Nurse Navigator

Fox Valley Orthopaedic Associates•Geneva, IL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Nurse Navigator acts as a guide for patients within the healthcare system, assisting them through the entire process of diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up by coordinating care between different healthcare providers, educating patients about their condition, advocating for their needs.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school/college of nursing required.
Registered Nurse licensed in the State of Illinois or eligible compact state required.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
In-depth understanding of musculoskeletal disorders, surgical interventions, and non-surgical treatments.
Knowledge of surgical procedures, recovery protocols, pain management, wound care, and rehabilitation requirements.
Familiarity with patient navigation principles, discharge planning, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Understanding of adult learning principles and the ability to educate patients and families on orthopedic care.
Awareness of HIPAA and orthopedic-specific quality measures.
Basic knowledge of insurance processes, prior authorizations, and financial assistance programs.
Proficiency in documenting patient interactions and reviewing clinical notes in an HER system.
Ability to assess patient needs, identify complications, and provide appropriate interventions.
Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
Capacity to address patient concerns, provide emotional support, and ensure access to necessary resources.
Ability to anticipate challenges in patient care and implement effective solutions.
Skill in managing multiple patients, coordinating care plans, and keeping thorough records.
Ability to work with surgeons, physical therapists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.
Comfortable using medical software, patient portals, and telehealth platforms.
Ability to support patients through anxiety, fear, and complex decision-making.
Willingness to adjust to changing patient needs and hospital workflows.
Ensuring accuracy in patient records, education, and care coordination.
Confidence in taking the lead in patient care navigation and quality improvement projects.
Understanding and respecting diverse patient backgrounds and healthcare beliefs.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure healthcare environment while maintaining professionalism.

Nice To Haves

Bachelors preferred.
Orthopedic Nurse Certification (ONC) required within two (2) years of hire.
Three (3) plus years of experience of medical-surgical experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Educate patients and families about orthopedic conditions, surgical procedures, and post-operative care.
Provide pre-operative and post-operative guidance to help patients understand expectations and recovery timelines.
Address patient concerns and answer questions regarding treatment plans.
Serve as the primary point of contact for patients throughout their orthopedic care journey.
Coordinate appointments, imaging, and therapy sessions to ensure a seamless patient experience.
Work closely with surgeons, physical therapists, and other healthcare providers to optimize patient care plans.
Assist patients in overcoming barriers to care, such as transportation, insurance concerns, and access to rehabilitation services.
Advocate patient needs within the healthcare system and connect them to available resources.
Facilitate communication between the patient and multidisciplinary team members.
Conduct patient assessments to monitor progress, identify complications, and provide early interventions as needed.
Review and interpret clinical documentation to ensure proper follow-up care.
Support enhanced recovery protocols and patient-centered care initiatives.
Participate in hospital initiatives to improve orthopedic patient outcomes and experiences.
Collect and analyze data on patient outcomes to contribute to quality improvement efforts.
Develop patient education materials and programs to enhance care delivery.
Attend case conferences and interdisciplinary meetings to discuss patient progress and care strategies.
Partner with social workers, dietitians, and rehabilitation specialists to ensure holistic patient care.
Provide feedback to healthcare teams to improve service coordination and efficiency.
All other duties as assigned within scope and for which competency have been demonstrated.