What are the responsibilities and job description for the Patient Care Navigator position at Kahuku Medical Center?
Position: Patient Care Navigator
Department: Clinic at KMC
Status: Full-Time, Non-Bargaining
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Position Purpose:
The Patient Care Navigator (PCN) has duties and responsibilities related to patient care in the ambulatory clinic environment. Under general supervision, provides clinical office support to ensure patient satisfaction, coordinate referrals, provide a significant level of patient education related to their illness and planned treatment. Provides coordinated care by developing, monitoring and evaluating care related to Patient Centered Medical Home and Meaningful Use measures. The individual displays responsible behaviors, communicates effectively to others and functions as a member of the healthcare team. The PCN functions under the direct supervision and authority of the physician when performing clinical tasks during patient care.
The PCN must demonstrate competency in all skills related to the performance of patient care.
Essential Functions:
- Works closely with physicians/providers to coordinate patient care plan communication; works with multidisciplinary team to maintain and implement up-to-date coordinated care plan; communicates with all members of the healthcare team on behalf of the patient.
- Uses clinical protocols to refer patients to appropriate specialist for diagnosis or treatment as assists patients and their families in obtaining referrals to needed specialists.
- Works with designated physicians/providers to develop and maintain clinical protocols.
- Proactively develops and enhances processes with the goal of improving the clinical experience for patients.
- Monitors delivery of care and identifies progress toward desired care outcomes including Patient Centered Medical Home and Meaningful Use measures; intervening to overcome deviations in the expected plan of care; reviewing the care plan with patients in conjunction with the direct care providers; interacting with involved departments to negotiate and expedite scheduling and completion of tests, procedures, and consults.
- Evaluates outcomes of care with the interdisciplinary team by measuring intervention effectiveness with the team; implementing team recommendations.
- Orients and educates patients and their families by meeting with them at discharge; explaining the role of the patient care navigator; initiating the care plan at discharge; providing educational information in conjunction with direct care providers related to treatments, procedures, medications, continued follow-up and continuing care requirements.
- May obtain revenue at discharge by recording and updating financial information; recording and collecting patient charges; controlling credit extended to patients; collecting, and expediting third-party claims
- Researches and resolves patient referral problems; tracks referral practice patterns.
- Maintains safe, secure, and healthy work environment by following, and enforcing standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations.
- Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping patient care information confidential.
- Serves and protects the physician or health care provider practice by adhering to professional standards, policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards.
- Helps patients in distress by responding to emergencies.
Job Qualifications/Experience/Skills:
- Bachelors and 2 years of clinical experience, preferably in providing case management and quality improvement or
- 5 years of clinical experience, preferably in providing case management and quality improvement
- Current CPR certification
- Medical Terminology & Electronic Medical Record Experience
- Knowledge of clinic billing procedures desirable
- Understanding of specialty referral process
- Understanding of Patient Centered Medical Home and meaningful use measures
- Must be able to understand, write and speak fluent English
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged sitting with frequent standing and walking.
- Pushing up to 25 pounds, occasional carrying up to 10 pounds.
- Continuous use of corrected vision
- High concentration and alertness levels.
- Ability to read and write legibly and make basic arithmetical computations.
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required doing this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
