Nurse Navigator

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 (NN) in the Student Wellness Center provides focused assistance to patients who are students with complex medical needs. The NN 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.

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 primary care follow up after discharge from the emergency room and/or inpatient hospitalization.
• PARTNERS WITH PROVIDER AND ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM TO FACILITATE, COORDINATE, AND ENSURE PATIENT ACCESS TO CLINICAL AND SUPPORTIVE 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.
• ENSURES TIMELY AND ACCURATE COLLECTION OF PATIENT DATA, INCLUDING HEALTHCARE ACCESS CHALLENGES AND TREATMENT HISTORY, TO SUPPORT QUALITY, COMPLIANCE AND OPTIMAL CARE PLANNING.
• 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.
• OVERSEES 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.
• FUNCTS AS BACKUP TO CLINICAL OPERATIONS MANAGER ROLE IN THEIR ABSENCE TO FUNCTION IN A RESOURCE ROLE AND PROVIDE OVERSIGHT TO CLINICAL STAFF AND MANAGE FLOOR OPERATIONS.
• DEMONSTRATES A SOLID KNOWLEDGE OF CLINICAL INFORMATION AND TECHNIQUES REQUIRED TO ASSESS, DIAGNOSE, AND TREAT INJURIES, DISEASES, AND RELATED HEALTH CONDITIONS. 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.

Requirements

• Education: Minimum Qualifications Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
• Experience: Advanced knowledge and skill of RN, LPN, and MA clinical practice duties. Experience working in an ambulatory care setting (Higher education experience is a plus). 3-5 Years of experience as a Registered Nurse in the above responsibilities. Advanced training or experience with college age or young adult populations. Experience in Care Management or Patient Navigation.

Skills

• Ability to demonstrate organizational and interpersonal/ communication skills.
• Demonstrated capability to work independently and collaboratively with others.
• Ability to assist in high level problem-solving due to the complexity of the situations encountered.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize workload.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, make independent decisions, and lead staff.
• Ability to function both autonomously and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment with composure and professionalism.
• Possess both a strong customer service orientation and a commitment to excellence and accuracy while working in a fast-paced, multi-tasked environment.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

Benefits

• The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.