ED Nurse Navigator

Overview

An Emergency Department (ED) Nurse Navigator in the waiting room acts as a dedicated patient advocate: monitoring patient flow, assessing needs, and providing education and emotional support. This nurse serves as a single point of contact, troubleshoots issues, and helps patients and families manage the waiting room experience more efficiently. Nurse navigators primarily focus on the clinical aspects of a patient's care in their respective healthcare facilities.

Often, they help patients navigate their way to quality and timely care while explaining and responding to questions related to the treatment process. Navigators contribute actively to the movement of patients through the department by monitoring patient timelines and flagging a patient who is approaching their time limit for each stage or who appears to have stalled in the process, and helping to identify and troubleshoot in crisis areas.

• Respect for others
  :
  Demonstrate diligence in showing understanding and patience, avoid judging a patient's lifestyle habits or financial circumstances, and focus on helping the patient through the current medical situation.
• Strong communication
  :
  Interact with many people from diverse backgrounds; collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure patient care is carried through efficiently from registration to discharge.
• Multitasking ability
  :
  Handle several tasks or cases at one time and adapt to changing daily routines as each patient presents unique challenges and rewards.
• Patient Flow & Triage
  :
  Monitor the waiting room, track patient timelines, identify patients who may have stalled, assist with discharge if able through PIT process.
• Needs Assessment
  :
  Perform reassessments during wait times to determine if patient condition has changed/deteriorated, and update the triage/charge nurse accordingly. Act as a patient advocate and liaison between patients, families, and the clinical care team.
• Information & Education
  :
  Provide clear, accurate information regarding condition, potential procedures, and expectations of stay, including timelines, reinforcing that there may not be a next room available.
• Resource Connection
  :
  Connect patients with resources and services (social work, counseling, community support) as needed/requested.
• Logistical Coordination
  :
  Help manage patient care timelines to promote efficient movement through the ED; assist with lab draws and radiology testing as ordered through triage.
• Troubleshooting
  :
  Identify and address barriers to care (transport, EMS offloading, higher acuity census, bed holds) and resolve issues delaying progress through the ED.
• Emotional Support
  :
  Provide emotional support and empowerment to patients and families; offer warm blankets, ice packs, splints, etc., as warranted.
• Liaison
  :
  Communicate with triage/charge nurse and main ER to address patient concerns and facilitate decision-making.
• Data Collection
  :
  Collect and report data on patient barriers and healthcare information to contribute to system improvement; ensure accessibility to healthcare documents and patient portal.
• Rounding
  :
  Round on waiting room patients at least hourly to ensure needs are met and provide updates on ER status; answer questions to the best of the navigator's ability.
• Documentation
  :
  Place a brief note in each patient's chart detailing questions asked and assistance rendered.

• Nurse navigator education requirements: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is required.
• Experience
  : 1-2 years of nursing experience in an emergency department or critical care setting is desired.

• Current, unrestricted RN license in MO.
• Basic Life Support (BLS),
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS),
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and
• Trauma advanced certifications (TNCC, ATCN) are required.
• Pediatric Course (ENPC) certifications is preferred.

• Strong clinical skills and critical thinking abilities, with the capacity to perform under pressure.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a focus on patient-centered care.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment and collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
• Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHR) and other healthcare technologies.

• The role involves working in a high-stress, fast-paced environment with exposure to emergency situations and critically ill patients.
• Shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays, is required.

The position requires standing for extended periods and may involve lifting, moving, or assisting patient.