Clinical RN Navigator - Navigation Center

Central Health•Austin, TX

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Nurse Navigator guides patients through complex healthcare environments to optimize care and outcomes. The role works autonomously and collaboratively with other members of the healthcare team and is based in the Navigation Center, providing inbound and outbound call support. The Nurse Navigator helps patients access care, addresses barriers, schedules appointments, navigates referrals, refills medications, and tracks interventions and outcomes. The position uses nursing knowledge, skills, and compassion to help patients safely obtain advice and medical services. The Nurse Navigator collaborates with primary care, specialists, virtual care, home care, hospital teams, and other providers to coordinate care and support clinical outcomes. The role reviews patient progress, coordinates communication with physicians, educates patients and families, supports care transitions, assists with in-basket management and triage, and may review diagnostic imaging and lab results. The Navigator also participates in quality improvement, monitors performance measures with the Nurse Manager, and supports efforts to reduce avoidable emergency visits, admissions, and readmissions.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited school of nursing with at least an Associate’s degree.
At least two years of nursing experience in an ambulatory clinic and/or hospital setting.
Registered Nurse (RN) state licensure and/or compact state licensure.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification obtained through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
High degree of nursing knowledge and competency, including knowledge of documentation requirements.
Ability to work with medical and nursing staff to establish and maintain clinical and operational standards of practice.
Ability to work collaboratively with patients and service providers within and outside the facility.
Excellent customer service skills for telephone, email, and other electronic communications.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office software tools in a systems environment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
One year of Case Management or Navigation experience in a navigation center and/or ambulatory clinic setting.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the patient’s care team, including primary care, specialists, virtual care, home care, and hospital teams, to optimize clinical outcomes.
Review patients’ clinical progress and coordinate communication with referring, consulting, and primary care physicians.
Coordinate appointment scheduling as needed.
Assist with referrals and track referral and treatment outcomes.
Educate patients and family members about diagnoses, treatments, procedures, and medications.
Support transitions of care with medical home care management or Central Health case management teams, particularly for patients with complex health, social determinant, behavioral health, or frequent hospital utilization needs.
Support provider teams with in-basket management, medication refills, and timely patient triage in accordance with established protocols.
May review diagnostic imaging studies and lab values and notify providers about abnormal findings as appropriate.
Participate in continuous quality improvement projects to improve service quality for patients, families, and the healthcare system.
Work with the Nurse Manager to maintain awareness of performance indicators and coordinate interventions to prevent avoidable emergency visits, hospital admissions, and readmissions.
Attend staff meetings and educational offerings in person or via teleconference or online.
Support organizational initiatives that promote and maintain a positive workplace culture.
Perform other duties as assigned.