Patient Navigator

Overview

The Patient Navigator is an independent registered nurse who coordinates and facilitates comprehensive care for patients within the General Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urogynecology division. This role ensures seamless patient experiences by managing referrals, scheduling, pre- and post-operative education, and follow-up care while serving as a liaison between patients, providers, and referring physicians. The navigator enhances access to specialized services, supports informed decision making, and promotes continuity of care by serving as a direct liaison and primary point of contact for referring providers and specialty groups, ensuring seamless communication, coordinated services, and efficient patient transitions. 

This position supports providers and patients at all office locations across the practice plan and requires travel to all clinical sites as well as travel to referring community offices as necessary.

Responsibilities

Patient Navigation, Care Coordination and Referral Management – 55%

• Serve as a primary point of contact for patients requiring additional guidance, coordination, or support throughout their General OB/GYN or Urogynecology care journey.
• Identify, maintain, and manage a patient navigation list to track individuals requiring additional follow up, treatment coordination, or assistance overcoming barriers to care.
• Coordinate patient care across providers, specialties, clinical teams, and external healthcare organizations to promote continuity and timely progression through treatment plans.
• Facilitate coordination of diagnostic testing, procedures, treatments, referrals, follow up appointments, and physician directed care plans.
• Monitor patients with complex or multi-step treatment plans, including those awaiting surgical intervention, to ensure recommended care is completed within appropriate timeframes.
• Identify and assist patients in overcoming barriers to care, including scheduling challenges, transportation, insurance authorization, and access to specialty services.
• Coordinate communication between General OB/GYN, Urogynecology, and collaborating specialties to support comprehensive patient care.
• Collaborate with surgical scheduling teams, clinical staff, and providers to facilitate timely progression from surgical consultation to procedure.
• Assist with coordination of hospital admissions, care transitions, and office based diagnostic or treatment procedures as directed by the physician.
• Identify and escalate delays, gaps in care, or other concerns that may impact a patient's ability to proceed with recommended treatment.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with referring clinicians, referring practices, specialty providers, and collaborating healthcare organizations.
• Serve as a liaison between patients, referring providers, specialty practices, and internal clinical teams to facilitate communication and coordination of care.
• Communicate regularly with referring offices regarding referral status, patient care coordination, scheduling needs, and clinical follow up requirements.
• Monitor incoming referrals and outstanding scheduling needs to ensure patients are connected with the appropriate provider and level of care.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for referring practices requiring assistance with urgent patient care coordination.
• Promote timely patient access by facilitating communication and addressing referral or scheduling issues that may delay access to appropriate services.

Patient Education and Clinical Support – 30%

• Provide individualized patient education regarding diagnoses, treatment options, recommended procedures, diagnostic testing, and ongoing care plans.
• Reinforce physician directed education regarding surgical procedures, preoperative requirements, testing instructions, treatment expectations, and post-procedure care.
• Promote patient understanding of available treatment options and support informed decision making.
• Serve as a clinical resource for patients navigating complex or multi-step treatment plans, assisting with questions and concerns and facilitating communication with providers as needed.
• Provide education regarding follow up recommendations and the importance of adherence to established treatment plans.
• Communicate clinical concerns to the appropriate provider and facilitate timely follow up when additional evaluation or intervention is indicated.

Electronic Health Record Management, Documentation, and Reporting – 10%

• Utilize the electronic health record (EHR) to manage and monitor patients requiring navigation, including outstanding orders, referrals, diagnostic testing, and follow up recommendations.
• Document patient encounters, communications, education, and care coordination activities within the EHR in accordance with organizational and departmental requirements.
• Maintain accurate patient navigation records and tracking tools to monitor patient progress, identify gaps in care, and support timely follow-through.
• Assist with tracking departmental metrics, patient access measures, referral patterns, and other operational statistics as requested.
• Identify opportunities to improve patient tracking, communication, and navigation workflows through effective use of the EHR and departmental tracking tools.

Quality Improvement, Staff Education, and Departmental Support – 5%

• Participate in the development and implementation of departmental protocols, policies, and procedures designed to improve patient navigation and the overall patient experience.
• Provide feedback and recommendations regarding opportunities to improve care coordination, patient access, and clinical workflows.
• Educate and serve as a resource to other staff members regarding patient navigation processes and care coordination practices.
• Participate in departmental discussions and initiatives focused on patient experience, quality improvement, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain clinical competency within assigned areas of responsibility and complete required competency assessments and training.
• Promote the philosophy, goals, and objectives of EVMS Medical Group, the Department of OB/GYN, and the General OB/GYN and Urogynecology divisions by complying with established policies and procedures.
• Maintain attendance and availability necessary to meet departmental and patient care responsibilities.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications and Skills

• RN required.
• Completion of BLS or other approved CPR courses required with recertification every 2 years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum three or more years of gynecology, labor and delivery, or medical-surgical clinical experience preferred.

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