Clinic Nurse Navigator NE - Surgical Pre-Op Clinic

This is a per diem position

Under general administrative direction, the Pre-Anesthesia Nurse Navigator (NN) Non-Exempt shall be an entrepreneurial, enterprising, and inspirational leader with a strong passion for surgical patient care. The Nurse Navigator collaborates with providers and/or clinical areas to coordinate service and ensure quality of care for patients. Assess the physical and psycho-social needs of patients and their families throughout their perioperative journey. Provide direct and indirect patient care in accordance with the policies of St Peter’s Health Medical Group (SPHMG) while providing excellent patient care. Must be able to prioritize workload, respond to patient calls and messages in a timely manner. Demonstrates knowledge of the nursing process as a standard in accordance with licensure, incorporating elements of holistic family-centered care.

The Pre-Anesthesia Nurse Navigator will:

• connect with surgical patients pre-operatively to best prepare them for their procedure.

• Provide emotional support and nursing education related to the patient’s clinical situation and scheduled procedure.

• Assess the patient’s risk for perioperative adverse outcomes using established guidelines and protocols.

• Serve as a patient advocate and assist in navigating the process along the continuum with the goal of facilitating effective quality care and timeliness, resulting in improved patient satisfaction and outcomes.

• Build relationships with other patient navigators and improves continuity with similar patients.
• Document appropriate correspondence and care in patients EMR, including pre-operative screening and questionnaire.

• Identify and develop relationships with personnel in departments involved in surgical care (i.e., physicians, surgeons, nurses, social services staff, and both SPH and independent clinic staff).

• Review and assess patient’s status related to planned surgery, including physical and psych-social needs, lab values, medications, perioperative education needs and overall comprehension of the planned procedure.

• Facilitate timely scheduling of appointments, diagnostic testing and procedures to expedite the span of care and promote continuity of care with the multidisciplinary team.

• Participate in post-operative phone calls to patients ensuring their needs are met.

• Help initiate and continue interdisciplinary discharge planning, including patient and caregiver planning.
• Discuss discharge plan, including need for skilled nursing facility or home health, etc.
• Link and assist patients and their families to appropriate national, community, hospital and medical resources including but not limited to: financial counseling, social work, nutrition, smoking cessation, etc.
• Provide education to clinics regarding perioperative processes as needed.
• Communicate daily with perioperative departments regarding upcoming patients, schedule, etc.
• Utilize interventions and strategies appropriate for and respecting patients’ culture, age, gender, socioeconomic, and psycho-social factors.
• Provide guidance to medical assistants for pre-operative data collection.
• Participate with strategic surgical growth planning, including implementation of a ‘surgical home.’
• Visit patients after surgery when able.
• Participate and be involved with patient education initiatives such as Total Joint education sessions.
• All other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE : Minimum of 3 years’ acute care experience required, preferably in a perioperative or critical care setting. Comprehension of EKG and various cardiac/laboratory reports/studies.

EDUCATION : Graduate of accredited professional school of nursing required. BSN preferred.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRY : Current Montana License as a Registered Nurse required. Current BLS certification required.

Aptitudes :

• Demonstrated effective communication skills, both verbal and written
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Demonstrated time management skills and ability to effectively and efficiently handle multiple tasks
• Demonstrated ability to research clinical protocols and stay current on best practice for surgical patient care, and assist physician partners to develop and maintain protocols
• Demonstrated understanding of breadth of services provided at SPH for surgical patients
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a positive member of a multi-disciplinary team to enhance patient outcomes and satisfaction.
• Demonstrated knowledge in EPIC, Microsoft (Word, Outlook, Teams, Excel), and independent clinic records as needed.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal communication and customer services skills required.
• Demonstrated high level of attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to receive feedback and adapt to a changing environment, which requires flexibility in scheduling and department assignments
• Demonstrated flexibility to adapt to ever-changing surgical schedule