GI, Hepatology, and Nutrition Patient Navigator (PAT NAVGTR CLIN 4 HX)

About the role

The Patient Navigator Clinical 4 (PN4) utilizes specialized knowledge and skills to serve as a technical leader and recognized expert in clinical patient navigation within a defined specialty area. This position functions with a high degree of autonomy, coordinating highly specialized supportive care plans with goals and interventions based on treatment and individual patient and service provider needs. Primary responsibilities include providing specialized clinical education regarding treatment; liaising with the patient's clinical service providers to address specific concerns; advocating for and representing the patient with a focus on satisfaction with the clinical aspects of their treatment experience; proactively identifying problems in clinical processes and operations and proposing solutions for situations with little or no precedent; developing and managing metrics to evaluate and improve program and patient outcomes; and taking a lead role in developing a culture oriented toward patient satisfaction.

This position applies advanced specialized clinical knowledge within the field to assess patient needs, coordinate patient care, make appropriate referrals for specialized support services, and coordinate highly specialized clinical and non-clinical resources based upon patient diagnosis, insurance coverage, and community programs. The Patient Navigator Clinical 4 teaches, mentors, and coaches others in workflows and technologies as needed; creates and refines documentation and workflow standards; and proactively facilitates patient care coordination and communication. Independent judgment is exercised within the context of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care, and problem-solving frequently requires analysis of unique issues and situations without precedent or established structure.

The UC Davis Health Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary practice providing advanced diagnosis, treatment, and management of the full spectrum of digestive and liver diseases. The team of board-certified gastroenterologists, hepatologists, advanced practice providers, registered nurses, and clinical support staff deliver evidence-based, patient-centered care across multiple ambulatory clinic sites and procedural locations. The practice serves a diverse patient population throughout Northern California, providing specialized care for conditions including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hepatology and liver disease, esophageal and motility disorders, pancreaticobiliary disease, advanced endoscopy, functional gastrointestinal disease, and nutritional disorders. As an academic medical center, the division integrates clinical excellence with innovative research and education, offering patients access to cutting-edge therapies, clinical trials, and multidisciplinary care teams. The practice operates 4 high-volume endoscopy and procedural suites, 5 ambulatory clinic locations, and specialized programs for complex GI conditions, collaborating closely with colorectal surgery, transplant hepatology, interventional radiology, oncology, and nutrition services.

The Patient Navigator IV — Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition serves as a recognized technical leader and specialized clinical resource for patients with complex GI specialty diseases and nutritional needs within the UC Davis Health Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division. This position utilizes specialized knowledge and skills to coordinate highly specialized care across the GI Specialty and nutritional support programs, functions with a high degree of autonomy, and applies advanced clinical expertise to develop, refine, and lead care processes and quality improvement initiatives. The role has recognized in-depth specialty expertise in GI Specialty (including but not limited to Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) and therapeutic nutrition, and serves as the primary clinical expert resource for patients, families, the GI/Hepatology care team, and other clinical staff. This position coordinates highly specialized interdisciplinary care under the direction of the GI/Hepatology Medical Director and Practice Manager, functioning as the expert clinical liaison between patients, families, the GI/Hepatology care team, referring providers, dietitians, pharmacists, and insurance companies. Core responsibilities include providing specialized clinical education regarding GI specialty care management and biologic therapies; coordinating nutritional assessment and intervention; identifying and resolving barriers to care; developing and managing program metrics; mentoring and coaching team members; and taking a lead role in continuous quality improvement projects within the GI specialty care and nutritional support programs. The position applies specialized clinical knowledge in GI specialty care management and therapeutic nutrition to perform comprehensive patient assessments, develop and coordinate individualized specialized care plans, and evaluate patient outcomes across the care continuum. This role proactively identifies problems in clinical processes and operations affecting patient satisfaction, proposes solutions for situations with little or no precedent, and leads the development and implementation of workflow improvements. The position teaches, mentors, and coaches clinical team members, creates and refines documentation and workflow standards, and manages debriefing and follow-up systems to ensure coordinated communication across the care team. Additionally, this role will cross cover care coordination for other patients with GI subspecialty and Hepatology disease patient care needs. This role requires a high degree of autonomy, independent clinical judgment, and advanced problem-solving capability within an interdisciplinary care model. The Patient Navigator IV demonstrates technical leadership, works independently in an ambulatory environment, and collaborates closely with GI/Hepatology physicians, advanced practice providers, dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, and community-based providers to deliver comprehensive, specialized, patient-centered care. This position takes a lead role in developing a culture oriented toward patient satisfaction and serves as a recognized expert resource for the division.

Responsibilities

• 90% — Nursing Process & Practice, Care Coordination and Patient Education
• 5% — Clinical Education, Staff Mentoring & Patient Experience Culture
• 5% — Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Projects

Requirements

• Valid California Registered Nurse License without restriction
• American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS), or UC Davis Health CPR
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience / training
• Graduation from an accredited school of nursing
• At least three (3) years of recent RN experience
• At least one (1) year of recent RN experience in an Ambulatory Setting
• Experience and advanced understanding of the medical management of GI and liver diseases
• Experience providing patient education and caring for patients with GI and liver diseases
• Experience caring for patients receiving medical management of GI and liver diseases such as motility disorders, functional bowel disorders, Crohn's, IBD, GERD, hepatitis B and C, cholangitis, and cirrhosis
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language
• Ability to utilize medical terminology appropriately
• Knowledge of current trends in nursing
• Commitment to excellence in patient care
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Demonstrates accountability and professionalism
• Adapts to change in a positive, professional and productive manner
• Knowledge of legal implications in clinical practice and documentation
• Knowledge of performance improvement and evidence-based practice
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care, taking into consideration protective interventions, development (behavioral and physical) and physiological characteristics specific to the patients
• Knowledge of medical management of GI and liver diseases such as motility disorders, functional bowel disorders, Crohn's, IBD, GERD, hepatitis B and C, cholangitis, and cirrhosis
• Mastery of Relational Competencies

Qualifications

• Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification (AMB-BC)
• Master's degree in related field
• Specialty Certification in GI Specific area
• Five (5) years of