UF Health Cancer Center oncology nurses share expertise for national competency models

Two UF Health Cancer Center staff members served as content experts to develop updated competency guidelines published this month by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), sharing their expertise in manuals that shape the profession.

Ivey
Alison Ivey, M.S.N., M.S., M.B.A., OCN, CCRP

Alison Ivey, R.N., M.S., M.B.A., OCN, CCRP, the Cancer Center’s chief administrative officer who previously served as administrative director of the Clinical Research Office, contributed to the Oncology Clinical Research Nurse Competencies.

Melissa Lynn, M.S.N., R.N., OCN, CCM, coordinator of the UF Health oncology nurse navigator team, contributed to the Oncology Nurse Navigator Competencies.

The updated competencies are designed for oncology professionals to stay up to date with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for their specific role in practice. As content experts, Ivey and Lynn participated in a series of workshops to review, refine, and supplement previously developed information.

headshot of melissa lynn
Melissa Lynn, M.S.N., R.N., OCN, CCM

The ONS and the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) contracted with the Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO) and Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN) to develop the updated competency models to ensure they reflect changes in the roles over time as the cancer care environment evolves.

The competencies can be used by research nurses or oncology nurse navigators to plan their career development, achieve lifelong learning goals, and progress to an expert level in the profession.

At UF Health, an oncology nurse navigator coordinates all aspects of a patient’s care throughout their cancer treatment, ensuring they have a personalized plan. Navigators also act as resources for community physicians when they are seeking information about care plans for their patients.

Oncology clinical research nurses are vital members of the cancer care team who play many roles in clinical trials, typically as direct care providers or study coordinators. They ensure patients are well-supported throughout the clinical trial while maintaining the integrity of the study.

Please help us congratulate Alison and Melissa on their valuable contributions to the profession!

NCI Cancer Center badge