Patient Navigator (Breast Surgical Clinic)

University Hospital, Newark NJ•Newark, NJ

3d•$61,802 - $88,273

About The Position

The Patient Navigator supports patients throughout their breast care journey and serves as a patient advocate, helping patients navigate through the health care system and ensuring appropriate appointments are scheduled in a timely manner in accordance with guidelines established by the Medical Director of the Practice/Department. The Patient Navigator assists with access-to-care, identifies and helps remove barriers that may delay care, develops relationships with referring health care providers, and supports the complete and efficient management of referrals, including the acquisition of necessary patient-care materials, medical records, imaging, pathology reports, and other relevant clinical information. This individual works with community groups to increase health awareness and provide health education. In addition, the Patient Navigator will track all new patient requests, provide monthly statistics, and monitors referral patterns. The Patient Navigator works closely with the patient care team and assists in the coordination of patient care by addressing barriers that may otherwise prevent or delay patients from receiving health care services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a healthcare environment working directly with patients.
Demonstrated experience in patient advocacy and/or customer service.
Familiarity with medical terminology required.
Proficient in Microsoft Office and general computer applications.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
Friendly, outgoing, compassionate, and empathetic demeanor.
Dedicated, resourceful, and patient-focused approach.
For accreditation purposes, candidates must hold the Oncology Patient Navigator Certified Generalist (OPN-CG) credential, issued by the AONN+ Foundation for Learning, at the time of hire or obtain the credential within three (3) months of hire as a condition of continued employment.

Nice To Haves

Technical clinical experience and/or experience in a specialty practice area (e.g., Oncology, OB/GYN) preferred.
Experience in an outpatient setting preferred.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills preferred.

Responsibilities

Serves as a patient advocate, guiding patients through the healthcare system and ensuring timely access to appointments based on established clinical guidelines.
Coordinates and manages patient referrals to support efficient and seamless care delivery.
Assists patients in overcoming access-to-care barriers and navigating healthcare services.
Develops and maintains relationships with referring physicians, healthcare providers, and community partners.
Obtains and organizes required medical records, documentation, and patient-care materials.
Provides health education and promotes community awareness through outreach initiatives.
Tracks and monitors all new patient requests, referral activity, and patient access trends.
Prepares and reports monthly statistics, referral patterns, and related data.
Collaborates closely with physicians, nurses, and the patient care team to coordinate services.
Identifies and removes obstacles that may prevent patients from receiving appropriate healthcare and support services.
Helps ensure a positive patient experience by facilitating communication and continuity of care across departments.