Patient Care Unit Navigator

I. GENERAL SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, the PCS Patient Navigator advocates on behalf of the patient to assist in providing an integrative approach to transition of care. The PCS Patient Navigator assists patients with arranging follow-up appointments with their physicians as well as scheduling any tests that need to be arranged on an outpatient basis. The PCS Patient Navigator assists those patients who have no Primary Care Physician (PCP) to identify a PCP for follow-up. These duties are to be performed in a highly confidential manner, in accordance with the mission, values and behaviors of Mercy Hospital and Medical Center.

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II. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Schedules all physician appointments, tests and procedures, and updates discharge

information in MAPS as needed: Helps patients without a PCP to identify a physician

for post hospital care, considers patient preferences (language, gender, office

locations); ensures clinician assignment for follow-up; sends info to Case Management,

updates Medicare messages.

15% of Time

2. Serves as the hub of unit communication for the healthcare team: Serves as unit

receptionist; handles professional telephone etiquette; maintains tracking logs; enters

assignments in Opti Link; notifies Admitting of direct arrivals; pages physicians.

answers patient call system; coordinates with nurses, residents, and environmental

services.

5% of Time

3. Maintains the paper components of medical records in an organized manner:

Manages the paper portion of the medical record and patient labels; maintains MAPS

downtime patient packets.

5% of Time

4. Maintains the fiscal integrity of the unit and hospital by ordering and using supplies

appropriately: Checks stock regularly for weekends/holidays; utilizes PMM system.

notifies director of supply problems; enters charges for patient care.

5% of Time

5. Additional Duties and Responsibilities: Ensures care incorporates attributes of

Careful Nursing (trustworthy collaboration, health education, safety/comfort,

participatory management); carries out other assigned duties. 

Total 100%

IV. JOB SPECIFICATIONS

A. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge/Education: High School Diploma required.
• Preferred Education: Two to four years college education preferred.
• Experience: Previous Patient Navigator or Unit Secretary experience preferred.
• Technical Familiarity: Familiarity with insurance verification, scheduling, pre-registration, and medical terminology preferred.
• Required Skills: Basic computer skills required; must be able to type 30 words per minute.
• Language: Bilingual candidate preferred.
• Abilities: Demonstrates excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills; ability to maintain high accuracy with a large volume of patients.