Nurse Navigator Diabetes Program (Full Time, Days)

Job Summary

Assumes responsibility in association with Nurses, Physician, and other leaders to serve as a liaison for the pediatric diabetes population across the hospital from ED through the inpatient units and after discharge. Assesses, plans, implements, evaluates, and supervises individual patient care according to organizational policies and procedures. Establishes early contact to eliminate barriers to timely treatment through coordination of care to ensure care transitions within the hospital and after discharge. Participates in the development of evidence based best practices and guidelines. Provides a significant level of patient education related to the child's diabetes therapy and the planned treatment. Provides parents with resources and linkages including community and patient/family support.

Job Specific Duties

• Ensures safe and efficient patient care. Works closely with physicians in all specialty areas to coordinate and communicate the patient's care plan.
• Proactively develops & enhances clinical processes with the goal of providing an excellent quality clinical experience for patients. Assures smooth transition of inpatient/outpatient experiences.
• Ensures further development of a collaborative and streamlined transitional patient and family process and physicians in the community and/or other related services.
• Works and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to maintain and implement up-to-date coordinated patient care; communicates with all members of the healthcare team on behalf of the patient.
• Ensures clinical protocols to refer patients to appropriate specialist for diagnosis and treatment. Assists patients/families in obtaining referrals/appointments with needed specialists.
• Collaborates with multi-disciplinary team to provide support as appropriate to the clinical situation.
• In collaboration with the Endocrinology physicians and nursing leadership, provides comprehensive education to residents, nursing staff, diabetes educators, and the community such as school health nursing.
• Identifies and eliminates healthcare system barriers to ensure timely access to quality medical and clinical care.
• Communicates with referring physician's office for the patient's and physician's needs. Serves as liaison to community organizations for ongoing information and support services.
• Identifies, informs & educates patients about their disease. Provides educational & materials to parents through hands on demonstration. Develops care plans to enhance education & satisfaction; addresses clinical concerns.
• Works with Marketing and outreach departments to educate referring physicians and facilities on available services in relation to the Diabetes Program.
• Serves as a nurse liaison to facilitate services on patient management and leads in the coordination of complex care across a continuum of care from admission and procedure through outpatient follow-up.
• Ensures communication between staff & physicians; responsible for arranging appointments & follow-ups; serves as a front-line resource to obtain records, test results, & other clinical information.
• Functions as clinical expert/role model within the endocrinology and diabetic populations, identifying clinical and communication issues.
• Utilizes data obtained to integrate evidence practice into patient care processes.
• Along with administrative staff, keeps meticulous data of physician and patient inquiries, including outcomes related to timeliness of communication, completed referrals, and outcomes.
• Disseminates new information across the institution and the community, and remains current and at the cutting edge of specialty.
• Promotes a safe "error free" working environment by consistently performing thorough hand-offs, supporting infection prevention, and other patient safety measures.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree BSN degree from an accredited program. (Required)
• RN - Registered Nurse RN Licensure within the State of Florida or Multi-State Enhanced Nursing License Compact (eNLC) - maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
• CPR BLS -American Heart Association BLS maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
• PALS - American Heart Association PALS maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
• 3-5 years Pediatric Clinical Experience
• 1-3 years Diabetes Educator Role

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Master's degree in Nursing preferred.
• Pediatric nursing experience in acute care setting.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Well versed in conflict management skills.
• Good analytical and deduction skills.
• Sympathetic and emotionally supportive to patients and families.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Able to multi-task.