Nurse Navigator

Description

ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION

The Nurse Navigator will work with the patient and members of the clinical care team to help navigate their way to timely and quality care and to assist in overcoming any barriers to care. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of patient care through interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaboration to achieve optimal patient outcomes. 

INTERACTION

Primarily Interacts with: administration, physicians, employees, clinical and non-clinical departments, patients, visitors, and volunteers.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

• Provide care in accordance with the current State of Texas Nurse Practice Act, established protocols, multidisciplinary plan of care, and clinical area-specific standards in all nursing areas of the Surgical Services department including PACU or OR as assigned.
• Serve as a liaison between patient and clinical staff, administration, physicians, managed care companies, and community/external resources to coordinate/maximize resources and identify/resolve barriers to the plan of care including patient financial responsibility.
• Coordinate efforts for treatment between clinical offices and surgery services ensuring smooth transitions.
• Review clinical progress of patients and coordinate communication to referring, consulting physicians, notifying the physician and/or anesthesiology if there is a clinically abnormal finding.
• Function as a clinical advocate and educator for patients.
• Empower and educate patients to make informed medical decisions.
• Assist patients in accessing their care and navigating healthcare systems.
• Provide patients and families evidence-based information and refer to providers for questions about clinical information, treatment choices, and potential outcomes.
• Assist with the coordination of appointments, testing, and procedural care.
• Provide exemplary customer service.
• Maintain confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA.
• Cooperate with other personnel to achieve departmental objectives and maintain good employee relations, inter-departmental objectives, and infection control policies.
• Cordially demonstrate timeliness and professionalism in appearance, communications, and actions during all interactions and with all individuals and entities.
• Solve practical problems, dealing with a variety of issues, and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written and oral form.
• Attend meetings as required.
• Perform other duties as requested or assigned.

ABILITY TO USE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, MATERIALS, MACHINES: Computer, telephone, facsimile machine, copier, scanner, printer, calculator, and other standard office equipment. Blood Pressure Cuffs, stethoscope, syringes, IV pumps, feeding pumps, beds, scales, lifts, hyper/hypothermia units, glucose monitors, PCA pumps, suction equipment, ventilators, crash cart, miscellaneous medical equipment, and DME.

Requirements

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

Education:

• Associate degree in nursing required; bachelor degree in nursing preferred
• Valid RN license in Texas or compact RN license
• BLS/ACLS required within 31 days of hire

Experience:

• One-year nursing experience required.

Personal Job-Related Skills / Abilities:

• Must be committed to quality and patient safety at all times.
• Excellent command / highly proficient in spoken and written English; bilingual in Spanish preferred.
• Basic computer skills, including but not limited to: Microsoft Office, electronic medical documentation, and email.
• Must be effective at adjusting to change, prioritizing duties, handling stress, and effectively communicating face-to-face and/or over the telephone.
• Must be able to work independently, and flexibly, and as a part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Must be able to manage several interruptions throughout the shift.
• Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written.
• Must have strong time management skills.
• Must be able to work under pressure while interacting in a helpful, courteous manner with a high degree of patient contact.
• Sufficient hearing, vision, and dexterity to perform duties safely.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Physical:     

• Activity Up to %  
• Walking 80   
• Squatting 40
• Standing 80   
• Pulling 25 
• Kneeling 50   
• Reaching 50 
• Sitting 20   
• Lifting up to 50 lbs 25 
• Pushing 25  
• Wrist/Finger Movements 90 
• Bending 50   
• Climbing 1    

Mental:     

• Stress Level Moderate to High 

• Individual position core competencies:
• Quality
• Service Excellence
• Compassion
• Professionalism
• Fiscal Responsibility

• Required education within first 60 days (if employee is from outside organization).
• GrahamRMC Orientation
• Department Orientation

• Continuing/Annual Education and Training:
• As needed to maintain certification/ licensure of position
• BLS/ACLS
• CheckPointe

SUPERVISION

Employees Supervised: __No__ 

ADA REQUIREMENTS

An ‘X’ under the most appropriate category is marked and describes any extreme or hazardous working conditions that the job has to work under:

Frequency of Condition

1-33% + Description

Extreme Heat X   

Extreme Cold X   

Extreme Swings in Temperature X   

Extreme Noise X   

Working Outdoors X   

Mechanical Hazards X   

Electrical Hazards X   

Explosive Hazards X   

Fume/Odor Hazards X   

Dust/Mite Hazards X   

Chemical Hazards X   

Toxic Waste Hazards X   

Radiation Hazards X   

Wet Hazards X   

Heights X   

Other Conditions X   

34-66% 

-

67%+ Description

Working Indoors X 

OSHA Classification:

• Identify with a check the OSHA Job Category that describes this job. The intent is to enhance worker protection by identifying any risk in the performance of routine and reasonably anticipated job-related functions.

__X__ Category I: Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.

All procedures or other job-related tasks involve an inherent potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues or a potential for spills or splashes of them are Category I tasks. Use of appropriate protective measures, such as gloves, masks, goggles, and gowns are required for every employee engaged in Category I tasks.