Nurse Navigator-Cardiology/Heart Failure

The Cardiology/Heart Failure RN Navigator helps the cardiology and/or heart failure patient navigate through the healthcare process throughout the duration of the care, beginning with first contact with the AMG Cardiology department continued on as long as they are under care of an AMG cardiologist. They are  responsible for assisting with coordination of post hospital care, including scheduling of appointments and procedures to provide quality care and help prevent readmission. They will also be responsible for assisting with gathering all required patient documentation/data and reporting. The RN Navigator will collaborate with the inpatient team, cath lab and clinic to coordinate care planning and assist patients in problem solving issues related to system, financial or social barriers. They will take an active role in the patient discharge process, participating in such activities as: discharge teaching/education, assisting with getting prescriptions filled, schedule post-procedure clinic visits, etc.

The RN Navigator will also participate and coordinate internal and external quality assurance programs related to cardiology and heart failure, specifically as it relates to hospital accreditation and certification expectations.

• Nursing Diploma and/or Associate Degree in Nursing required
• BSN preferred
• Current and valid Registered nurse license in the Commonwealth of Virginia or from a state that is part of a Compact agreement with Virginia required.
• BLS required
• ACLS within six months of employment required
• Certified Heart Failure Nurse (CHFN) or Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (RN-BC) certification recommended within two years of hire.
• Minimum of two years Critical Care, Cardiology, Cardiac Cath Lab or heart failure clinic experience required
• Experience related to cardiology and/or heart failure patients preferred

• Ensures that hospital follow-up appointments are scheduled for patients who were discharged from the hospital
• Serves as liaison between the patient, medical staff and services
• Plans and implements a collaborative program with referral services to ensure a seamless delivery of care
• Identifies and helps patients who may qualify for financial assistance and/or patient assistance programs for prescription drugs
• Monitors inpatient consults to identify opportunities for patient education related to new diagnosis, medication and/or to help manage chronic health conditions, such as heart failure
• Assists with post hospital discharge medication coordination
• Consults with and utilizes community resources to optimize treatment and support
• Responds to patient phone calls/cases related to urgent new patient referrals
• Assists with appointment and test scheduling for pre-transplant patients
• Calls patients discharged from Cardiology service in the hospital within 72 hours and document phone call in clinic EHR system.
• Collaborates with the ACO case management team on a regular basis.
• Other duties deemed by Management.
  

• Assists in tracking patient interventions and outcomes
• Participates in research as appropriate
• Tracks patients as they move through the healthcare system
• Provides timely and complete documentation for accurate patient care
• Tracks interventions and outcomes
• Collects and reports on heart failure patient data related to hospital accreditation/certification
• Helps coordinate and assist with any Augusta Health Foundation grants that relate to cardiology and/or heart failure
• Creates quarterly and annual reports as needed
• Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, procedures, quality assurance programs, and protocols.

• Proactively works to resolve issues to improve quality and efficiency of department(s)
• Consistently displays professionalism in dealing with patients and peers
• Embraces new ideas and procedures that will improve departmental performance
• Initiates opportunity or seeks collaboration with other departments
• Provides assistance in clear, courteous, professional, and flexible manner both orally and in
  writing
• Works cooperatively with other staff in a team environment
• Assists in marking plan in collaboration with Marketing Department
• Keeps immediate supervisor and team members fully informed concerning work progress
• Navigator is viewed by supervisor as being competent and possesses leadership skills and
  abilities that meet standards

Augusta Health recruits, hires and promotes qualified candidates for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran or military discharge status, and family medical or genetic information.