A Nurse Navigator helps prepare you for your visit before you even arrive on campus
- After you call Fox Chase to schedule an appointment, a Nurse Navigator will connect with you. Based on the clinical information surrounding your diagnosis, she will make sure you are scheduled for the appropriate type of appointment. Nurse navigators will work within clinicians' schedules in order to secure you an appropriate, timely appointment. Your Navigator will make sure you are aware of what you will need to bring, or send ahead, prior to your visit, and answer any questions you may have about coming to Fox Chase. If you need slides, scans or records to be delivered from another institution, your Nurse Navigator will direct you on how to have your information sent to Fox Chase prior to your appointment and explain why this is so important in your clinical visit and decision making.
- Help you understand your diagnosis and answer your clinical questions — from the very first call
All of our Nurse Navigators are seasoned nurses with a high degree of oncology experience. Nurse Navigators are equipped with knowledge to help you better understand your diagnosis and treatment options. You can feel free to ask clinical questions right away, which can help reduce your anxiety. - Educate you about your care, refer you to other services as needed, and expedite your care wherever possible
In seeking treatment, patients may come across various barriers which make it difficult to navigate the healthcare system. There are a whole range of issues that can come up, which may be related to transportation, finances, insurance, language, communication, fear, anxiety, or family support. You may need additional services outside of your medical treatment to help you cope with these issues. Your Nurse Navigator is aware of the resources available to you, and can refer you to the services you may need, many of which are available in-house at Fox Chase, or in the nearby community. Often, based on a patient's needs, the Nurse Navigator can begin to coordinate the necessary resources before the patient even arrives at the Center.
