RN - Patient Navigator

Duties:

Job Summary:
The Patient Navigator, Surgery is an advocate and educator for the patient, as well as family members through the Surgery/cancer continuum.

Essential Job Functions:
-Treats all patients with dignity and professionalism.
-Provides competent clinical care to patients during office visits. Is considered a content expert in the specialty practice in which they are responsible.
-Facilitates communication between patients and healthcare providers.
-Provides education and educational resources to patients and their families.
-Greets patients courteously and efficiently processes their information.
-Completes physicians orders accurately and thoroughly.
-Guides assigned patients through the health care system and is a strong patient advocate.
-Supports the patient and family in coping with the psychological aspects of cancer.
-Coordinates appointments with providers for timely delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic services while accommodating the patient as much as possible.
-Answers patient telephone calls. Correctly processes information for appointment scheduling, answers questions, and assists with problem solving.
-This includes but is not limited to triaging emergent/urgent phone calls, inquiries related to the availability of appointments, scheduled appointment dates and times, and general practice information.
-If necessary, transfers calls to an appropriate person or department to assist the patient.
-Communicates with physicians in a professional manner.
-Relays messages to clinicians and follows-up as indicated.
-Ensures all materials, including films, pathology reports, and laboratory reports necessary for each new patient visit are available for clinicians prior to appointments, if requested.
-Advises patients about what to do with records and forms they must bring to the visit.
-Accurately and efficiently prepares all new patient records as dictated by practice standards.
-Elicits patient clinical information to allow for appropriate scheduling of referrals.
-Encourages referrals and schedules new appointments as indicated based on clinical presentation, within established protocols, or as dictated by the physician.
-If next available appointment exceeds reasonable timeframe, investigates scheduling options with supervisor. Follows-up with patient and physician as appropriate.
-Actively identifies and addresses barriers to care that might keep the patient from receiving timely and appropriate treatment.
-Connects patients with resources and social support systems.
-Helps patients identify and access financial services to pay for health care needs.
-When appropriate, works with investigators and other members of the clinical research team to identify patients as potential research subjects for available clinical trials.
-Networks and cultivates relationships with hospital and community services.
-Provides community education to raise public awareness.
-Participates in practice hours and any and all practice locations as needed.

Skills:

Required Skills & Experience:
-5 years nursing experience in related field (Surgery/Oncology).
-Good computer skills.
-Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
-Strong organizational skills.
-Strong critical thinking skills.

Preferred Skills & Experience:
-N/A