PURPOSE OF THIS POSITION

The Emergency Department Care Navigator nurse provides intensive emergency room case management support for patients and utilization coordination for the emergency department. The Care Navigator’s role is to serve as a clinical resource to providers and staff to aid patients who have complex health needs in improving their health and/or managing their chronic condition or transitioning their care to the next appropriate level. The Care Navigator focuses on development of the patient's care plan and smoothy and safely transitioning care. The Care Navigator works closely with the care transitions team, attending physicians, emergency department physicians, home care agencies, insurance and other providers to coordinate transitions across the care continuum.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Duty 1: Embedded in the emergency department to establish regular communication with physicians and staff for ongoing coordination of care for patients. Serves as a clinical resource/consultant to enhance communication and effective utilization of health care resources for patients.

Duty 2: Manages high risk, clinically complex, and/or resource intensive patients in order to optimize clinical, functional, and cost effective outcomes. Proactively assesses for utilization patterns for specific patients and intervenes accordingly.

Duty 3: Utilizes nursing processes to assess and plan strategies for patient care with emphasis upon appropriate resource utilization, appropriate levels of care, quality and patient and family education. Develops and implements culturally sensitive plans of care which address the specific diagnosis, age, gender, psycho-social, and emotional needs of each patient. Implements transition plans for patients when appropriate, including coordination of facility placement or medical/community resource connection.

Duty 4: Establishes and maintains communication/collaboration with the interdisciplinary team across the continuum to coordinate clinical care.  Maintains active communication and collaboration with BVHS entities and community agencies and resources to assist patients and families to gain access to these services.

Duty 5:  Evaluates and identifies post-discharge concerns, patient access to needed services, and coordinates access across the care continuum. Appropriately refers patients with physician approval to appropriate resources for education, services, and resolution of care issues for the patient.

Duty 6: Acts as a resource for providers to determine correct admission status utilizing intensity of service and severity of illness criteria (Interqual) to maintain appropriate care level and utilization of hospitalization outside of normal business hours. 

Duty 7: Manages case load effectively including timely physician and patient communication, record keeping, and keeping management informed of any unusual or special incident occurrence.

Duty 8: Collects and/or analyzes data specific to patient populations and analyzes data for trends and outcomes. Utilizes data findings to evaluate program strengths and to identify areas for improvement.

Duty 9: Displays Service Excellence as evidenced by practicing the mission, vision, and values of the organization to promote patient satisfaction.

Duty 10: Assists other members of the Care Transitions team as needed during periods of low emergency department volume.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Current Ohio license (RN or BSN) and excellent clinical skills.
• Must have 3-5 years clinical experience in critical care, or ER.
• Demonstrated track record of being self-directed and motivated.
• Must have demonstrated ability to assess clinical information and assess implications of treatment.
• Must be willing to work a flexible work schedule to accommodate the population being served, i.e., requires every third weekend.
• Must have strong computer skills including basic Excel and Word skills, and willingness to expand those skills.
• Positive service-oriented interpersonal and communication skills required, including ability to deal directly, assertively and appropriately with matters of a sensitive or controversial nature.
• Possesses the ability develop and maintain collaborative relationships, and to work as a team member in an interdisciplinary environment for the provision of quality care, and to build consensus among diverse groups.
• Possesses knowledge and skill in coordinating and managing patient care across the continuum.
• Individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patient served.  The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to their age-specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in policies and procedures.
• Proven ability to develop and launch new programs and set priorities to achieve program goals.
• Excellent critical thinking and analytical skills. Ability to use independent judgment and discretion about matters of significance.
• Able to adapt quickly to a fast paced, quickly changing environment.
• Exercise of judgment and discretion in matters of confidentiality with strong ability to collaborate.
• Requires daily carrying of laptop computer and files between three physician office locations.
• Within the emergency department, requires walking between exam rooms and being on your feet for significant periods of the day.
• A valid driver's license is required (if you do not have a valid Ohio driver’s license you must obtain one within 30 days of your residency in the state).  You must also meet BVHS's company fleet policy and insurance company requirements, and any other requirements that may be required to operate a vehicle.
• Must be an excellent patient educator.
• Must be able to effectively and credibly deliver to patients, in a one on one or group setting, with or without a physician being present, information about the importance of complying with chronic condition self-management approaches and medication adherence.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BSN preferred.
• Case management or utilization review or home care nursing experience preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Cerner or other similiar electronic medical record.
• Case management certification preferred, or willing to obtain within 2 to 3 years of hire.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires a full range of body motion with intermittent walking, lifting, bending, climbing, squatting, kneeling, twisting, sitting, and standing. The associate will be required to walk up to 2 hours a day, sit for 4 hours a day, and stand for 2 hours a day. The individual must be able to lift 30 pounds and reach work above the shoulders. The individual must have good eye/hand coordination and fine finger dexterity, including the ability to document legibly. This associate must have excellent verbal communication skills to perform daily tasks. The associate must have corrected vision and hearing in the normal range.

This position is classified at risk for possible occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens (HBV, HIV, etc.)