Patient Navigator, ENT - Physician Practice

Hackensack Meridian Health•Hackensack, NJ

42d

About The Position

The Patient Navigator, Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery is an advocate and educator for the patient, as well as family members through the Surgery/cancer continuum. The Patient Navigator for Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery is a professional, registered nurse and a speech language pathologist, who serves as a dedicated advocate, educator, and single point of contact for patients and their families throughout the complex care continuum. This role focuses on patients diagnosed with benign and malignant conditions of the head and neck, guiding them from the point of initial diagnosis through surgical and medical treatment, into recovery and survivorship. The Navigator is an integral member of the multidisciplinary care team. They work to eliminate barriers to timely care, facilitate communication between the patient and providers, and empower patients with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions and navigate their treatment journey with confidence and reduced anxiety. The ultimate goal of this role is to enhance the patient experience, improve clinical outcomes, and ensure seamless coordination of care.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree.
Minimum two (2) years as a Speech Language Pathologist.
Proficient Computer Skills that may include but are not limited to to Google Suite Platforms.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational skills and critical thinking skills.
Must be organized and have the ability to multitask working in a fast paced environment.
Must have the ability to work independently, but also in a team environment.
Speech Language Pathology License.

Nice To Haves

Two (2) years of experience working with head and neck cancer patients.
Experience with EPIC record system.

Responsibilities

Treats all patients with dignity and professionalism.
Provides competent clinical care to patients during visits and is considered a content expert in the specialty practice in which they are responsible.
Facilitates communication between patients and healthcare providers.
Provides education and educational resources to patients and their families.
Greets patients courteously and efficiently processes their information.
Completes physician's orders accurately and thoroughly.
Guides assigned patients through the health care system and is a strong patient advocate.
Supports the patient and family in coping with the psychological aspects of cancer.
Coordinates appointments with providers for timely delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic services while accommodating the patient as much as possible.
Answers patient telephone calls. Correctly processes information for appointment scheduling, answers questions, and assists with problem solving. This includes but is not limited to triaging emergent/urgent phone calls, inquiries related to the availability of appointments, scheduled appointment dates and times, and general practice information. If necessary, transfers calls to an appropriate person or department to assist the patient.
Communicates with physicians in a professional manner.
Relays messages to clinicians and follows-up as indicated.
Ensures all materials, including films, pathology reports, and laboratory reports necessary for each new patient visit are available for clinicians prior to appointments, if requested.
Advises patients about what to do with records and forms they must bring to the visit.
Accurately and efficiently prepares all new patient records as dictated by practice standards.
Elicits patient clinical information to allow for appropriate scheduling of referrals.
Encourages referrals and schedules new appointments as indicated based on clinical presentation, within established protocols, or as dictated by the physician.
If the next available appointment exceeds a reasonable timeframe, investigate scheduling options with the supervisor. Follow-up with patient and physician as appropriate.
Actively identifies and addresses barriers to care that might keep the patient from receiving timely and appropriate treatment.
Connects patients with resources and social support systems including helping patients identify and access financial services to pay for health care needs.
When appropriate, works with investigators and other members of the clinical research team to identify patients as potential research subjects for available clinical trials.
Networks and cultivates relationships with hospital and community services.
Provides community education to raise public awareness.
Participates in practice hours and any and all practice locations as needed.
Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.