Job Summary: Provide patient- and family-centered nursing care in a setting that exemplifies best practices and outstanding customer service. This role fosters relationship-based care and upholds professional nursing standards guided by the ANA Code of Ethics, relevant Nurse Practice Acts, and regulatory requirements. The Orthopedic Nurse Navigator (NN) is a licensed registered nurse with specialized clinical expertise who acts as a liaison and advocate for patients newly diagnosed with chronic orthopedic conditions and their families throughout their treatment journey. The NN offers personalized assistance, education, and psychosocial support while coordinating care and services to enable informed decision-making and access to quality healthcare. Collaborating closely with the interprofessional care team, the NN facilitates communication among providers to prevent treatment delays.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Serve as liaison, educator, coordinator, advocate, facilitator, collaborator, supporter, and coach to build strong, supportive relationships between patients, families, and care teams.
• Introduce navigation assistance at diagnosis or pre-diagnosis, respecting patient choice to decline with proper documentation.
• Collaborate with committees and administration to analyze community needs and identify improvements in navigation processes.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and track patient outcomes to evaluate program effectiveness.
• Apply knowledge of insurance processes to guide appropriate referrals.
• Assess patient needs holistically, using tailored tools to develop consistent care plans.
• Identify and address barriers to care, facilitating referrals to improve access.
• Consider functional status, cultural factors, health literacy, and treatment recommendations in individualized care.
• Assist in identifying candidates for genetic counseling and facilitate referrals.
• Maintain knowledge of clinical guidelines and specialty resources.
• Promote awareness of clinical trials to patients and caregivers.
• Support ethical decision-making related to treatment goals, advanced directives, palliative, and end-of-life care.
• Ensure smooth transitions from active treatment to survivorship or end-of-life care.
• Provide and reinforce education on diagnosis, treatment options, side effect management, and survivorship.
• Foster a patient- and family-centered environment that supports autonomous decision-making.
• Build trusting relationships through effective communication and listening.
• Offer psychosocial support and facilitate referrals during times of emotional stress.
• Maintain ongoing communication with patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure satisfaction.
• Facilitate interprofessional communication to prevent fragmented or delayed care.
• Advocate for patient access and optimal outcomes.
• Document patient encounters and services accurately.
• Coordinate timely scheduling of appointments, tests, and procedures.
• Contribute to program development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Engage in professional growth activities including involvement in organizations, presentations, publications, and research.
• Promote lifelong learning and evidence-based practice.
• Build partnerships with local agencies to support patient care and education.
• Educate healthcare team members about the navigator role through mentoring and peer education.
• Adhere to patient privacy regulations and demonstrate effective communication and networking.

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing required.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required; Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) preferred.
• Computer proficiency required.
• Area-specific certifications (e.g., ACLS, BLS, PALS) to be obtained and maintained.
• Professional certification within one year of eligibility.

Licensure:

• Current active Registered Nurse licensure as required by the regional nursing board.

Work Shift:

• First shift, full-time (40 hours per week).

Location:

• Position based in a regional healthcare setting within the Midwest United States.