Pulmonary Disease Navigator

About the role

A Pulmonary Disease Navigator assesses and supports patients with respiratory conditions through education, care coordination, and therapy services.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients with diagnoses such as COPD, asthma, and respiratory failure to determine educational and follow-up needs.
• Develop and implement care plans, including COPD action plans, smoking cessation, medication management, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation.
• Educate patients on disease management, inhaler techniques, and self-care strategies, providing tailored educational materials.
• Coordinate discharge processes and follow-up calls to monitor patient progress and prevent readmissions.
• Maintain data on disease-specific admissions, readmissions, and outcomes to support quality improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive patient care.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in Respiratory Care and licensure with registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credential.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; pulmonary educator certification or willingness to obtain within six months.
• At least three years of experience as a respiratory therapist; preferred bachelor’s degree and five years of experience.
• Strong knowledge of cardiopulmonary physiology, medical terminology, and respiratory science.
• Effective communication, patient assessment, treatment planning, and ability to perform under stress.
• Physical ability to walk, stand, and transport equipment; manual dexterity; and visual acuity for computer and equipment use.
• Ability to evaluate diverse patient needs and communicate effectively across professional teams.