Nurse Navigator - Pulmonary * Days - 40hrs/wk.

General Summary:

The Nurse Navigator functions as a member of a multidisciplinary team as an advocate, liaison, educator, and support across the continuum of care.  She/he is responsible for ensuring patients receive quality and comprehensive services. While She/he will serve as a clinical resource with expertise in care management, this position also assists with informed decision making; collaborating with other members of the team to allow for timely screening, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care throughout the patient experience.  The Nurse Navigator will provide individualized assistance to patients, families, and caregivers to help identify and overcome barriers that may hinder quality and timely care.  He/she will serve as a liaison throughout the facility and in the community regarding services provided for this unique patient population. He/she will provide expert nursing care, which includes: direct clinical practice, consultation, education and research. 

Requirements:

• Current RN License in the State of Michigan
• Bachelors of Science in Nursing, preferred
• Oncology Certified Nurse, preferred (if in Oncology Department)
• Three (3) years of clinical nursing experience
• Education and or experience in one or more of the following is preferred: Outcomes; data analysis, project management, education, case management, or utilization management
• Knowledge of nursing principles practices and process
• Knowledge of case management principles practices and process
• Knowledge of patient teaching principles practices and process
• Strong problem solving, decision making and critical thinking skills
• Excellent leadership, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills, and excellent interpersonal skills
• Must be able to work in a self-directed environment, with an ability to work with and lead teams
• Excellent presentation skills
• Microsoft Office competency

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Assists patients in understanding their diagnosis, treatment options, and the resources available, including educating eligible patients about appropriate clinical research studies and technologies.
2. Assesses the patient’s ability to navigate the increasingly complex healthcare continuum, assists in identifying potential barriers to timely and appropriate health care, and develops plan of care to overcome such barriers
3. Serves as a liaison between the patient and family, primary care physicians, internal and external care providers, specialists, and social services
4. Facilitates appointments for consults and support services within established service standards, including social workers, dietitians, physician, etc.
5. Assists in developing patient education programs and tools as needed
6. Follows patients throughout the care continuum, including inpatient admissions, and collaborate with inpatient care management resources as needed
7. Works with Registry staff and others to collect data, track outcomes, and support strategic planning processes
8. Establishes and promotes a collaborative relationship with physicians, other Nurse Navigators, payers, and other members of the healthcare team
9. Assists in direct patient care as necessary
10. Performs other duties as assigned.  These may include but are not limited to: Maintaining a current knowledge base of department processes, protocols and procedures, pursuing self-directed learning and continuing education opportunities, and participating on committees, task forces, and work groups as determined by management.