RN Navigator - Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Overview

The RN Navigator serves as a pivotal resource to coordinate and facilitate comprehensive surgical patient care across various specialties and service lines. This role combines clinical expertise with compassionate advocacy to assist patients in navigating the healthcare system, ensuring optimal treatment outcomes and a seamless surgical care experience. The RN Navigator functions collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams to deliver holistic, patient-centered care while supporting program development, quality improvement, and education initiatives.

Qualifications

Certifications:

Basic Life Support (BLS) within 30 days - American Heart Association (AHA);
Licensed Registered Professional Nurse (RN) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR);
National Nursing Certification

Education:

Bachelors Degree Nursing (BSN),

Work Experience:

Experience required at 2 yrs within Orthopedics as an RN. Strong communication, organizational, and critical-thinking skills. Proficiency in conflict resolution, delegation, and time management. High comfort level with electronic medical records (EMR) and data management systems. Ability to work autonomously while effectively collaborating within a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a liaison between physicians, nursing staff, ancillary staff, and patients/families to enhance continuity of care across the treatment continuum.
• Navigate patients through the care process, including diagnosis, surgical treatment, and follow-up, to ensure a positive experience and outcomes.
• Facilitate appropriate referrals, scheduling, and follow-up appointments to optimize the longitudinal care continuum.
• Independently apply the nursing process (assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation) to provide direct patient care as needed.
• Develop, update, and document individualized, patient-centered care plans.
• Deliver holistic care, including psychosocial support, education, and age-appropriate interventions.
• Provide patients and families with education about diagnoses, surgical treatment options, procedures, medications, and available resources.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive educational materials and resources tailored to patient needs.
• Promote patient empowerment and engagement through evidence-based practices.
• Collaborate with administrative leadership and provider teams to develop and implement clinical practice guidelines, policies, and care protocols.
• Monitor program performance metrics, including quality benchmarks, patient survey's, patient outcomes, and growth opportunities.
• Participate in the planning and execution of community outreach programs, professional committees, and multidisciplinary clinics.
• Maintain clear and effective communication with patients, families, and the healthcare team to support high-quality care delivery.
• Serve as a resource and mentor to staff, facilitating education and competency development.
• Adhere to all policies, procedures, and regulatory standards, including point-of-care testing and quality control protocols.

About Us

Find it here.

Discover the job, the career, the purpose you were meant for. At Carle Health, we're committed to fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered, where passion and purpose come together to positively impact the lives of our patients and our communities. Find it all at Carle Health.

Our nearly 17,000 team members and providers work together to support patient care across central and southeastern Illinois. We've grown to include eight, award-winning hospitals and a multispecialty provider group with more than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice providers. We're developing the next generation of providers and healthcare professionals through Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world's first engineering-based medical school, and Methodist College.

Carle Bro Menn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center hold Magnet designations, the nation's highest honor for nursing care.

We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis…