Patient Navigator/Patient Care Coordinator

Position Overview:

A Patient Navigator is a healthcare professional who guides patients throughout their amputee journey, ensuring they receive the right care from amputation to release to prosthetic care, and with the necessary support services to help through the transition. They act as a bridge between the patient, healthcare providers, and other services to make the process smoother and less overwhelming. A Patient Care Coordinator facilitates an excellent patient experience and supports clinic operations based on expert or specialized knowledge for the assigned prosthetics and/or orthotics medical practice. Responsibilities include greeting and registering patients, compiling complete chart documentation, and supporting clinical and technical staff.

Key Responsibilities:

• Guide patients through the CARES program (follow up care post amputation).

• Main priority is consistent touch point with the patient. You are the source of knowledge to help a new amputee through the process by providing emotional support. 

• Assist with answering questions about new daily living activities. (ADL’s)Ensuring they understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and care plans Advocate for patients’ needs within the healthcare system to ensure they receive appropriate care.

• Assist patients in overcoming barriers to care, such as financial, logistical, or social obstacles.

• May assist with schedule appointments, coordinate referrals, and follow up on care plans.

• May assist with patient recall.

• Facilitate communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers.

• Monitor patients' progress and address any issues or concerns that arise during their care.

• Provide patients with educational materials and resources related to their condition and treatment.

• Educate patients on self-management practices and preventive care.

• Connect patients with community resources, such as support groups, charitable assistance, and social services.

• Maintain accurate and up to date documentation of patient interactions to help transition care to the healthcare provider.

• Track the patients’ clinical services provided by the O&P provider and report back to the referring physician.  Close the loop.

• Collaborate with healthcare teams to improve patient care processes.

• Answers the telephone and either responds to inquiry, directs caller to appropriate personnel, or initiates a triage email for response by clinical personnel.

• Schedules appointments, verifies and updates patient demographics, referral source and insurance information in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR). Obtains copies of insurance cards, drivers' licenses and other documentation from referral sources and scans relevant items into the EMR.

• Initiates documentation requests from physicians and other healthcare providers and ensures information is included as part of the patient's medical record prior to product delivery and claim submission.

• Verifies patient insurance benefits, relays information on relevant payment and billing/collection policies and collects patient responsibility payments.

• Maintains a clean, orderly and safe environment for patients and visitors. Follows infection control/safety procedures by adhering to applicable guidelines. Takes patient height, weight and reviews relevant medical history with patient. Prepares treatment rooms and patient care areas.

• Provides administrative support to the practice as needed. Strives for a paperless work environment and full-utilization of technology‐based processes to drive operational efficiencies.

• Assists in marketing efforts to build relationships with local referral sources.

• Maintains professional relationships with patients, referral sources, clinical and non-clinical employees. 

• Maintains product and administrative technical knowledge by actively participating in ongoing training and development courses.

• Carries out analysis of administrative support needs based on current clinic work in progress knowledge.

• May obtain prior authorization as required by payer.

• May assist in manually pricing items, based on insurance guidelines.

• May provide administrative guidance of insurance coverage based on interpretation of LCDs and payer medical policies.

• May support more junior peers with some work.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent is required.<