Description
POSITION SUMMARY The Patient Navigator manages and facilitates patient care progression throughout the continuum, with the objective of enhancing patient outcomes and satisfaction while managing the cost of care. This position manages the development of an individualized care plan with patients and their families beginning at the initial point of contact and continuing throughout the recovery phase. The Navigator is responsible for disease-specific patient caseloads and plans effectively to meet patient needs, manage length of stay, and promote efficient resource utilization. This position will guide the patient throughout the care continuum, including direct follow-up care management to avoid preventable hospital readmissions and to support optimal recovery. The Navigator serves as a liaison with families, support coaches, and post-acute facilities, providing off-site guidance as requested and/or needed. The Patient Navigator is responsible for making decisions on a day-to-day basis that have a substantial impact on quality, length of stay, and the continuum of care. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND CORE RESPONSIBILITIES Accountable to the Service Line Director and/or the Chief Nursing Officer. Manages and facilitates patient care progression throughout the care continuum. Advises the multidisciplinary team in all phases of the pre-admission and discharge processes including initial patient assessment, planning, teaching and post-discharge care management. Collaborates with medical staff, nursing staff, and all ancillary staff to eliminate barriers and ensure efficient care delivery. Manages the hospitals day to day relationship with post-acute providers in matters of patient care. Working knowledge of quality ratings for home health agencies and post-acute care facilities when assisting patients and their families in need of post-acute support. Develops a clear understanding of payer criteria. Understands contractual terms related to reimbursement for disease-specific care. Works closely with care coordinators, utilization review team members, and financial counselors to discuss payer criteria and communicates appropriately with clinical staff/physicians to resolve problems as needed. Monitors length of stay and ancillary resource use on an ongoing basis. Initiates and facilitates referrals for medical equipment/supplies, home health needs, hospice, or facility transfers as needed. Ensures all elements critical to the plan of care have been communicated to the patient/family and members of the care team, including appropriate documentation to support communication. Actively participates and/or manages quality and performance improvement activities. Meets directly with patients and their families throughout the continuum to facilitate personalized care plan. Schedules patients for, and conducts joint replacement education classes. Seeks consultation from appropriate disciplines and departments as required to expedite care and facilitate discharge. Other Aspects of the Position are as Follows: Rounding. Multidisciplinary collaboration. Physician Rounding. Lead Nurse/Manager Rounding. Patient Rounding includes ALL patients (includes HCP). Use quality metrics to guide HH and SNF referrals in relation to patients preferred location (city/zip code preference). Available to disease-specific units on a daily basis as a resource and support to patients, staff and physicians. Participate in resource information updates where appropriate. Monitor Care Coordination evaluation on POD one as appropriate/needed. Clinical Pathway compliance/ review and updates. Participate in Optimization. Pre or post-admission patient education classes as needed. Identifying barriers prior to surgery by working with physician offices and USC Arcadias team to effectively manage care as needed. Manage post DC phone calls. Work with nurse managers and Lead nurses in managing adherence on a daily basis. Required Meeting Attendance when appropriate. CJR M&M (quarterly). Section Meeting (quarterly). Shift Nurse Huddle (daily). Disease-Specific Staff Meetings. Present data findings to Board PI, CQIS, and Executive Team. Job Requirements: EducationMinimum (Required)Nursing School graduatePreferred (Not required)BSN/Masters degree in a relevant healthcare related field preferred.Work ExperienceMinimum (Required)2 Years of acute care experiencePreferred (Not required)Minimum 2 years of previous patient care management/navigation experience preferred.Licenses and CertificationsMinimum (Required)Registered Nurse licenseCurrent professional license or relevant certification required.BLS certification required.Pay TransparencyThe annual salary range for this position is $110,672.64 – $145,257.84. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California Arcadia Hospital considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidates work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, State, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations. Apply Link: https://usccareers.usc.edu/job/-/-/1209/80649754272