RN Patient Navigator - Integrated Health/Addiction Medicine

RN Patient Navigator – Role Overview

The RN Patient Navigator is a key member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, serving as a patient advocate, educator, interpreter, and counselor. This role coordinates patient care across the full continuum, ensuring seamless, patient-centered care from screening through treatment and survivorship. The RN Patient Navigator also serves as a clinical resource with specialty care expertise and a liaison between the facility, community, and patients.

This role will consist of working with the Integrated Health Clinic providing treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) utilizing Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), which combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies.

Primary Responsibilities

Care Coordination & Communication

• Coordinate written and verbal communication related to the medical treatment plan among patients, families, physicians, physician staff, and multidisciplinary team members

• Communicate and coordinate treatment plans with internal and external departments and agencies to maintain continuity of care

• Serve as a central link between patients and all care providers

• Review medical documentation to support accurate and complete physician treatment plans

Patient Navigation & Support

• Assist patients and families in understanding diagnoses, treatment options, side effects, and available resources

• Provide guidance to help patients navigate the healthcare system and resolve treatment-related barriers

• Support patients during complex or difficult decision-making periods

• Follow patients throughout the care continuum, including inpatient admissions, in collaboration with inpatient care management

Clinical Practice & Education

• Provide expert nursing care through direct clinical practice, consultation, and education

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care using the nursing process

• Initiate and document patient and family education based on assessed needs

• Deliver education related to disease processes, treatment expectations, side effects, and community resources using appropriate documentation tools

Coordination of Services & Resources

• Facilitate and coordinate appointments for consults and support services, including:

  • Social work

  • Physical, occupational, and speech therapy

  • Dietetics

  • Physicians

  • Financial and community resources

Quality, Data, & Program Support

• Collaborate with service line personnel to collect data, track outcomes, and support strategic planning

• Assist in reviewing, updating, and developing policies related to services provided

• Serve as a clinical and educational resource for staff and community outreach events (health fairs, screenings, symposiums, lectures)

Education Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or ability to obtain BSN within three years of hire

• Preferred: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Experience Qualifications

• Required: Minimum of 2 years of professional nursing experience in a specialty area

Licenses & Certifications

• Required: Active Registered Nurse (RN) license – Louisiana State Board of Nursing

• Required: American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification