Orthopedic RN Navigator?

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Hi,

I'm a RN with nearly 4.5 years of experience on an orthopedic unit. I enjoy orthopedics. Recently, a nurse recruiter reached out to speak to me about a position that was created at a large, nearby hospital: RN Navigator for Ortho patients. I'm just wondering how many of you have experience with this role. I've seen navigators for other specialties (in job postings) & am just not sure what to expect. I have to call the DoN back tomorrow and discuss the position. Naturally, I have tons of questions. Being on the unit at night, I don't get a ton of interaction with the docs, but I have no issues working closely with doctors, which I was told is a big part of the job. I also really enjoy educating patients and helping them understand the process and what to expect during their stay. I don't know a whole lot about what happens when they leave, aside from PT/OT/Home Health...

Can anyone add to this? Is it a M-F position in your facility? It seems very autonomous, which isn't a bad thing, but perhaps I am just a little insecure about my ability to fill the role! Thanks in advance!

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It is a M-F position in our facility with no weekends and no holidays. A large part of your role will be educating patients prior to their surgery on what they can expect before and after their surgery, the types of medications they will be given during their stay and their side effects, and basically just go overall their over all treatment plan while in the hospital. It is a very autonomous position where I work and you do work closely with the docs which is nice at times if you have a good rapport with them.

You will basically guide patients through their orthopedic hospital experience and act as a resource person.

Best wishes.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

We do something similar to that in a pre-op joint replacement class that is taught by nurse, PT, OT, discharge planner and outpatient PT. we have one of the PAs there too.

Not sure the logistics ot your position. Are you responsible for one pt at a time? We usually have 6-8 ortho post-ops M-Th. Fri seems to be the shoulders and ankles that go home Sat morning.

Lately, our biggest issue has been insurance approval moving at the same pace as pts ready to ;eave.

Good Luck!!! It sounds like a job I would like.

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