Karen Schnaufer
Tavares,FL
Summary
Qualified Registered Nurse with solid background in oncology nursing and patient navigation. Successfully facilitated patient care plans, ensuring seamless communication between multidisciplinary teams. Demonstrated expertise in compassionate patient support and effective care coordination.
Overview
2
2
Certification
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Breast Oncology Nurse Navigator
Orlando Health Cancer Institute
Orlando, FL
07.2022 - Current
- Coordinate patient care for breast and GI cancer patients through the cancer continuum by assisting with timely access to care, coordinating/facilitating appointments and services, and encouraging adherence to treatment plans, protocols, and follow up care.
- Assessed patients’ current and future needs, provided access to resources, and made appropriate referrals.
- Provide education and information to the patient and family related to the cancer healthcare system, multidisciplinary team member roles, plan of care, and available resources.
- Establish and maintain close collaboration with physicians and multidisciplinary team members to ensure seamless patient care and care coordination.
- Track navigation program metrics and quality indicators, document patient interactions and progression, and communicate navigation activities to physicians and the cancer care team. Supported patients and families during transitions from active treatment to survivorship or end-of-life care coordination.
- Continually participate in the development and implementation of the nurse navigator role.
- Developed and obtained patient and family educational materials and resources to enhance understanding of care processes.
- Coordinate nursing care and guidance to the cancer patient from screening to survivorship.
- Participate in community health promotion and awareness programs.
RN, Infusion Nurse/Radiation Oncology
Duke Raleigh Cancer Center
10.2016 - 05.2022
- Administered chemotherapy and therapeutic infusions, provided patient education, assessed and monitored patient conditions, performed PIV insertion and port access, collaborated with multi-disciplinary treatment teams.
- Radiation Oncology Charge RN, monitoring and managing side effects of Radiation therapy, intensive patient education, manage in-patient and out-patient treatment issues, management of concurrent treatment patients, multi-disciplinary treatment collaboration, in charge of nurse staffing for multiple locations, daily patient management and oversight, liaison between unit staff and Cancer Center staff/MD's/management, performed nursing administrative duties
RN Unit Manager/Interim Director of Nursing
Hillside Nursing Center and Rehab
05.2016 - 10.2016
- Nursing Supervisor overseeing 5 Units with RNs, LPNs, and CNAs
- Assisted the Assistant Director of Nursing/Administrator in medical management of the facility and managed the day-to-day operation of a long-term care and assisted living unit.
RN, Content Writer, Subject Matter Expert
Relias
06.2015 - 05.2016
- Created educational material for eLearning and Continuing Education related to Senior Care and Care for IDD, including disease-specific training, safety, and health care.
- Developed evidence-based nursing education content aligned with regulatory and accreditation standards.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to review clinical workflows and refine training materials.
- Assessed learner needs and tailored instruction to support competency development and retention.
Lead Nurse, DON Creedmoor Unit
RHA Health Services
07.2009 - 05.2015
- Nursing Supervisor for Survey PoC, QI team, staff training; supervise LPNs in the medical/mental health/developmental disabilities area
- Oversaw staff training to ensure consistent and accurate teaching methods.
- Monitored employee health and managed health-related testing to ensure facility and state compliance; initiated and tracked disability and worker's comp claims per state requirements.
Research Nurse Clinician
DUMC Breast Oncology Research Group
06.2007 - 07.2009
- Assisted MD with the assignment of patients to clinical trials, consented patients to trials, maintained protocol compliance, interacted with the Data Manager to capture data promptly and accurately, and coordinated with corporate sponsors for monitoring.
- Coordinated breast oncology clinical trial visits, ensuring protocol adherence and accurate source documentation.
- Educated patients on study procedures, treatment plans, and follow-up requirements with clear, compassionate communication.
- Monitored adverse events and reported safety findings to investigators and study sponsors.
Contract Port Nurse/phlebotomy lab
Kelly Healthcare thru DUMC
10.2006 - 06.2007
Charge nurse and med nurse
John Umstead State Psychiatric facility
05.2005 - 01.2006
- Evaluated patients with psychological disorders and developed treatment plans.
Medical Assistant/Licensed Practical Nurse, NYS licensed
08.1991 - 12.2004
Medical Service Specialist/ Nationally Certified EMT; Med/Surg Inpatient/Emergency Department
USAF
08.1987 - 08.1991
Education
BSN degree - Nursing
Mansfield University
Mansfield, Pa12-2004
Skills
- Oncology navigation
- Care coordination
- Patient education
- Patient self-management
- Palliative care
- Psychosocial support
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Problem-solving abilities
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Patient and family advocacy
- Active listening techniques
- Self-motivation
Affiliations
ONS
Certification
- Registered Nurse BSN, RN, Lic. # 9606650, Fl
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- ONS/Oncology Nurse Certification, ID# 692766, 10/21/2022- Present
- Certified Hospice & Palliative Care Nurse, ID# HP0340044, 9/30/2023- Present
Timeline
Breast Oncology Nurse Navigator
Orlando Health Cancer Institute
07.2022 - Current
RN, Infusion Nurse/Radiation Oncology
Duke Raleigh Cancer Center
10.2016 - 05.2022
RN Unit Manager/Interim Director of Nursing
Hillside Nursing Center and Rehab
05.2016 - 10.2016
RN, Content Writer, Subject Matter Expert
Relias
06.2015 - 05.2016
Lead Nurse, DON Creedmoor Unit
RHA Health Services
07.2009 - 05.2015
Research Nurse Clinician
DUMC Breast Oncology Research Group
06.2007 - 07.2009
Contract Port Nurse/phlebotomy lab
Kelly Healthcare thru DUMC
10.2006 - 06.2007
Charge nurse and med nurse
John Umstead State Psychiatric facility
05.2005 - 01.2006
Medical Assistant/Licensed Practical Nurse, NYS licensed
08.1991 - 12.2004
Medical Service Specialist/ Nationally Certified EMT; Med/Surg Inpatient/Emergency Department
USAF
08.1987 - 08.1991
BSN degree - Nursing
Mansfield University
Personal Information
Title: BSN, RN, OCN, CHPN