Nurse Navigator

Department
 

CSL SHS: Clinical Operations Management

About the Department
 

The University of Chicago is one of the nation’s leading institutions of higher education and research. Student Wellness (SW) is part of the division of Campus and Student Life and serves the student body by providing primary care, wellness, counseling, and psychiatric services in support of achieving holistic care of the student.

Job Summary
 

Reporting to the Clinical Operations Manager, the Nurse Navigator in the Student Wellness Center provides focused assistance to patients who are students with complex medical needs. Ensures seamless patient care is provided to students who require assistance coordinating medical care, navigating transitions of care, coordinating complex referrals, and closely following students who have been recently hospitalized. The Nurse Navigator works with providers, campus partners, and others to meet student care needs. May provide direct patient care when required as well as facilitate comprehensive coordination of care for patients, eliminate barriers to timely care, facilitate interactions to referred services, increase patient and provider satisfaction, and function as the primary point of contact for patients. Functions as the resource nurse on the floor in the absence of the Clinical Operations Manager.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the central point of contact for all patients with identified chronic and medically complex conditions such as (but not limited to) asthma, COPD, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, HIV, heart and vascular disease, cancer, MSK, transplant, etc., as well as psychiatric and behavioral diagnoses.

• Works with patients who require follow up after discharge from the emergency room and/or inpatient hospitalization, including a psychiatric hospitalization.

• Assists patients in navigating medical, nursing, ancillary, and other supportive services.

• Partners with provider and administrative team to facilitate, coordinate, and ensure patient access to clinical and support services.

• Works directly with students to identify and anticipate clinical needs.

• Conducts follow up phone calls with patients at the request of the provider; coordinates follow up activities, answers questions, and reviews and ensures understanding of plan of care.

• Provides education to patients, families, and significant others; acts as an information resource to students, health care professionals, and relevant campus partners.

• Collects and reports data from patient on barriers, health care, medications, prior treatments, etc.

• Monitors patient compliance with patient treatment plan and provides coaching and guidance as necessary.

• Assists patients with referrals to outside resources and care coordination as needed. Partners with Case Workers in Student Counseling as necessary.

• Designs and oversee the USHIP referral program.

• Participates in the orientation, training, and evaluation of new staff.

• Provides direct nursing care as needed and when appropriate.

• Follows established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.

• Function as back up to Clinical Operations Manager role in his/her absence to function in a resource role and provide oversight to clinical staff and manage floor operations.

• Applies logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

• Has a solid understanding of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

• Performs miscellaneous and other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Current Registered Nurse license in Illinois.

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Experience:

• Advanced knowledge and skill of RN, LPN, and MA clinical practice duties.

• Experience working in an ambulatory care setting.

• Experience working in a