Job Description
The Lead Nurse Navigator reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
- The Lead Nurse Navigator works collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to promote holistic, patient-centered care. This role requires self-direction and initiative in the roles of clinician, educator, and consultant, providing indirect patient care and expert consultation using in-depth clinical knowledge with support from leadership and clinical team.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the development and implementation of a new navigation program for the Digestive Health Institute, Center of Advanced Endoscopy, ensuring seamless coordination and support for patients throughout their care journey.
- Support the development of operational workflows and Epic build items, including work queues, progress notes, referral pathways, and other tools that enhance care coordination and efficiency.
- Support the leadership team as they develop key performance indicators (KPIs) of the navigation program.
- Be accountable for data management of the navigation program, ensuring accurate tracking and analysis of metrics (KPIs) that inform timely and safe disposition of navigated patients.
- Establish and maintain key relationships with internal and external referral partners to support coordinated, patient-centered care and optimize access to services.
- Oversee scalability of the navigation program, which may include the leading and mentoring of additional navigators as the program grows.
- Build collaborative working relationships with providers of the Digestive Health Institute, Center of Advanced Endoscopy and utilize care conferencing as a mechanism to provide updates on navigated patients
- Collaborate with patients, families, physicians, and ancillary staff to develop and communicate individualized care plans.
- Assess and reassess patients and families for ongoing care needs, identifying high-risk criteria and initiating timely referrals.
- Educate patients, families, and caregivers regarding diagnoses, treatment processes, therapies, and testing once informed of the diagnosis from their provider.
- Maintain awareness of current research trials and collaborate with research staff for eligible patients
- Promote exceptional customer service and maintain emotional composure under pressure
- Communicate and coordinate care with other departments.
- Perform other duties pertinent to the management of the program
Qualifications
Required:
- Current RN license in the state of Illinois
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program
- Minimum of five years of nursing experience, with current clinical experience within the past five years
- Prior experience working in patient navigation or nurse case management
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
- Microsoft Office knowledge
Preferred:
- Certification in a practice area relevant to the care of patients with advanced GI diseases
- Strongly prefer direct experience in a role that provided care of patients with advanced gastrointestinal diseases or positive cancer diagnoses
- Proficiency of EPIC electronic medical records (EMR)
Additional Information
Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
If we offer you a job, we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a case-by-case basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
