Navigator RN

Sign on Bonus for qualifying new external RN Navigators available!

Franciscan Medical Group, part of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, is currently seeking a full time RN-Navigator for our Franciscan Cardiology Associates Clinic in Silverdale, WA. No nights, evenings, weekends or organizationally recognized holidays required. Come join our fast-paced, energetic team in a great learning environment. 

As a Navigator RN, you will provide expert nursing guidance and support to patients as they navigate complex healthcare journeys.

Every day you will assess patient needs, educate on treatment options, coordinate care across multiple providers, and facilitate access to resources, acting as a central point of contact.

To be successful, you will demonstrate strong clinical knowledge, exceptional communication and problem-solving skills, and a compassionate, patient-centered approach to ensure seamless and informed care.

This job is responsible for coordinating the individualized care continuum for patients diagnosed with on-going critical health conditions by serving as an advocate, educator, consultant, leader and community ambassador for the specific patient population served in accordance with CHI Franciscan Health (CHI-FH) standards/guidelines, applicable statutory requirements and accepted clinical practice for the clinical nurse profession to achieve quality, cost-effective and patient-focused outcomes.  An incumbent is a consistent care coordinator throughout the continuum of care and is able to assess the physical, psychological and social needs of the patient.  Work is strongly focused on: 1) guiding the patient/family through the complex healthcare system, working to eliminate barriers that might otherwise adversely impact patient care/outcomes; and 2) helping to coordinate the efforts of the medical team to facilitate continuity of care and enhance patient satisfaction.  

Incumbents are also accountable for keeping abreast of new/changing regulatory requirements impacting matters within designated scope of responsibility; maintaining current knowledge of departmental policies/standards/procedures, Joint Commission standards, new clinical procedures/processes, patient safety goals, core measure quality indicators and other issues/requirements impacting matters within assigned scope of responsibility; ensuring these factors are considered and integrated into clinical, performance improvement and education activities.

Essential Function
Coordinates care for all assigned patients throughout the continuum of care from diagnosis to release from care. Develops and shares assessments, goals, nursing interventions and patient response; remains a support system throughout the patient’s course of treatment.

 • Provides support to the patient/family during difficult decision-making periods, empowering them to make informed treatment decisions; advocates for patient/family in decision-making discussions, preserving and protecting patient autonomy, dignity, rights and cultural beliefs.

 • Provides education, psychosocial and logistical support to improve patient preparedness for treatment and to streamline care path transitions.

 • Determines and assesses personal needs/concerns and helps patients/families to understand treatment options and what the diagnosis means.

 • Identifies actual and/or potential problems/concerns and intervenes in a timely and appropriate manner.

 • Coordinates tests and other procedures so all are timely and with as few interruptions to the patient’s life as possible.

 • Provides follow-up for further diagnostic work-up, education and support to promote coping for both the patient and family.

 • Maintains ongoing communication with patients to check progress through the course of their experience to help assure their needs are being met

 • Attends and participates in hospital patient rounds with physician and/or multi-disciplinary team, depending on assigned department.

Provides education to meet the needs to patient, families, healthcare providers, and the community.

 • Continually assesses the educational needs of patient, families, healthcare providers and the community.

 • Initiates and documents patient teaching, working with all resources to provide all of the information patients and their families need and want.

 • Responds to patient requests for information regarding the disease process, treatment plans/options and expected side effects/outcomes of treatment

 • Develops educational materials from current literature and other resources and makes available to patients and healthcare providers/staff.

 • May plan and hold classes to meet patient needs.

Consults and collaborates with other providers to meet the medical, social, and financial needs of patients; Formulates an individualized, holistic care plan for patients and evaluates general management of patients and patient’s response to nursing interventions and multi-disciplinary treatment plans.

 • Communicates and collaborates with physicians involved in the patient’s care and formulates an individualized, holistic care plan for patients based on evidence-based research.

 • Consults with physicians/providers who need assistance with the care of their patients related to continuity of care, coordination of care and education, and resources services available.

 • Contacts and interacts with external services/support groups when appropriate to fulfill patient needs.

 • Refers patients to appropriate resources/professionals, and coordinates the appropriate resources and consultative services to provide seamless continuity of care and appropriate follow-up plan of care.

 • May provide advocacy assistance with insurance and/or financial issues.

 • Facilitates the development, implementation and adherence to clinical and research guidelines to ensure optimal clinical outcomes; works with care team to assure direct care needs are met, assisting as needed or assigned; ensures follow-up on identified patient clinical and non-clinical care, facilitating communication and compliance to care plans (e.g. medication reconciliation, follow-up on trigger points, patient care conferences, etc.).

 • Consults with physicians, professional nursing staff and ancillary members of the patient care team in determining nursing care/treatment plans/case management and to address clinical practice issues and changes.

Provides accurate and timely data tracking, management, evaluation and reporting of clinical/treatment protocols/practices through ongoing observation and analysis of current activities.

 • Contributes to an environment of quality and process improvement; ensures accurate and timely data collection and entry into patient database as indicated by department guidelines.

 • Identifies patterns of variance from standardized practices guidelines and recommends strategies to resolve them; tracks and evaluates interventions and outcomes.

 • Provides continuing assistance to management with respect to the implementation and ongoing maintenance of policies, standards, procedures and automated tools that support CHI-FH goals and department-specific objectives/initiatives.

 • Assists with the monitoring of patient outcomes; audits and evaluates results achieved in relation to objectives; participates in the development, evaluation, serves as department representative on cross-functional and interdisciplinary teams as assigned.

Provides operational support and contributes to clinical research activities conducted by department.

 • Assesses daily patient schedule, nurse staffing requirements and available resources in accordance with established standards/guidelines; may revise work schedules to ensure adequate staff coverage.

 • Coordinates clinical research activities conducted by the department.

The job summary and responsibilities listed above are designed to indicate the general nature of the work performed within this job. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all job responsibilities required of employees assigned to this job. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or other related discipline, graduation from an accredited school of nursing, and three years of related professional nursing work experience in the clinical focus area that demonstrates the attainment of the requisite job knowledge, skills and abilities. Previous navigator work experience is strongly preferred.  
• Additional equivalent qualifying work experience that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge/abilities may be substituted for two years of the degree requirement (Associate’s degree required). 
• Master’s degree in Nursing or related field is strongly preferred. 

License/Certification:

• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse issued by the Washington State Board of Nursing.
• Current Healthcare Provider BLS Certification.
• If assigned to Cardiology/EP department: Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• If assigned to Oncology department: Certification by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) as an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) required within one year of date of hire.

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a rich history of providing exceptional healthcare, dating back to 1891. Building upon a legacy of compassionate care and innovation, our organization has evolved over the years through strategic partnerships and integrations to expand our reach and services across the Puget Sound area.

Today, as Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we remain deeply committed to healing the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – in the communities we serve. This commitment is strengthened by the diverse expertise and shared values brought together through our growth.

Our dedicated providers offer a full spectrum of health care services, from routine wellness to complex disease management, all grounded in rigorous research and education. Our comprehensive network of 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites strategically located across the greater Puget Sound region reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and comprehensive care.

We are proud of our pioneering medical advances and numerous awards and accreditations that reflect our dedication to excellence. When you join Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you become part of a team that delivers top-quality, professional healthcare in modern, well-equipped facilities, and contributes to a legacy of service built on collaboration and shared purpose.