Description

Job Summary  

The role of the Orthopedic Nurse Navigator (ONN) is that of advocate, consultant, and educator in the implementation and coordination of the multidisciplinary care of the Joint Center patient. The ONN is responsible for facilitating the coordination of patient care, working collaboratively with other members of the healthcare team through the pre-operative, operative, acute inpatient, and post-acute phases of care. The ONN acts as a liaison between surgeons/surgical practices, Pardee Surgical Services, Care Management and other ancillary services to ensure the needs of the patient are being addressed. As the primary point of contact throughout the joint replacement continuum of care, the ONN ensures patients/family receive appropriate education, discharge planning, transitional care, and post-acute follow-up. 

Responsibilities And Scope 

• Provides individualized coordination of care for the patient. Ensures appropriate pre- and post- operative preparation for every Joint Center patient. Navigates the patient from the time surgery is scheduled through the immediate 90-day post-discharge period. Provides accurate, on-going documentation of navigation and care coordination activities on each patient. Anticipates barriers to active participation in therapies and discharge. Tracks patient progress along care continuum. Provides timely feedback to patients and other providers on patients’ response to treatment. 

• Educates the patient and designated support person(s), where applicable, on the total joint replacement process and the expectations for treatment, care, and recovery. Assists patients using informed decision-making process and realistic goal setting in order to empower them to actively participate in their therapies and plans of care. 

• Participates in review of program protocols and care pathways. Serves as a partner with surgeons, patients, and other members of the care team to meet program objectives. In partnership with staff and departmental nursing leadership, acts as patient advocate resolving patient and family concerns. 

• Works in collaboration with key stakeholders in developing Orthopedic Centers of Excellence with various payors as well as accreditation agencies. Works in collaboration with orthopedic team to assess the overall joint program and looks for innovative ways to elevate and propel the program in line with best practice. Evaluates and remains current with approaches used in other top performing programs. 

• Works in collaboration with service line team to optimize outcomes, maintaining visibility and oversight on areas at risk within the CJR program including SNF utilization, discharge status to home and home health, post-acute spending, and other benchmarks and metrics. Capacity to evaluate quality data relative to population health in order to help develop orthopedic strategies. 

Qualifications 

Required 

• Must be licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of North Carolina or one of compact states. 

• Three (3) years of experience working in an orthopedic healthcare clinic or hospital setting. 

• Strong verbal and written communication. 

• Basic Life Support Certification 

Preferred 

• Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) 

• Five (5) years of experience working in an orthopedic healthcare clinic or hospital setting.  

• Orthopaedic Nurse Certification (ONC)