Alzheimer’s Nurse Navigator; RN

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what’s possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people’s lives.

Job Summary: This is a liaison position requiring clinical experience, self‑direction, attention to detail and follow‑up, and ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, families and the public. In conjunction with physicians and members of disease‑specific teams, the Nurse Navigator is responsible for guidance and coordination of services for bariatric and spinal surgery patients and their caregivers through the continuum of care.

The Nurse Navigator will provide program management and oversight for Kennestone’s Bariatric Surgery program and Spinal Surgery Program.

• Coordinate patient follow‑through:
  Pre‑Op, Acute, and Post‑Operative phase.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards to obtain or maintain disease‑specific certification.
• Work with Unit Manager to address individual program expectations related to patient care outcomes.
• Serve as a liaison between patient and physician for information related to bariatric and spine surgery.
• Identify patients who will benefit from navigation and assist with barriers including insurance, financial issues, need for personal support, mobility or sensory deficits, transportation and language.
• Collaborate with all members of the Bariatric Committee and Spine Committee, medical staff, and administration to provide quality comprehensive care to patients.
• Maintain and disseminate current information about medical and community resources.
• Evaluate outcomes of interventions and services and revise strategies as needed.
• Be available to patients and staff as a resource for information, questions and concerns.
• Use evidence‑based practice to guide new initiatives in the community and in the inpatient arena related to both bariatric and spine surgery.
• Coordinate with Unit Manager/Educator/APN on maintaining best practices.
• Facilitate performance improvement activities with primary focus on patient outcomes and program efficiency.
• Identify or assist in developing appropriate multimedia education material with input and approval of Disease Site Team and Marketing Department.
• Provide and document initial and ongoing education to patients and caregivers about disease, treatment, diagnostic procedures, and other information.
• Participate in community outreach related services.
• Use adult learning principles when developing or presenting information.
• Maintain professional manner and dress reflecting image of professional health care provider in a world‑class health setting.
• Demonstrate outstanding written, verbal, non‑verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Possess current knowledge about disease, therapy, diagnostics, and technology by seeking and participating in formal and informal education opportunities.
• Work with unit inpatient educator to coordinate professional education for staff and the community.
• Partner with Professional Practice and Unit Managers to reinforce expectations in pathway implementation at the local level.
• Participate in service recovery as needed.
• Serve as a secondary liaison to physicians to facilitate physician satisfaction.
• Assist Unit Managers with team building efforts to facilitate engagement, attending staff meetings as needed.
• Monitor customer satisfaction and feedback and offer suggestions for improvement.

• Bachelor’s in Nursing or Master’s in Nursing

• Registered Nurse (Single State) or RN – Multi‑state Compact
• Basic Life Support or BLS – Instructor

Minimum 3 years of adult acute care clinical experience, with required or strong bariatric and orthopedic spinal experience with exposure to program development.

Experience in…