
- Certification Criteria
- Testing Blueprint
- Recommended Study Materials
- Renewing Certification
- Candidate Handbook
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ONN-CG and OPN-CG Authoritative References List Updated July 27, 2020.
Attention all candidates preparing for the AONN+ FFL, Inc ONN-CG and OPN-CG certification exams. Please note the authoritative reference list for both exams has been updated for your consideration.
The Authoritative References List provides a concise yet detailed guide to informative oncology navigation peer reviewed journals and textbooks. It serves as a valuable tool for all oncology navigators, especially those preparing for certification. This list is intended for use as a study aid only. The AONN+ FFL, Inc does not intend the list to imply endorsement of these specific references.
In addition, for your exam preparation please reference the ONN-CG and OPN-CG exam blueprint and accompanying candidate handbook to identify subject domains by certification exam.
Criteria
- Must have an active RN license in good standing
- Provide a copy of your curriculum vitae demonstrating current navigation employment and at least 3 years of direct navigation experience
- Provide documentation verifying you have earned at least 15 CEUs in the last 12 consecutive months
- Continuing education hours must consist of education within the defined knowledge domains:Patient Advocacy and Patient Empowerment, Quality & Performance Improvement, Coordination of Care and Care Transitions, Psychosocial Distress Screening, Survivorship, Community Outreach and Prevention, Professional Roles and Responsibilities, Organizational Management, or End of Life
- Provide your current job description
- Provide a reference letter signed by your employer verifying your role
Core Competencies for an Oncology Nurse Navigator–Certified Generalist: Community Outreach/Prevention
- Finding community resources
- Community needs assessment
- Identification of barriers to care
- Interventions to remove barriers to care
- Community education prevention and screening
- Population health
- Risk assessment
- Cultural competency
- Behavior modification
- Genetics
Coordination of Care/Care Transitions
- Chronic Care Model (CCM)
- Identification/intervention of clinical and service barriers to care
- Patient care process/cancer care continuum (prevention/screening/risk assessment, diagnosis, clinical trials, treatment, survivorship/end-of-life care)
- Patient/family center education (screening, diagnosis, treatment, side effects and management, survivorship/end of life)
- Identify models of navigation
- Cultural competency
- Multidisciplinary approach to care
- Tumor board
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines (national guidelines)
Patient Advocacy/Patient Empowerment
- Patient problem-solving
- Engagement in decision-making tools
- Relationship building/trust
- Assisting the patient with the care team/communication
- Counseling: conduit between patient and providers
- Patient/family center education (assess educational needs)
- Provide culturally sensitive care and education
Psychosocial Support Services/Assessment
- Distress screening
- Strategies for coping: disease, treatment, distress/anxiety
- Referrals to psychosocial support/resources
Survivorship/End of Life
- Goal-setting―life goals
- Survivorship education: long-term/late effects
- Care planning
- Palliative care
- Hospice
Professional Roles and Responsibilities
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Ethics
- Team building
- Leadership
- History/evolution of navigation
- Definition of navigation and types of navigators (community, lay, clinical navigator―RN/SW)
- Tracking workload
- Documentation
Operations Management
- Healthcare reform
- Utilization of resources
- Workforce shortages
- Organizational structure, mission, and vision
- Organizational development
- Healthcare economics
Quality and Performance Improvement
- Value/role of nursing research to validate practice and build evidence-based practices
- Research
- Quality metrics (selection of metrics; develop, measure, and create dashboards)
- Performance improvement (methodologies―Plan-Do-Study-Act [PDSA], SMART goals)
- Role in identifying quality needs, areas of quality improvement
- Role in improving the process
Willis A, Reed E, Pratt-Chapman M, et al. Development of a framework for patient navigation: delineating roles across navigator types. Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship. 2013;4(6):20-26.
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1. Community Outreach/Prevention – 9%
- Identify community resources—local, regional, and national
- Review results of community needs assessment, carried out alongside senior leadership of program or cancer committee
- Identify barriers to care
- Provide interventions to remove barriers to care
- Assess population health (common diseases and/or risk behaviors)
- Conduct risk assessment (smoking, diet, occupation, etc.)
- Perform community education on prevention and screening (health screening)
- Draw on cultural competency for community outreach/prevention
- Educate community in behavior modification
- Assess patients’ genetic risk and family history
2. Coordination of Care/Care Transitions – 27%
- Utilize Chronic Care Model (CCM) principles within a navigation practice
- Implement interventions to remove clinical and service barriers to care
- Implement into practice the Patient Care Process/Cancer Care Continuum (prevention/screening/risk assessment, diagnosis, clinical trials, treatment, survivorship/end of life care)
- Provide individualized patient/family center education (screening, diagnosis, treatment, side effect and management, survivorship/end of life)
- Identify models of navigation
- Draw on cultural competency for coordination of care/care transitions
- Take a multidisciplinary approach to care
- Use National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and/or other national guidelines
3. Patient Advocacy/Patient Empowerment – 21%
- Facilitate patient problem solving using shared decision-making principles and tools
- Engage in relationship building/trust
- Assist the patient with care team/communication
- Serve as a conduit between patient and providers
- Assess educational needs (Patient/family center education)
- Provide culturally sensitive care and education
4. Psychosocial Support Services/Assessment – 10%
- Conduct distress screening
- Promote strategies for coping: disease, treatment, distress/anxiety
- Make referrals to psychosocial support/resources
5. Survivorship/End of Life – 13%
- Train in goal setting/life goals
- Provide survivorship education: long term/late effects
- Engage in survivorship or end of life care planning
- Provide access to palliative care
- Refer patient to hospice care
6. Professional Roles and Responsibilities – 8%
- Engage in team building
- Use performance standards
- Provide leadership
- Generate documentation
7. Operations Management – 5%
- Understand organizational structure, mission, and vision
- Draw on knowledge of healthcare reform
- Participate in patient flow and processes of care improvement
8. Quality and Performance Improvement – 7%
- Explain the value/role of nursing research to validate practice and build evidenced-based practices
- Engage in research locally and nationally
- Implement quality metrics
- Report evaluation of outcomes against benchmarks
- Engage in performance improvement
- Identify quality needs, areas of quality improvement
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Foundational Resources
These reference materials support the 8 ONN-CG domains.
- AONN+ Knowledge Domain Modules. https://aonnonline.org/education/modules
- Christensen DM, Cantril C, eds. Oncology Nurse Navigation: Delivering Patient-Centered Care Across the Continuum. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society; 2020.
- Brant JM. Core Curriculum for Oncology Nursing. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society; 2020.
- Desimini EM, Kennedy JA, Helsley MF, et al. Making the case for nurse navigators―benefits, outcomes, and return on investment. Oncol Issues. 2011:26-33. http://www.jons-online.com/issues/2012/october-2012-vol-3-no-5/1197-jons-607
- Oncology Patient Navigator Training: The Fundamentals. George Washington University Cancer Institute. 2015.
- Optimal Resources for Cancer Care: 2020 Standards. American College of Surgeons. Copyright © 2019 American College of Surgeons, 633 N. Saint Clair St., Chicago, IL 60611-3295.
- Shockney LD. Navigation needs for breast health and breast cancer populations of low- and middle-income countries. Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship. 2013;4(1):21-31.
- Shockney LD. Becoming a Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator. 1st ed. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers; 2011.
- Shockney LD, Haylock PJ, Cantril C. Development of a breast navigation program. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2013;29(2):97-104.
- Shockney LD. Team-Based Oncology Care: The Pivotal Role of Oncology Navigation. Springer International Publishing; 2018. https://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319690377
- Yarbo C, Wujcik D, Gobel B. Cancer Nursing: Principles and Practice. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. 2011:Chapters 4-10, 25-27, 30, 33, 70-75.
Community Outreach/Prevention
- AONNonline.org. Certification Core Curriculum Module: Community Outreach and Prevention. https://aonnonline.org/education/modules/9-community-outreach-and-prevention
- The Affordable Care Act and Patient Navigation - George Washington SMHS. https://smhs.gwu.edu; www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/disparities/cancer-health-disparities#1
- www.livestrong.org/we-can-help/fertility-services/fertility-men/
- http://www.lls.org/#/diseaseinformation/getinformationsupport/financialmatters/copayassistance
- www.spohnc.org
- www.cancercare.org/copayfoundation
- https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation-topics/uspstf-and-b-recommendations#:~:text=For%20women%20aged%2030%20to,combination%20with%20cytology%20(cotesting)
Coordination of Care/Care Transitions
- AONNonline.org. Certification Core Curriculum Module: Coordination of Care/Care Transitions. https://aonnonline.org/education/modules/5-coordination-of-care-and-care-transitions
- Canosa R, Gentry S. Helping your patients manage chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship. 2012;3(5):22-26.
- Informed Consent and Patients with Cancer: Role of the Nurse as Advocate. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22842685
- Shockney LD, Tsangaris TN. The Johns Hopkins Breast Cancer Handbook for Health Care Professionals. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2008.
- www.livestrong.org/we-can-help/healthy-living-after-treatment/late-effects-of-cancer-treatment
Patient Advocacy/Patient Empowerment
- AONNonline.org. Certification Core Curriculum Module: Patient Advocacy/Patient Empowerment. https://aonnonline.org/education/modules/3-advocacy
- www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/cancer.cfm
- Mann S. Education and health promotion for new patients with cancer. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2011;15(1):55-61. http://doi.org/10.1188/11.CJON.55-61
- Pillay T, van Zyl HA, Blackbeard D. Chronic pain perception and cultural experience. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2014;113:151-160. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042814000238
- Shared decision making among individuals with cancer in non-Western cultures: a literature review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23989019
- www.canceradvocacy.org/resources/employment-rights/how-employment-discrimination-laws-protect-cancer-survivors
Psychosocial Support Services/Assessment
- AONNonline.org. Certification Core Curriculum Module: Psychosocial Support Services/Assessment Standards of Care of Distress Management. https://aonnonline.org/education/modules/7-psychosocial-care-and-distress-screening
- Bush NJ. Psychosocial Nursing Care Along the Cancer Continuum. 3rd ed. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society; 2018; Chapters 1-5, 8, 9, 17.
- http://www.canceradvocacy.org/resources/employment-rights/how-employment-discrimination-laws-protect-cancer-survivors/
- Kaplan, M. SPIKES-a framework for breaking bad news to patients with cancer. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2010;14:514-516. http://dx.doi.org/ PMID: 20682509. https://cjon.ons.org/cjon/14/4/spikes-framework-breaking-bad-news-patients-cancer
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network. National clinical practice guidelines in oncology (NCCN Guidelines): Distress management. 2014. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/distress.pdf
Survivorship/End of Life
- AONNonline.org. Certification Core Curriculum Module: Survivorship. https://aonnonline.org/education/modules/6-survivorship
- AONNonline.org. Certification Core Curriculum Module: End of Life. https://aonnonline.org/education/modules/11-end-of-life
- Bell CL, Somogyi-Zalud E, Masaki KH. Factors associated with congruence between preferred and actual place of death. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2010;39(3):591-604. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20116205
- Dow LA, Matsuyama RK, Ramakrishnan V, et al. Paradoxes in advance care planning: the complex relationship of oncology patients, their physicians, and advance medical directives. J Clin Oncol. 2010;28:299-304. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2815718/
- Jones J, Nowels C, Kutner JS, Matlock DD. Shared decision making and the use of a patient decision aid in advanced serious illness: provider and patient perspectives. Health Expect. 2015;18:3236-3247. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25439268
- Pizzi MA. Promoting health, wellness, and quality of life at the end of life: hospice interdisciplinary perspectives on creating a good death. J Allied Health. 2014;43(4):212-220. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25433185
- Shockney LD. Fulfilling hope: supporting the needs of patients with advanced cancers. Nova Science. 2014;50:109, 111, 124.
- Surbone A, Halpern MT. Unequal cancer survivorship care: addressing cultural and sociodemographic disparities in the clinic. Support Care Cancer. 2016;24:4831-4833. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3435-4
Professional Roles and Responsibilities
- AONNonline.org. Certification Core Curriculum Module: Professional Roles and Responsibilities. https://aonnonline.org/education/modules/8-professional-roles-and-responsibilities
- Blaseg K. Patient navigation at Billings Clinic: an NCI Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) pilot site. ACCC’s Cancer Care Patient Navigation: A Call to Action. Rockville, MD: Association of Community Cancer Centers; 2009:15-24. https://www.accc-cancer.org/docs/projects/resources/pdf/patientnavigation-guide/s15.pdf?sfvrsn=875c3b10_0
Operations Management
- AONNonline.org. Certification Core Curriculum Module: Organizational Management. https://aonnonline.org/education/modules/10-organization-management
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793740/
- Bellomo C, Strusowski T. The importance of operations management, organizational development, and health economics. Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship. September 2017 Vol 8, No 9.
- Fraser I, Encinosa W, Glied S. Improving efficiency and value in health care: introduction. Health Serv Res. 2008;43(5 Pt 2):1781-1786. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6773.2008.00904.x.
Quality and Performance Improvement
- AONNonline.org. Certification Core Curriculum Module: Quality and Performance Improvement. https://aonnonline.org/education/modules/4-quality-performance
- Cunning S. The only constant is change…make it last with process improvement. Nurs Manage. 2014;45:15-17. https://journals.lww.com/nursingmanagement/fulltext/2014/04000/The_only_constant_is_change_make_it_last_with.4.aspx
- Stevens KR. The impact of evidenced-based practice in nursing and next big ideas. Online J Issues Nurs. 2013;18(2):4. http://ojin.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-18-2013/No2-May-2013/Impact-of-Evidence-Based-Practice.html
- Strusowski T, Sein E, Johnston D. Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators announces standardized navigation metrics. Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship. 2017;8(2):62-68. http://www.jons-online.com/issues/2017/february-2017-vol-9-no-2/1590-academy-of-oncology-nurse-patient-navigators-announces-standardized-navigation-metrics
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Your ONN-CG℠ is valid for 3 years from the date of testing. To renew your Oncology Nurse Navigator–Certified Generalist℠ (ONN-CG℠) credential, you must document participation in 45 continuing education hours every 36 months.
Continuing education hours must consist of education in the following knowledge domains:
- Patient Advocacy & Patient Empowerment
- Quality & Performance Improvement
- Community Outreach & Prevention
- Coordination of Care & Care Transitions
- Professional Roles & Responsibilities
- Psychosocial Distress Screening
- Organizational Management
- Survivorship/End of Life
For a list of AONN+ continuing education offerings, please click here.
Additional requirements:
- Must maintain direct navigation experience
- Must maintain an RN license in good standing
- Must have an RN license number
- Must pay renewal fee at time of recertification:
- AONN+ Member: $150
- AONN+ Nonmember: $300