"Nurse Navigator"

The incumbent in this position will function in a skilled outpatient environment providing specialized patient care in the Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery. This position will provide nursing duties as well as appropriate education to patients. In addition to providing specialized professional nursing services, the incumbent will assist with training related to their area of expertise in the education of Residents, medical students, fellows and other allied health professionals.

SIU School of Medicine does not participate in the E-Verify program. Employment eligibility will be verified in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

A. Care Coordination Duties 60%

• Interviews patient and their families to determine patient/family dynamics, needs, and identification of any contributing factors to illness; guides other staff members in patient teaching and assists patient's family to participate in patient's teaching plan.
• Coordinates follow-up of outpatient services. Facilitates scheduling and performance of tests and procedures. Provides follow-up care in conjunction with attending physician/nurse practitioner furnishing information and teaching.
• Serves as a clinical resource for Otolaryngology personnel.
• Identifies specialized patient needs and informs appropriate members of the staff.
• Attends in-patient rounds with Attending physician and Residents as needed.
• Determines client eligibility for services and care.
• Interviews patients and/or family members regarding plans for care, which may include hospital visits and coordinates the specific medical and rehabilitative services recommended.
• Develops and coordinates service plans with may include collaboration among agencies to recruit and organize a network of integrated services.
• Communicates unmet client needs to responsible parties for appropriate action.
• Acts as liaison between families and providers to facilitate communication.
• Advocates for family and client's rights.

B. Direct Nursing 30%

• Demonstrates clinical competence in carrying out patient care duties specific to assigned area.
• Assist physician / nurse practitioner / fellows with clinics including but not limited to: preparing patient for examination, testing and/or explaining procedures/test to patient and family.
• Obtains complete health and nursing histories for individuals and families who are patients of the clinic. Utilize this information when providing telephone triage, direct care and patient education.
• Documents the patient history, vital signs and chief complaint in the medical record.
• Administers medications by appropriate route with consideration for patient safety. Utilize training to prepare and administer immunizations/medications.
• Screens / triages telephone calls from patients and other customers; answers questions using professional knowledge, expertise, nursing judgement and documents actions in patient chart.
• Responsible for facilitating efficient patient flow within assigned clinic.
• Acts as a liaison between healthcare facilities and other specialty agencies.
• Functions as a primary nurse or back up nurse as directed, depending on the need. Follows direction of primary nurse and physician when functioning as the back-up nurse.
• Communicates with SIU Staff, patients, and other healthcare professionals in a professional manner.
• Uses critical thinking skills to triage patient care priorities for patient phone calls and needs.
• Utilizes and maintains equipment used in the assessment and treatment of patients.
• Rounds on patients in both hospitals as applicable. This includes, educating patients and families on current and future care, reviewing medical records, arranging procedures and appointments needed in the outpatient setting to facilitate treatment for disease process, helping with discharge and follow up care needs.

C. Education 5%

• Attends in-service classes and other meetings as directed and as deemed necessary.
• Suggests ideas for in-service training and to improve patient care.
• Assists with training related to specialty and education of residents, medical student and other allied health professionals.
• Assist with the development of educational materials for patient education related to specialty.
• Fulfills all requirements necessary to maintain certification for specialized area of nursing practice required of the position.
• Counsels family on client's service needs and provides such guidance as necessary.
• Collects and maintains current information regarding available community resources.

D. Research Duties 5%

• Maintains current case records and prepares reports as required.
• Responsible for maintaining and updating research database with appropriate and accurate information.

Requirements:

• Licensed as a registered professional nurse in the State of Illinois (If an Illinois Resident is licensed as a professional nurse in a state other than Illinois, the applicant must meet the criteria established by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to obtain the proper licensure within five (5) months of the date of appointment.)
• Bachelor's degree
• Two years of public health or specialized nursing experience