JOB SUMMARY 

The Nurse Navigator RN has the primary responsibility for timely assessment and admission of patients referred with serious or life limiting illnesses. This includes assessment, admission, care planning, education and communication with patients, families and primary staff. The patient population can include newborns through geriatric patients. Is responsible for using the Nursing Process to effectively manage the admission plan of care for each patient based on appropriate nursing standards, policies and procedures. The Nurse Navigator RN is also responsible for continuing his/her own personal development to enhance practice and the profession of Nursing. Performs other duties as assigned including assisting with clinical liaison functions. Perform other duties as assigned.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES 

1. Utilizes all aspects of the Nursing Process (assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation) with appropriate skill to assess patients/clients for eligibility for agency programs and to effectively manage the Admission Plan of Care. 

2. Provides appropriate and pertinent patient education to the patient/family according to the Plan of Care to facilitate optimal patient and family comfort and support in life limiting illness. 

3. Appropriately documents and communicates all required information in accordance with agency policies and procedures, accreditation, regulation, and legal requirements. 

4. After admission, effectively and appropriately communicates with the interdisciplinary team assigned to patient. 

5. Annually continues personal development to enhance practice and profession. 

6. Organizes and performs work effectively and efficiently. 

7. Maintains and adjusts schedule to enhance program performance. 

8. Understands that teamwork is a crucial part of our business and is able to work well with colleagues. Cooperates well with others, accepts and provides constructive feedback. 

9. Maintains and promotes customer satisfaction. 

10. Effectively demonstrates the mission, vision, and values of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare on a daily basis. 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS 

1. Education: Graduate of an approved school of nursing, either through an AD, Diploma, or BSN program. 

2. Licensure / Certifications: Current license to practice professional nursing in the State of North Carolina / South Carolina. 

3. Experience: Two years experience. Prefer hospice or home care. 

4. Essential Technical / Motor Skills: Ability to speak clearly to communicate with patients, families, physicians and staff. Good command of the English language. Computer experience helpful. 

5. Interpersonal Skills: Ability to develop positive interaction with patients, families, physicians and staff and other health professionals in order to effectively communicate and educate about hospice services and end-of-life care. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Highly self-motivated and self-disciplined. Flexible. 

6. Essential Physical Requirements: Ability to move freely. Ability to work long hours and manage stressful situations. Ability to lift and/or maneuver objects weighing at least 45 pounds or less in the assessment and implementation of patient care. 

7. Essential Mental Abilities: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Requires higher level of mental faculties accompanied by short and long-term memory. 

8. Essential Sensory Requirements: Must be able to assess a patient’s condition, formulate a Plan of Care, and select appropriate interventions to meet patient/family outcomes. Requires higher level of mental faculties accompanied by short and long-term memory. 

9. Exposure to Hazards: Frequent exposure to blood and body fluids, infectious diseases, needle puncture wounds. May be exposed to dangerous animals and traffic hazards while home visiting. May encounter patients and other situations, which present a potential threat to personal safety. May encounter temperature changes and weather extremes. 

10. Other - Hours of Work: Flexible schedule to accommodate staffing needs, which may include weekends, holidays, rotating shifts and on-call work. This is a per diem position.

11. Driving: May be required to drive. Must have reliable transportation. Will be subject to the Safe Driver Policy. 

12. Population Served: Physicians, RN’s, facility administrators, discharge planners, social workers, other health professionals, insurance specialists, general public, community leaders, vendors. All patient populations from infants through geriatric with life limiting illness.