RN Orthopaedic Patient Navigator - Ortho - Full-Time

Erlanger Health System•Chattanooga, TN

About The Position

The Orthopaedic Patient Navigator is a Registered Nurse and member of the Erlanger Orthopaedic team who coordinates comprehensive care for patients with orthopaedic disorders. The Navigator collaborates with surgeons, hospital and office staff, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to organize care delivery and support patients and their families throughout the treatment process. The role includes advocating for patients, providing education, coordinating care, and identifying barriers that could delay appropriate treatment before or after surgery. Before surgery, the Navigator reviews pretesting and screening and coordinates related issues with surgeons and the interdisciplinary team. The Navigator conducts daily rounds for inpatients, supports coordination of care, and provides follow-up for 90 days after surgery. The role is responsible for developing and implementing patient pathways, keeping current with Clinical Practice Guidelines and treatment protocols, and creating evidence-based educational materials for patients and staff. The Navigator tracks quality metrics, implements interventions to meet and maintain targets, and reports metrics to leadership, surgeons, and the monthly Orthopaedic meeting. The role also helps lead the Orthopaedic team in obtaining and maintaining specialty certifications, participates in orthopaedic community outreach, and promotes awareness of Erlanger Orthopaedics services. The Navigator acts as a clinical liaison and resource, builds interdepartmental relationships, supports safety and compliance standards, and protects patient confidentiality and dignity while delivering compassionate care.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience.
Current nursing licensure to practice in Tennessee as a Registered Nurse.
More than 2 years of orthopaedic experience.
BLS completed before going to the unit or department and maintained thereafter.
Complete 8 hours of Erlanger online education specific to Total Ankle, Hip, and Knee Replacement upon hire.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from an accredited school in Tennessee.
Outpatient or inpatient orthopaedic care experience.
Prior educator or patient navigation experience.
Quality improvement and/or discharge planning experience.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and manage aspects of orthopaedic care in collaboration with surgeons, hospital and office staff, patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team.
Advocate for patients, educate them, coordinate care, and identify barriers to timely and appropriate treatment before and after surgery.
Review preoperative testing and screening and coordinate issues with surgeons and other interdisciplinary team members.
Conduct daily rounds for inpatients and coordinate care issues with the surgeon and interdisciplinary team.
Provide and coordinate 90-day postoperative follow-up.
Develop and implement patient pathways for surgical patients and remain current with Clinical Practice Guidelines and treatment protocols.
Develop evidence-based educational materials for patients and staff and provide individualized preoperative and postoperative patient education.
Track quality metrics, implement interventions to attain and maintain targets, and report metrics to leadership, surgeons, and the monthly Orthopaedic meeting.
Help lead the Orthopaedic team in obtaining and maintaining specialty certifications for the Orthopaedic Service Line.
Participate in orthopaedic community outreach and promote awareness of Erlanger Orthopaedics services.
Collaborate with leadership and the interdisciplinary team to maintain and advance standards of care and ensure evidence-based and compliance standards are met.
Uphold personal, patient, and departmental safety guidelines and protect the privacy and confidentiality of patient information.