SURGICAL NAVIGATOR

Cook County•Chicago, IL

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Navigator is part of a multidisciplinary team and primary conduit for communication between providers, patients, and families. The Surgical Navigator is responsible for completing referrals for pre-operative testing and evaluation, supporting Surgical Division with pre-visit planning, pre-authorization for procedures and in clinic support ensuring access to surgical specialty clinics. This position provides concierge level customer service to patients and referring providers, providing relevant information to understand the complete surgical process across the continuum of care and communicating with the care team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with one (1) year of experience with patient navigation in a clinical setting, including scheduling appointments, connecting patients to community resources and/or taking patients through various steps of disease treatment, is required OR High School diploma or GED with three (3) years of experience in patient navigation, including scheduling appointments, connecting patients to community resources and/or taking patients through various steps of disease treatment, is required (must provide official transcripts or high diploma at time of interview)
Must be certified in one (1) of the following areas: o Certified as a Medical Assistant through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or Certified as a Registered Medical Assistant (Must provide certification at time of interview) o Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) by the Joint Commission on Allied Health (Must provide certification at time of interview) o Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) (Must provide certification at time of interview) o Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) (Must provide certification at time of interview)
Three (3) years of experience as a Medical Assistant, Ophthalmology Technician and/or Certified Nursing Assistant, is required
Three (3) years of experience as a Medical Assistant, Ophthalmology Technician and/or Certified Nursing Assistant, is required
Proficient use of the electronic medical records, necessary to accomplish all aspects of this job
Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with a variety of people from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds as well as hospital employees across all levels of the organization
Strong customer service and empathy skills
Demonstrate analytical and organizational, problem-solving, critical thinking, and conflict management/resolution skills
Demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and precision
Demonstrated care coordination skills and in providing supportive care options to patients and their families
Ability to prioritize, plan, and organize projects and tasks
Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and composure when challenged
Ability to function autonomously and work within a self-directed environment, with an ability to also work with and lead teams in a multidisciplinary environment
Ability to lead performance improvement initiatives and present to relevant committees on outcomes of their work with patients including improving quality of care.
Ability to demonstrate willingness to cross train to help clinical and administrative staff in the clinics
Ability to maintain knowledge of all surgery policies and procedures and adhere to them.
Ability to assure compliance with policies and procedures, standards of performance and productivity, quality standards, environmental and infection control and other regulatory requirements.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working with a culturally diverse population, is preferred
Bilingual, is preferred

Responsibilities

Manages all communications with referring providers regarding access and availability of surgical specialty appointments
Provides assistance to patients with pre-visit planning, throughput during clinic visit with obtaining any relevant history, completing relevant forms.
Assists with clerical and administrative duties such as calling patients to ensure appropriateness of referral to the correct surgical specialty. Verifies that any necessary documentation is completed prior to visit with Health Insurance Carriers, benefits, and prior authorization.
Facilitates and coordinates care from outpatient to inpatient across the care continuum and communicates directly with the family and care providers relevant clinical information to ensure safe follow-up.
Coordinates the completion of diagnostic imaging and appointments to ensure pre-operative work up is completed by the patient prior to scheduled procedure.
Assess patients for social barriers that may limit successful clinical outcomes.
Assists surgeon with minor in-office procedures and treatments
Maintains an accurate and complete medication list for patients in the electronic medical record.
Supports the provider staff with completing referrals for diagnostic testing and specialist following the providers’ order. Ensures procedure equipment is appropriately sterilized at site or prepares equipment for transfer to another location for sterilization.
Performs any required perioperative testing for upcoming procedure.
Assists with transportation services as necessary to ensure the patients ability to attend appointments as needed.
Performs accurate and detailed clinical documentation including plan of care and follow-up.
Attends and participates in meetings. Addresses any continuity of care concerns.
Works with Surgical Clinical Nurse Navigator to contact patients to remind and confirm scheduled appointments. Provides a 48-hour advance notification providing additional information and reminding them to bring valid identification and insurance card.
Performs other related duties as required