Nurse Navigator
Location: Geneva, Illinois
Status: Full-Time (40 Hours/Week)
Days/Hours: Monday-Friday: Five 8-Hour Shifts
Salary Range (depending on experience): $91,000 - $104,00/year
Summary
The Nurse Navigator acts as a guide for patients within the healthcare system, assisting them through the entire process of diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up by coordinating care between different healthcare providers, educating patients about their condition, advocating for their needs.
Education:
Graduate of an accredited school/college of nursing required. Bachelors preferred.
Licensure:
Registered Nurse licensed in the State of Illinois or eligible compact state required.
Certification:
- Orthopedic Nurse Certification (ONC) required within two (2) years of hire.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
Experience:
Three (3) plus years of experience of medical-surgical experience preferred.
Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- In-depth understanding of musculoskeletal disorders, surgical interventions, and non-surgical treatments.
- Knowledge of surgical procedures, recovery protocols, pain management, wound care, and rehabilitation requirements.
- Familiarity with patient navigation principles, discharge planning, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
- Understanding of adult learning principles and the ability to educate patients and families on orthopedic care.
- Awareness of HIPAA and orthopedic-specific quality measures.
- Basic knowledge of insurance processes, prior authorizations, and financial assistance programs.
- Proficiency in documenting patient interactions and reviewing clinical notes in an HER system.
- Ability to assess patient needs, identify complications, and provide appropriate interventions.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
- Capacity to address patient concerns, provide emotional support, and ensure access to necessary resources.
- Ability to anticipate challenges in patient care and implement effective solutions.
- Skill in managing multiple patients, coordinating care plans, and keeping thorough records.
- Ability to work with surgeons, physical therapists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.
- Comfortable using medical software, patient portals, and telehealth platforms.
- Ability to support patients through anxiety, fear, and complex decision-making.
- Willingness to adjust to changing patient needs and hospital workflows.
- Ensuring accuracy in patient records, education, and care coordination.
- Confidence in taking the lead in patient care navigation and quality improvement projects.
- Understanding and respecting diverse patient backgrounds and healthcare beliefs. Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure healthcare environment while maintaining professionalism.
Essential Job Functions:
- Educate patients and families about orthopedic conditions, surgical procedures, and post-operative care.
- Provide pre-operative and post-operative guidance to help patients understand expectations and recovery timelines.
- Address patient concerns and answer questions regarding treatment plans.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for patients throughout their orthopedic care journey.
- Coordinate appointments, imaging, and therapy sessions to ensure a seamless patient experience.
- Work closely with surgeons, physical therapists, and other healthcare providers to optimize patient care plans.
- Assist patients in overcoming barriers to care, such as transportation, insurance concerns, and access to rehabilitation services.
- Advocate patient needs within the healthcare system and connect them to available resources.
- Facilitate communication between the patient and multidisciplinary team members.
- Conduct patient assessments to monitor progress, identify complications, and provide early interventions as needed.
- Review and interpret clinical documentation to ensure proper follow-up care.
- Support enhanced recovery protocols and patient-centered care initiatives.
- Participate in hospital initiatives to improve orthopedic patient outcomes and experiences.
- Collect and analyze data on patient outcomes to contribute to quality improvement efforts.
- Develop patient education materials and programs to enhance care delivery.
- Attend case conferences and interdisciplinary meetings to discuss patient progress and care strategies.
- Partner with social workers, dietitians, and rehabilitation specialists to ensure holistic patient care.
- Provide feedback to healthcare teams to improve service coordination and efficiency.
- All other duties as assigned within scope and for which competency have been demonstrated.
Benefits
- BCBS Medical
- Dental & Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Holiday Pay
- 401k/Profit Sharing
- Annual CME Allowance
- Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Various voluntary benefits