Nurse Navigator

Nurse Navigator

Location: Geneva, Illinois
Status: Full-Time (40 Hours/Week)
Days/Hours: Monday-Friday: Five 8-Hour Shifts
Salary Range (depending on experience): $91,000 - $104,00/year

Summary

The Nurse Navigator acts as a guide for patients within the healthcare system, assisting them through the entire process of diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up by coordinating care between different healthcare providers, educating patients about their condition, advocating for their needs.

Education:

Graduate of an accredited school/college of nursing required. Bachelors preferred.

Licensure:

Registered Nurse licensed in the State of Illinois or eligible compact state required.

Certification:

- Orthopedic Nurse Certification (ONC) required within two (2) years of hire.

- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.

Experience:

Three (3) plus years of experience of medical-surgical experience preferred.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• In-depth understanding of musculoskeletal disorders, surgical interventions, and non-surgical treatments.
• Knowledge of surgical procedures, recovery protocols, pain management, wound care, and rehabilitation requirements.
• Familiarity with patient navigation principles, discharge planning, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Understanding of adult learning principles and the ability to educate patients and families on orthopedic care.
• Awareness of HIPAA and orthopedic-specific quality measures.
• Basic knowledge of insurance processes, prior authorizations, and financial assistance programs.
• Proficiency in documenting patient interactions and reviewing clinical notes in an HER system.
• Ability to assess patient needs, identify complications, and provide appropriate interventions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
• Capacity to address patient concerns, provide emotional support, and ensure access to necessary resources.
• Ability to anticipate challenges in patient care and implement effective solutions.
• Skill in managing multiple patients, coordinating care plans, and keeping thorough records.
• Ability to work with surgeons, physical therapists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.
• Comfortable using medical software, patient portals, and telehealth platforms.
• Ability to support patients through anxiety, fear, and complex decision-making.
• Willingness to adjust to changing patient needs and hospital workflows.
• Ensuring accuracy in patient records, education, and care coordination.
• Confidence in taking the lead in patient care navigation and quality improvement projects.
• Understanding and respecting diverse patient backgrounds and healthcare beliefs. Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure healthcare environment while maintaining professionalism.

Essential Job Functions:

• Educate patients and families about orthopedic conditions, surgical procedures, and post-operative care.
• Provide pre-operative and post-operative guidance to help patients understand expectations and recovery timelines.
• Address patient concerns and answer questions regarding treatment plans.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for patients throughout their orthopedic care journey.
• Coordinate appointments, imaging, and therapy sessions to ensure a seamless patient experience.
• Work closely with surgeons, physical therapists, and other healthcare providers to optimize patient care plans.
• Assist patients in overcoming barriers to care, such as transportation, insurance concerns, and access to rehabilitation services.
• Advocate patient needs within the healthcare system and connect them to available resources.
• Facilitate communication between the patient and multidisciplinary team members.
• Conduct patient assessments to monitor progress, identify complications, and provide early interventions as needed.
• Review and interpret clinical documentation to ensure proper follow-up care.
• Support enhanced recovery protocols and patient-centered care initiatives.
• Participate in hospital initiatives to improve orthopedic patient outcomes and experiences.
• Collect and analyze data on patient outcomes to contribute to quality improvement efforts.
• Develop patient education materials and programs to enhance care delivery.
• Attend case conferences and interdisciplinary meetings to discuss patient progress and care strategies.
• Partner with social workers, dietitians, and rehabilitation specialists to ensure holistic patient care.
• Provide feedback to healthcare teams to improve service coordination and efficiency.
• All other duties as assigned within scope and for which competency have been demonstrated.

Benefits

• BCBS Medical
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Holiday Pay
• 401k/Profit Sharing
• Annual CME Allowance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Various voluntary benefits