transitioning from bedside care in an oncology unit. She receives great resources from NCCN, ONS, and AONN+ and even shadows an experienced navigator. Yet, she still struggles to determine the best way to navigate her unique patient population.
To gain clarity, Susie meets with providers to understand their care pathways and define touchpoints for meeting and following up with patients. She initially documents everything in spreadsheets and EMRs, a time-consuming process.
Then, Susie’s facility implements OncoNav. She plays a key role in customizing the database, ensuring it captures all the necessary patient data, pathways, and standardized touchpoints she worked so hard to establish. Now, she can:
✔ Document everything in one place—eliminating spreadsheets
✔ Standardize workflows for disease pathways and patient interactions
✔ Attach educational documents to patient touchpoints
A Smoother Transition for Future Navigators
Fast forward—Susie relocates, and a new navigator, Jenny, joins the team. Like Susie, Jenny is new to navigation and shadows an experienced navigator. However, unlike Susie, Jenny starts with OncoNav already in place.
Thanks to Susie’s documentation and workflows, Jenny can:
🔹 Pick up where Susie left off and continue standardized pathways seamlessly
🔹 Spend less time figuring out navigation processes and more time with patients
🔹 Track patient volumes and use reporting features to advocate for additional staff as the navigation program grows
Because Jenny can focus on patient care, her relationships with providers strengthen, and patient volumes increase significantly. With OncoNav’s reporting tools, she can provide data-driven evidence to support the need for more navigators, ensuring the program’s continued success.
Let OncoNav Support Your Navigation Program
Whether you’re starting a new program, resetting an existing one, or onboarding new navigators, OncoNav streamlines documentation and standardizes workflows, allowing navigators to focus on what matters most—patient care.
For more information on how OncoNav can support your navigation program, contact OncoNav Sales at:
📞 (888) 369-1791
📧 sales@oncolog.com
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