March 19, 2017

What is a Nurse Navigator?

At The Cancer Center at Harrington, we offer a Nurse Navigator for our breast patients — Maxine Fairbanks, RN.

The Breast Nurse Navigator serves as a patient liaison to help patients and their family members navigate the complex healthcare system, after an abnormal mammogram finding.  Maxine will establish early contact, such as calling the patient and reviewing pre-biopsy instruction and answer any questions regarding the procedure. She also identifies and eliminates barriers to timely diagnosis and treatments.

As a navigator, Maxine assesses clinical, emotional, spiritual, psychosocial, financial, and other patient needs. She works closely with a multidisciplinary team to provide improved comprehensive services to patients and will be responsible for monitoring and reporting on outcome measures. If a positive diagnosis of breast cancer is found, she will schedule tests, procedures, appointments, and treatments, as well as initiate and complete the survivorship care plan.

In addition, Maxine participates in multidisciplinary consultations and tumor conferences and refers patients to appropriate clinical trials as well as supportive care services.  She also directs patient and families to available community resources and supportive services, serving as a clinical resource with expertise in oncology care management and helping to educate patients and families.

Maxine Fairbanks, RN, works at The Cancer Center at Harrington and is a certified breast care navigator.