RN - Patient Navigator

Job Title: RN - Patient Navigator
Job Location: Hackensack, NJ
Job Duration: 5-6 Months (possibility of extension)
Shift: Monday & Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm, Tuesday or Thursday 9am-1pm
Payrate: $45 - $50/ hr. on w2

Job Summary:

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

Duties and Responsibilities:

• 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 physician’s 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.

Required Education:

• RN, (Associates, Diploma, BSN).

Required Certifications & Licensure:

• NJ Licensure Nursing.

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:

• Must have 2-3 years of experience.
• Strong understanding of surgical workflows and medical terminology. Helping patients and families with care navigation.
• Gastroenterology/Colorectal Experience, Surgical Experience Preferred.
• EPIC knowledge, Triaging & Answering Clinical Calls.