Patient Navigator RN

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 9, 2014

Hi!
I have an interview for a patient navigator @ a family practice office. Anyone have any experience with this position? Just curious to know what your day is like. I've been an ER nurse for 13 years, I am BEYOND burnt out and really need a change.

Is this connected with the ACA? I know of positions with this title or similar, but since it is new, I do not know very many nurses that perform this job. What I am told, my understanding from a recruiter, is that your day might be 8-5, M-F. You are given a case load of those who are in your "home" (The patient's health care home, which is usually their PCP). You troubleshoot problems with patients and assist in preventing them from needing or over utilizing higher levels of care. This includes, but is not limited to, referrals to community resources, connecting them to insurance, and making sure that he/she is compliant with medical treatments and care. Ask your potential employer his/her expectations so that you have an idea what your day might be....

Just a heads up... I do not know if this is what a navigator does, but some PCPs assist families with placement issues (custodial placements for elderly patients) and use their RNs, NPs, and/or MSWs in making those arrangements, so you may have to do this too.... Good luck.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 9, 2014

Is this connected with the ACA?

In my area, RN navigators have been around for years; to my understanding, it's to help coordinate care for individuals who would otherwise slip through the cracks in relation to the process of their illness.

Here's an article about RN navigators from 2011 from WSJ: http://m.us.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111904253204576510472828240848?mobile=y

I will try to find the ADVANCE article from many years ago about ER nurse navigators-I remember reading about them many years ago.

ER_RN07 · Jan 9, 2014

I'm assuming this is related to the ACA, sounds like the goal is to reduce both re-admissions & patients using the ED as their PCP. It sounds like a lot of patient teaching which I love!