Navigator RN

Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center is an internationally recognized leader in research and clinical excellence that has given rise to breakthroughs in cardiovascular care neuroscience oncology transplantation and more. Our team’s efforts have led to the creation of many research programs and initiatives to develop advanced treatments found nowhere else in the world. In our commitment to advancing standards in an ever-evolving healthcare environment our new McNair Campus is designed around the human experience—modeled on evidence-based practices for the safety of patients visitors staff and physicians. The 27.5-acre campus represents the future of healthcare through a transformative alliance focused on leading-edge patient care research and education. Our strong alliance with Texas Heart® Institute and Baylor College of Medicine allows us to bring our patients a powerful network of care unlike any other. Our collaboration is focused on increasing access to care through a growing network of leading specialists and revolutionizing healthcare to save lives and improve the health of the communities we serve.

The Navigator RN functions as the primary point of contact for patients after their initial diagnosis. The role and responsibility is to effectively support the education of the patient and family about the disease, assist to coordinate care, advocate for and effectively access support services, and identify and resolve barriers which prevent optimal care to occur. Sustains the patient until they have sufficient knowledge and resources to self-direct care. Develops an effective relationship with both the patient and with the various members of the healthcare team to ensure a patient-centered care experience throughout the treatment processes. Coordinates information for the patient, significant others, and all providers to assist in decision-making processes, and Serves as a liaison between treatment program(s) and the referring physicians. Identifies quality metrics which assess processes and provide measurement to determine satisfaction with the program and identify improvements of the navigation initiatives. Also, collaborates with the service line and marketing team to promote the Navigator Program.


POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Performs case finding to ensure maximum number of patients are contacted during high stress points

2. Introduces the navigation services with intent to coordinate care, decrease potential barriers to care, and to assess potential additional resources to support needs of the patient or family

3. Initiates contact with all newly identified patients via face to face meeting, telephone, e-mail, or mail as soon possible, and completes the patient needs assessment within the required timeframe of initial patient contact

4. Educates patients/family on disease specifics, processes, and treatment options or appropriate clinical trials to enable patient-led treatment decisions

5. Establishes and Coordinates a supportive care plan with goals and interventions based upon treatment and individual patient/caregiver needs, preferences, beliefs, and values; and up- dates the plan as changes occur

6. Throughout the care continuum, identifies, advocates, and Coordinates patient access to community support services and System’s resources based upon identified recommendations from the healthcare team, patient needs, and/or insurance coverage

7. Schedules and Coordinates appointments/services for patients; streamlines care path transitions and logistical issues; Coordinates travel arrangements as needed

8. Advocates for disease survivors, co-survivors, and Implements survivorship activities

9. Ensures safe care to patients by adhering to established policies, procedures, and accuracy of practice

10. Remains up to date with advances in the assigned role, and integrates knowledge into on-going practices; attends and Participates in meetings, Multidisciplinary Boards, and other meetings deemed pertinent

Education and Licensure Required:

Bachelor's Degree - Nursing

Registered Nurse (RN)

Minimum Experience:
Three (3) years of patient care experience in Oncology

Experience in program development

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

*Able to communicate/advocate effectively with patients, families, physicians, and other health care team members
*Able to manage a team and work with others within a team to ensure quality patient care
*Strong critical thinking skills
*Demonstrated a high level of understanding of the illness and treatment modalities
*Demonstrated sensitivity in coordinating care for patients from a variety of ethnic, cultural, and social economic backgrounds, and with varied medical and developmental needs
*Knowledge of community resources, and how to access them effectively and efficiently
*Able to set priorities and meet deadlines
*Skilled in assessing and coordinating patient needs.