RN Nurse Navigator

ABOUT AUSTIN REGIONAL CLINIC:

Austin Regional Clinic has been voted a top Central Texas employer by our employees for over 10 years!   We are one of central Texas’ largest professional medical groups with 25 locations and we are continuing to grow. We offer the following benefits to eligible team members: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, PTO, 401(k), EAP, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Tuition Reimbursement, Child Care Assistance, Health & Fitness, Sick Child Care Assistance, Development and more. For additional information visit https://www.austinregionalclinic.com/careers/

PURPOSE

The Nurse Navigator coordinates health care for patients, working with the member’s Primary Care Provider and nurse/medical assistant, providing services onsite at a clinic.  Develops strong and appropriate relationships with patients to gain trust.  Uses that trust to help patients modify and/or improve their health care behavior.  Reviews with the patient the treatment plan laid out by the Primary Care Provider, educates the patient about this plan, and assists the patient in following the treatment plan.  Simultaneously, encourages patients to set and reach their own health goals.  Assists patients in receiving comprehensive care by facilitating closure in evidenced-based gaps in care.  Works collaboratively with the administration-based outreach and clinical units, Medical Director and Program Director.  Works collaboratively with onsite providers, clinical staff, and administrative staff.  Carries out all duties while maintaining compliance and confidentiality and promoting the mission and philosophy of the organization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reviews reports and prioritize patients for contact.
• Contacts targeted patients, develops plans of action, ensures physician’s care plan is followed, and monitors status of these plans.
• Provides patients education and materials as needed.
• Develops relationship with patients, gaining their trust.
• Develops relationship with onsite primary care providers and nurse/medical assistants.
• Motivates patients to follow through on their health goals.
• Works with health plan resources to the patient’s benefit.
• Utilizes “registry” and documentation process.
• Interacts/communicates with ARC physicians and nurses as well as non-ARC specialists and staff.
• Determines if patient qualifies for copay/medication support.
• Works cooperatively with onsite medical and administrative staff.
• Works collaboratively with hospital case managers to ensure proper transition from hospital to home.
• Collaborates with patients and families to ensure a quality supportable plan for their case management needs and documents these plans appropriately.
• Takes call for case management issues on a rotating basis.
• Continues to research alternative health care services and/or facilities to develop a network of resources.
• Develops working knowledge of health plan benefits.
• Serves as a resource to the Outreach department. 

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• May perform patient follow-up activities including laboratory results and diagnostics, appointments, referrals, medications, and call backs.
• May call pharmacy with prescription refills as prescribed by and under the direction of the physician.
• May provide direct nursing care to patients and distribute medications and treatment under physician order according to accepted standards of care.
• May perform diagnostic testing including but not limited to EKGs, audiograms, tympanograms, spirometry, visual screenings, and assisting providers
• May assess and prioritize medical needs via telephone and direct patients to appropriate and necessary care.
• May guide evaluation including instructing patient/caller how to evaluate normal/abnormal symptoms, effectiveness of treatment and when to call back.  
• May document symptoms/complaints, nursing assessment, advice and patient/caller response.
• May collect data and make assessments, develop a working diagnosis, determine interventions and disposition per guidelines.  
• May provide vaccine management including ordering and monitoring vaccine usage/wastage, facilitating the maintenance of the vaccines, participating in educational opportunities, utilizing the Texas Vaccine for Children Provider Manual, and completing reportable documentation as recommended by Texas Department of State Health Services.
• May facilitate the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the immunization program.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Required: Graduate of accredited nursing school and 3 or more years working in direct patient care in clinical environment. 

Preferred: BSN degree and experience in case management, home health, or administrative experience. One or more years working at ARC. Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent interpersonal & problem solving skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to engage others, listen and adapt response to meet others’ needs.
• Ability to align own actions with those of other team members committed to common goals.
• Excellent computer and keyboarding skills, including familiarity with Windows.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to perform job duties in a professional manner at all times.
• Ability to understand, recall, and communicate, factual information.
• Ability to understand, recall, and apply oral and/or written instructions or other information.
• Ability to organize thoughts and ideas into understandable terminology.
• Ability to apply common sense in performing job.
• Familiarity with community agencies and with how to make appropriate referrals to them.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred. 

Certificate/License

Licensed Registered Nurse in the State of Texas.  Basic Life Support Certification (BLS).

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm.