What are the responsibilities and job description for the RN Orthopedic Nurse Navigator - FT position at Hamilton Medical Center Inc?
JOB SUMMARY
The Surgical Service Nurse Navigator is responsible and accountable for the provision of patient care to a culturally diverse patient population that would serve as a leader of the healthcare team by establishing an authentic personalized relationship with the patient and their support system. The RN possesses the knowledge and skills to effectively apply all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting to facilitate the effective implementation of health promotion and prevention practices. This RN manages complex patients, coordinates the patient plan of care, and communicates to various disciplines.
The Surgical Nurse Navigator is assigned to multiple surgical specialty sections (determined by surgical case workload) and will coordinate the care of the patient throughout the pre-operative process and facilitate communication between the pre-anesthesia providers, the surgical team and any consultants (medical specialist, case management, etc.) required to optimize the patient for surgery.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Associates Degree of Science in Nursing from an accredited School of Nursing, minimum. Bachelors Degree in Nursing, preferred.
Licensure: Registered Nurse currently licensed in the State of Georgia.
Certification: Surgery Specific Nurse Certification, preferred.
Experience: Minimum of 3 years clinical nursing experience with a minimum of two years of surgery specific experience. Computer skills and basic knowledge of statistics preferred.
Skills: Skills and duties include but are not limited to:
Coordinate and expedite pre-operative appointments.
Serve as a point of contact for the patient throughout the preoperative process.
Perform an initial and ongoing assessment of patients to identify needs, issues, resources and care goals.
Proactively anticipate patients' needs, identifying critical factors for achieving desired surgical outcomes.
Recognize complex situations that impact patient care and intervene, using sound judgment, professional knowledge and appropriate channels to resolve issues.
Documents all communication with patient and family.
Assesses patient needs and addresses in timely manner.
Assists with data collection.
Coordinates care with referring physicians to ensure no breakdown in communication.
Provides clinical support and resource assistance for staff, referring facilities, and physicians.
Works collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team.
Communicates patient care needs with physicians.
Conducts follow up phone calls to patients and family members.
Assists coders and documentation specialists as needed with queries regarding documentation or procedures.
Supports physicians and staff as needed to facilitate smooth procedure flow and processes.
Monitor the patient's progress through the pre-operative phase, keeping track of additional testing requirements and results and reporting these to the pre-anesthesia providers.
Function as a systems coordinator for the pre-operative phase, collaborating and communicating with the patient and care providers to evaluate and update changes in the pre-operative management. Keep the patients team aware of patient progress, issues, and/or problems that can delay surgery.
Advocate for fiscal responsibility in the management of care through effective utilization of resources.
Educate patients on pre-operative preparation and post-operative care to include but not limited to: Surgical Site Infections (SSI), Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI), Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI), Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol (ERAS) (as applicable to the surgical procedure).
Contact patients at specified time points with reminders of upcoming pre-operative testing, preparation, time of arrival, and notify patient of any changes in OR schedule, and follow up with a post-operative interview to quantify patient experience.
Utilize various tools such as database and dashboard to track patient, consults, tests and appointments, through the preoperative process.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a hospital environment. Frequent outpatient contact, travel, and community outreach service. Requires flexible work schedule to include holidays and possible evening hours as necessary to meet patient needs. Requires standing and walking for extensive periods of time. May require ability to turn and lift patients. Manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination is necessary. Requires working with computers and prolonged periods of time on the telephone.
