Lifestyle Medicine Nurse Navigator-Endocrinology Full Time Days

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

**This is a Full Time, salaried position at 40 hours per week located at the Gurnee clinic. Schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm.**

The Lifestyle Medicine Nurse Navigator reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Lifestyle Medicine Nurse Navigator supports Patient Care Services (PCS) and the Metabolic Health & Bariatric Program by overseeing the care of all weight management patients in the North Region. The Navigator works with nursing leaders in Patient Care Services, the NMG practice managers and Physician leaders from various other service lines.

The Navigator works collaboratively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team to create an evidence-based continuum of care plan with the goal of optimizing clinical outcomes. The main responsibilities include coordination of care and direct provision of patient education. The Nurse Navigator will assist the patient in navigation of the comprehensive, team-developed, patient specific plan of care. The Nurse Navigator will partner with the patient to help them achieve the desired outcomes of their specific plans of care by maintaining regular patient contact and the systematic review of documentation of required care processes.

In collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, the Navigator will support the standardization of weight management care in the North Region and compliance with all policies and protocols through active involvement with Quality Committee. The individual in this position will be responsible for identification of care processes in need of improvement and proactively act to resolve unfavorable outcomes. Will serve on teams in an advisory capacity regarding updates to protocols, procedures, care guidelines and quality improvement. 

The Lifestyle Medicine Nurse Navigator will work directly with the Endocrinology and Bariatric Surgery service lines to review for compliance Obesity Medicine standards of care.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position functions in Lake County and accountabilities are as follows:

Clinical Care

• Serves as primary contact for physicians and other care providers, responsible for managing patient care needs and progress, throughout the continuum of care during the patient’s weight loss journey. 
• Assess patient understanding of the individualized, evidence-based care plan that includes patient identified self-management goals as well as physician/APN orders for further evaluation and treatment.
• Educate, encourage and support patient to actively participate in identified self-management care goals as they progress through the program. 
• Provide a smooth patient transition to the care of bariatric team as patient need dictates, by ensuring all evaluative tests have been completed and documented on the patient checklist.

Patient Education

• Evaluates learning needs and abilities of all patients and adapts education to meet those needs.
• Consult proactively with other disciplines to ensure patients are well-educated on the nutritional and psychosocial components of their plan of care. 
• Update the patient checklist to reflect ongoing recommendations of providers and ensure appropriate appointments have been scheduled.  
• Perform consistent assessments of patients to assure that weight loss plan created is being carried out and work with other multidisciplinary partners to close identified gaps.
• Perform chart audits as appropriate to determine compliance with education required of various disciplines.

Transition Care Planning

• Take a very active role in supporting preparation for transition to bariatric surgery track and ensure all required evaluations and testing have been completed. 
• Assist in transition planning for post-bariatric surgery patients returning to obesity medicine for weight recidivism.

Resource

• Serve as lecturer for on-line patient education offerings.  
• Conduct assessments with Professional Development and nursing staff regarding effectiveness of patient and staff education materials. 

Required:

• Minimum 2 years recent and related clinical experience.
• Bachelors of Science in Nursing.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR certification.
• Registered Professional Nurse licensure in the State of Illinois.
• The individual shall possess, interpersonal, and time-management skills, organizational skills and a working knowledge on care of patients of size.  

Preferred:

• Master of Science in Nursing – preferably with a focus on education.   
• Specialty certification – CBN (Certified Bariatric Nurse)
• 3 or more years of recent and related clinical experience

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

If we offer you a job, we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a case-by-case basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.