General Summary of PositionThe Nurse Navigator is responsible for the coordination of patient care across the continuum under the auspices of a provider's prescribed plan of care, national guidelines, and within the scope of nursing practice. The navigator educates/provides information and support to patients in order to guide and facilitate understanding of treatment plans prescribed by licensed independent practitioners and/or within scope of nursing practice. Oversees, directs, and provides holistic, culturally competent and evidence-based nursing care. Monitors patient outcomes and participates in quality improvement activities. Contributes to and collaborates with health care team members to positively impact patient outcomes and patient experiences. The Nurse Navigator is recognized as a professional role model and clinical expert and promotes a professional environment that supports nursing excellence and collaborative shared decision-making.
Primary Duties and ResponsibilitiesAssessment: Obtains a baseline of information used for the development of the individualized plan of care.Plans: Works with an interdisciplinary team throughout the continuum of care to develop and manage the plan of care for the patient.Plans: Assists patient/family with scheduling ancillary testing and other services and presenting necessary history, diagnostic/treatment studies and/or results, etc. through the continuum of care.Plans: Assists at risk" patients, family and friends with risk assessment, screening and education by working collaboratively with appropriate resources.Plans: Plans for continuing care such as, but not limited to, patient and community services, community outreach resources, home care, palliative, and hospice services as necessary.Patient Education: Provides initial and continuing education related to specific disease process, associated treatment modality, and agreed plan of care for patient and family.Patient Education: Available as a resource to assist in the provision of community education and outreach development.Implementation: Acts as a liaison between patients, families, the health care team, community resources and other facilities to coordinate the provision of care.Implementation: Acts as a patient advocate to help identify and eliminate barriers to care.Implementation: Acts as a clearinghouse for incoming referral calls in an effort to streamline the delivery and coordination of care.Implementation: Ensures patients' referral process and transition into specialty services are timely and efficient, anticipates patient and family needs throughout the continuum of care.Implementation: Explores and connects patients with appropriate resources, health care and support services within MedStar Washington Hospital Center, at other external facilities, and in their communities for timely diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.Takes action to support the National Patient Safety Goals, nursing sensitive indicators, regulatory requirements (i.e. DC Health, TJC) and other identified quality metrics.Supports and promotes quality and patient safety initiatives. Collaborates with physicians and associates to monitor and analyzes departmental performance data and identifies and participates in hospital and/or unit-based performance improvement activities including, but not limited to, core measures, nursing quality indicators, and other patient care outcomes (e.g. Length of stay and patient satisfaction).*Delivers direct patient care as required.Evaluation: Monitors patient progress, goal attainment and patient experience feedback to evaluate the effectiveness of care. Ensures plan of care changes are communicated to patient, family, and team.Possesses working knowledge of physician/health care team members' plan of care, appropriate professional guidelines and standards of care. Contributes to development of internal clinical guidelines/pathways.Monitors patient outcomes and utilizes quality improvement activities and strategies that support quality patient care and optimizes outcomes in an interdisciplinary care environment and consistent with patient and family wishes.Demonstrates competencies, including knowledge and behaviors, to meet specific patient care requirements, nursing practice standards, and other regulatory or required knowledge and /or skills. Maintains current knowledge of clinical improvement strategies and outcomes management through self-study, literature reviews, site visits, educational conferences, and other forums.Maintains a working knowledge of available clinical trials that might be appropriate to the patient population. Collaborates with research coordinators and/or principle investigators to ensure adherence to research protocols.Supports a professional atmosphere and an environment of coaching and development that supports shared decision making, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a high level of patient and employee satisfaction as evidenced by outcomes data.Promotes Pathway to Excellence standards through daily practice.
Minimum QualificationsEducationAssociate's degree in Nursing required Bachelor's degree in Nursing preferred For candidates hired with an Associate degree, employment with MedStar Wahington Hospital Center is contingent upon enrollment into an accredited BSN program within one (1) year of employment and continuing matriculation in the program to achieve a BSN within 5 years of the program start date. Proof of enrollment to be submitted to Nurse Leader.
Experience3-4 years of progressively more responsible clinical nursing experience in specialty area required
Licenses and CertificationsRN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure in the District of Columbia required CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days required Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit. Professional certification in clinical area required within one year of hire if appropriate (OCN, CCRN, etc). within 1 Year required
Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesAble to work as a part of an interdisciplinary team through open, frequent, and skilled verbal and written communication. Must be flexible, demonstrate problem solving skills, proactively prioritize and demonstrates healthy coping mechanisms.
This position has a hiring range of $87,318 - $157,289