Nurse Navigators Q&A
Learn About Holzer Center for Cancer Care's Nurse Navigators
What Are Oncology Nurse Navigators?
Oncology Nurse Navigators are individuals who help you navigate through services and resources available for you and your cancer diagnosis. Navigators help find appropriate medical and social services, educate you and your family about the cancer journey, and are great contacts during stressful points throughout the care process.
What Can Oncology Nurse Navigators Assist With?
Oncology Nurse Navigators can assist with information at diagnosis, before and after completing testing or procedures, at therapy treatments, and at patient visits. They are also a wealth of knowledge relating to side effects of treatments, how to counteract those effects, and what can be done prior to treatments in order to minimize side effects.
What Happens During the First Meeting With An Oncology Nurse Navigator?
In the first encounter, the oncology nurse navigator will discuss emotional impact of the disease, provide information on treatment decisions and processes, offer educational resources, evaluate support needs for the patient and family members, and coordinate care between the patient’s providers.
Prior to treatment the navigator will provide basic education on your predicted treatment path. She can coordinate tests and/or appointments, visit or contact you following any procedures, and assist with medication management.
What About After Treatments Are Completed?
Our Oncology Nurse Navigators will coordinate physician follow-up schedules with the patient, which include a survivorship clinic. She will coordinate support programming and provide education on signs/symptoms or possible recurrence, nutrition and exercise and mental health.
What If I Have Questions About Financial Matters?
Holzer Center for Cancer Care offers a Financial Navigator to assist with financial concerns during oncology treatments. The Financial Navigator can assist in navigating insurance questions and with getting treatments pre-authorized, and works closely with the Oncology Nurse Navigators to assist with needs as they arise.
What About the Affiliation with Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center? What Does It Mean for Holzer Patients?
Holzer Oncology Nurse Navigators are available for quick, reliable communication between not only our Holzer providers, but also a wealth of resources available at our affiliated Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center. Through our affiliation, navigators can coordinate additional treatment options, obtain information for family members, and gain additional physician expertise. They work closely with any health system needed for your cancer journey to provide the best treatment plan for your cancer care.
How Can I Contact A Nurse Navigator?
Holzer Center for Cancer Care Nurse Navigators, Angela Ball, FNP, and Sydney Stoops, FNP, are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Center in Gallipolis. Their numbers are: (Ball) 740-441-3948 and (Stoops) 740-446-5718.
