Care Navigator-RN

GENERAL SUMMARY

Supports and promotes the continuum of care for their patient population. Provides individualized assistance to patients, families, and caregivers to promote optimal outcomes. Works collaboratively with physicians, staff, and other providers across the care continuum.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs, and consistently demonstrates our core values.
2. Collaborates with other healthcare professionals, including post-acute facilities and providers, to develop a plan and facilitate referrals to address needs and barriers.
3. Facilitates the coordination of patient care services to assure timeliness and excellence in patient care, including coordination of services, treatment, and communication among the medical team.
4. Facilitates development, implementation, and adherence to clinical and evidence-based guidelines as appropriate to ensure optimal clinical outcomes.
5. Identifies and addresses barriers to timely and appropriate diagnosis and treatment, connects patients with the appropriate healthcare and community resources.
6. Builds therapeutic and trusting relationships with patients, families, and caregivers through effective communication and listening skills.
7. Provides anticipatory guidance, education, and psychosocial support throughout the care continuum.
8. Communicates with patients throughout the continuum of care via face-to-face, telephonic, electronic, etc. as appropriate.
9. Maintains patient records accurately, completely, timely, and confidentially according to procedures. Documents patient encounters and provided services.
10. Serves as an expert-level care navigator and RN resource and provides assistance to the care team.
11. Assists in the identification and reporting of quality issues and contributes to the performance improvement plan to assess and improve the quality and efficiency of the program, including but not limited to quality assessment recommendations for program improvement and patient outcomes measures.
12. Exhibits behaviors and actions which create a high level of patient/customer satisfaction, which contributes to positive patient/customer relations and which reflect respect for the patients/customers rights, needs, and confidentiality.
13. Ensures all patient care is provided in accordance with regulatory and safety requirements, which may include Joint Commission, OSHA, state, and federal regulations.
14. Assumes responsibility for professional growth and development by staying current in the field by reading related professional literature and undergoing professional educational efforts.
15. Utilizes nursing judgment and complex assessment and critical thinking skills at the level of licensure to provide comprehensive care and support to patients.
16. Utilizes the nursing process to perform care navigator tasks and provide the highest quality care to patients.
17. Establishes and coordinates workflows and participates in best practice initiatives.
18. Guides LPN Care Navigators in the care of complex patients.
19. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of the latest trends in the field of expertise.
20. Participates in meetings, committees, and department projects as assigned.
21. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

*Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk. Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions. Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

1. Maintains clinical competency as required for position, including but not limited to age-specific competencies relative to patients growth and development needs and annual skill competency verification.
2. Knowledge of nursing theory and practice, including leadership skills.
3. Knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the human life span.
4. Knowledge of computer hardware, equipment, and software applications relevant to work functions.
5. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with healthcare team members, physicians, and diverse patient populations.
6. Ability to analyze information, understand statistics, and provide input into the development of policies and procedures.
7. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
8. Ability to operate patient therapeutic equipment and/or machines as relevant to work duties.
9. Ability to balance and prioritize diverse management and clinical responsibilities.
10. Ability to assess and interpret data reflective of the patients status to identify each patients requirements relative to their age-specific needs and provide necessary care.
11. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel and medical staff.
12. Ability to problem-solve and engage independent critical thinking skills.
13. Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.
14. Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.
15. Ability to provide instruction and direction to others.
16. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Current Registered Nurse licensure from the State of Nebraska or approved compact state of residence as defined by the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act is required. BSN is required in lieu of a BSN, three years of nursing experience is required. Masters of Nursing is preferred. Minimum of three years recent clinical experience in the area of assigned specialty (Oncology, Orthopedics, etc.).

OTHER CREDENTIALS & CERTIFICATIONS

Basic Life Support CPR certification is required. Bryan Health recognizes American Heart Association for healthcare professionals, American Red Cross for healthcare professionals, and the Military Training Network.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions. DOT - Characterized as light work requiring exertion up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.