Pulmonary Sleep Navigator

Job Description

Job Description

Description :

The Pulmonary Sleep Navigator is a healthcare professional, often a respiratory therapist, who acts as a patient advocate, guiding individuals with sleep disorders related to sleep and lung issues (like sleep apnea) through the healthcare system by providing education, coordinating appointments, addressing concerns, and ensuring they receive appropriate treatment and follow-up care, all while navigating potential barriers like insurance or access to necessary equipment; essentially acting as a dedicated point of contact for patients throughout their sleep disorder journey.

Essential Functions :

Key responsibilities of a pulmonary sleep navigator may include :

• Patient education :

Thoroughly explaining sleep disorders, treatment options, lifestyle modifications, and proper use of sleep devices like CPAP machines and Inspire Implant.

Scheduling appointments with sleep specialists, pulmonologists, ENT and other healthcare providers as needed, ensuring smooth transition between different stages of care.

For Inspire implant patients the navigator’s interventions will include therapy education, appointment reminders, device interrogation / reprogramming, activation and navigating the Sleep Lab / Specialty Clinic as well as the Inspire Care Pathway.

The navigator will be a patient liaison with both the Sleep and ENT care team ensuring open lines of communication between the two teams

Checking in with patients to assess their compliance with treatment plans, addressing any concerns or barriers they may face with the CPAP or Inspire implant.

The navigator will also work alongside the Medical Equipment Store staff to help Instruct new patients on pap device use and how to properly fit CPAP mask. Infection control, warranty of the device and CPAP supply replacement.

Provides mask fitting sessions during clinic hours based on clinic / patient need with documentation in EMR communicating recommendations to physician and placing DME orders per patient need / approval, documentation in the cloud database of pap device

Proactively contacting patients to remind them of appointments, check on their progress, and provide ongoing support.

Additional Responsibilities :

Data collection and reporting :

Maintaining patient records, tracking key metrics related to sleep quality and treatment

effectiveness, and reporting findings to the healthcare team. Maintaining and Tracking

quality assurance data.

Provides mask fitting sessions during clinic hours based on clinic / patient need with documentation in EMR communicating recommendations to physician and placing DME orders per patient need / approval, documentation in the cloud database of pap device

Requirements :

Education, Qualifications, Experience :

Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential is often preferred but may vary depending on the healthcare

setting. Previous experience in sleep or durable medical Equipment is also preferred.

Maintain current BLS certification for the health care provider (with AED training).

Personal Characteristics :

Excellent ability to explain complex medical information clearly and effectively to patients.

Communicate well with physicians, clinical staff as well as with office staff

Demonstrated ability to advocate for patient needs and navigate the healthcare system on their behalf.

Efficiently managing patient schedules, coordinating care, and maintaining accurate documentation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Clinical expertise :

Strong knowledge of sleep disorders, respiratory physiology, and pulmonary conditions.

Strong knowledge of pap equipment and supplies preferred

Equipment :

Strong knowledge of pap equipment and supplies

Troubleshoot problems with PAP equipment

Knowledge of oxygen equipment and supplies

Computer knowledge such as excel, word, email