Registered Nurse Navigator

A Nurse Navigator works closely with primary care physicians and various specialty physicians and services to maximize the health status of patients. This position requires a high frequency of contact with the very high risk ACO patient and their care givers for education of health promotion and self care skills as well as facilitating compliance with the required quality measures for all ACO patients. A Patient Navigator will also ensure the coordination and communication of a patient's treatment plan and general status to all care givers during all transitions of care. This position requires advanced nursing knowledge and expertise to identify and implement improvement processes and the ability to direct and implement care coordination plans both in both in-patient and out-patient settings.Essential Generic Job Functions:Perform a needs assessment of very high risk patients (with their input) to maximize or improve current health status and independence while preventing or slowing deterioration of existing health problems.Ability to perform extensive telephone assessment and triage of patients.Able to review office charts to identify gaps in care and coordinate services and the care team to manage these issues.Utilize clinical tools such as protocols, physician orders, and care coordination models to maximize patient care. Work within the multi-disciplinary team to create new and update existing tools.Identify patient and care giver learning needs, assess their ability to learn, then formulate a comprehensive teaching program individual to that patients unique health issues.Work collaboratively with physicians to ensure patient adherence to medical plan, including all appropriate preventative and disease-specific screenings, interventions, and treatment goals including self-management goals.When necessary or as directed, travel to patient locations such as hospital, skilled nursing facility, etc. to assess patient needs and status.Assist patients and their care givers in obtaining referrals to a specific specialist. Communicate with referring physician offices as required to optimize patient care, decrease costs and increase patient satisfaction. Track these visits for High Risk population.Facilitate communication of patient status and plan of care during transitional experiences such as home to hospital, hospital to post acute care facility, and back to home. The Navigator will communicate with the primary physician, patient or care giver, and any transitional care staff that are available, such as Hospitalists, Case Managers, Social Workers, etc.Become familiar with and utilize the services and programs in the community to support and assist patients at home.Monitor that appropriate home care, hospice and other ancillary services are in place and are being delivered as directed by the care team.Monitor and facilitate compliance with required quality measures for all ACO patients.Flexibility in work schedule to accommodate needs of patient and care givers.Knowledge, Education, Skills Required:1 year of related nursing experience, a BSN and valid NJ Registered Nursing License.Highly developed interpersonal skills including motivational interviewing skills, in order to interact effectively and motivate patients to change behavior when necessary.Must be proficient at multi-tasking and prioritization working in a high volume environment with little supervision.Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.Excellent analytical and deduction skills.Good reasoning and problem solving ability and be able to take initiative in finding solutions to difficult and/or sensitive problems.Must be organized and able to multi-task.Ability to work in stressful situations and be flexible to accommodate patient and family needs.Demonstrated proficiency and comfort with PC and Microsoft office skills.Experience in a variety of patient settings is recommended.