Registered Nurse Navigator

SUMMARY

The Neuro Navigator for the Concussion Program serves as the central point of contact and care coordinator for patients with suspected or diagnosed a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury. This role guides patients and families through the continuum of care—from initial referral and evaluation through treatment, recovery, and safe return to school, work, and play—ensuring timely access, clear communication, and evidence-based, patient centered care. This role will engage in interface with contracted school districts around clinical care, professional development, and parent/student educational support and will require periodic travel in Suffolk County.

Job Duties & Essential Functions

• Care Coordination & Navigation
• Serve as the primary contact for patients and families, facilitating communication between patients, providers, schools, athletic trainers, and other care team members.
• Reach out to patients who were discharged from Urgent care or Emergency Department to check in on their status.
• Coordinate patient’s care, including triage, scheduling of initial visit.
• When necessary, assist patients with follow up visits, imaging, neuropsychological testing, therapy, and specialty referrals.
• Follow up on missed appointments, test results, etc.
• Clinical Assessment & Support
• Perform nurse-level assessments under established protocols (e.g., symptom scales, red-flag symptom review).
• Identify urgent or emergent symptoms and escalate care to appropriate providers or emergency services as needed.
• Reinforce provider-developed care plans, including symptom management strategies, activity modification, sleep hygiene, headache management, hydration, and medication education.
• Patient & Family Education
• Provide individualized education, expected recovery, warning signs, and when to seek urgent care.
• Offer written and verbal instructions tailored to age, literacy level, culture, and role (e.g., parent, coach, school nurse, employer).
• Promote self-management strategies and realistic expectations to reduce anxiety and improve adherence.
• Provide parent education and professional development within school settings.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Collaborate closely with physicians, advanced practice providers, neuropsychologists, physical/occupational/speech therapists, athletic trainers, case managers, and school liaisons.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and case conferences to review complex cases and update care plans.
• Communicate recommendations and restrictions to schools, teams, and employers, with appropriate patient consent.
• Work closely with school district CARE Initiative staff and faculty to build team.
• Program Development & Quality Improvement
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and refinement of clinical pathways, policies, and patient education materials.
• Identify barriers to care (transportation, insurance, communication gaps) and propose solutions to improve access and patient experience.
• Support staff education and community outreach (e.g., school nurse in services, coach education sessions, concussion awareness events).
• Responds timely to requests from CARE Initiative contracted school districts in collaboration with CARE leadership.
• Documentation & Compliance
• Document all patient encounters, education, assessments, and coordination activities in the electronic health record (EHR) in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ensure that care is consistent with organizational policies, concussion management guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and other privacy regulations.

Qualifications

• Required Education & Qualifications:
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in New York.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or equivalent; or ADN with relevant experience (BSN preferred if required by organization).
• Minimum [2-3] years of nursing experience in neurology, emergency medicine, pediatrics, sports medicine neuro-surgery, trauma surgery, or related field.
• Current BLS certification.
• PREFERRED Qualifications:
• Experience in concussion management, brain injury, sports medicine, or neurology clinics.
• Certification in relevant specialty (e.g., CNRN, CCRN, or case management certification) or willingness to obtain within a specified timeframe.
• Experience with patient education and care coordination across multiple settings (clinic, school, community, athletics).