JOB SUMMARY: Plans, implements, and measures navigation needs for the designated wound and limp preservation patient population. Guides patients through the healthcare system, establishing contact with patients, family members, and/or caregiver. Directs and leads other assigned team members and collaborates with multidisciplinary team members to provide appropriate care in accordance with approved standards of care and practice. Works with physicians, medical professionals and other staff to ensure the best quality of care is given.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Graduated from an accredited Surgical Technician Program.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, and/or REGISTRATION: Basic Cardiac Life Support(BCLS) required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1. Acts as a patient advocate throughout the continuum of care including all patient settings and in the community. Understands the clinical pathways established by the clinical specialty and directs patients to health care services in the organization and in the community for timely medical care. Actively identifies and addresses barriers to care that might keep the patient from receiving timely and appropriate treatment. 2. Responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating, and if necessary, delegating patient navigation services to a specified group of patients. 3. Coordinates the effective and efficient delivery of patient care services through the application of care management principles. Identifies clinical priorities and initiates action to improve patient outcomes. Assists the patient and physicians in the transition from inpatient care to an outpatient facility to insure there is adequate follow up treatment to insure the best possible outcome of treatments. 4. Documents in accordance with departmental reporting standards. Collects and maintains up to date and accurate program data and documentation according to program standards. Delivers reports that demonstrate outcomes and performance improvement activities; adheres to established productivity benchmarks. 5. Applies critical reasoning and astute clinical judgment to expedite appropriate care and treatment, especially given that the patient may present with complex problems or potentially life-threatening conditions. 6. Facilitates continuity of care using the nursing process, multidisciplinary collaboration, and coordination of appropriate health care services and community resources across the care continuum. 7. Communicates effectively to promote sharing of information throughout the continuum of care and as an effective member of the healthcare team. Interacts with patients during face-to-face encounters or through a variety of telecommunication strategies. 8. Responsible for ongoing evaluation and quality improvement of the Navigator Program and will track all activity as defined by the departmental and program standards. 9. Works closely with community-based service providers to identify and address community needs for services and education regarding prevention and/or early detection, medications and first aid available. 10. Focuses on patient safety and the quality of nursing care by applying appropriate nursing interventions, such as identifying and clarifying patient needs, performing procedures, conducting health education, promoting patient advocacy, coordinating nursing and other health services, assisting the patient to navigate the health care system, and evaluating patient outcomes. 11. Participates in regular team meetings and continuous quality improvement activities. Actively participates in analysis of pertinent data to identify variances and opportunities for improvement processes specifically related to patient treatment process quality improvement initiatives. 12. Maintains knowledge of internal and external resources for coordination of patient care, self-management, population management and communication skill. 13. Actively involved in data collection for system analysis and improvement.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS : Ability to assess educational, clinical, psychosocial needs of patients as well as family needs Ability to independently seek out resources and work collaboratively Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships Ability to communicate clearly with patients, families, visitors, healthcare team, physicians, leadership and others Ability to teach patients and families in accordance with the nursing plan of care Ability to use the computer and learn new software programs Ability to document and communicate pertinent information using computer and/or paper documentation tools Working knowledge of infection control procedures and safety precautions

WORK ENVIRONMENT : Moderate noise environment Handles emergency or crisis situations Subject to many interruptions Required to wear