Nurse Navigator (Registered Nurse)

Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Department: Specialty Services / Care Coordination
Employment Type: Full-Time

The Nurse Navigator is a key member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team who serves as an advocate, educator, and facilitator of care for patients throughout their healthcare journey. This role is responsible for ensuring that all referred patients receive comprehensive, coordinated, and high-quality care across the continuum, while supporting programmatic goals, patient outcomes, and quality initiatives.

The Nurse Navigator collaborates closely with physicians, advanced practice providers, clinical staff, and community resources to guide patients and families through diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and ongoing care.

Important: New Graduate Nurses should apply directly to the Nurse Residency Program or Residency Wait List. This position is intended for Registered Nurses with a minimum of one year of nursing experience.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) required

Licensure & Certifications

• Current State of Michigan Registered Nurse (RN) License required
• CPR/BCLS Certification required

Experience

• Minimum three (3) years of experience in an acute care setting
• Minimum one (1) year of experience in medical, surgical, or radiation oncology (for oncology specialty positions)

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN)

Certifications

• Specialty certification such as:
  • Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)
  • Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN)
  • Other applicable specialty certifications

Experience

• Case management experience
• Patient care leadership experience
• Five (5) years of experience within the applicable specialty area

Essential Responsibilities

Patient Care Coordination & Navigation

• Complete comprehensive assessments addressing patients' physical, psychological, social, environmental, financial, and functional needs.
• Coordinate timely appointments, diagnostic testing, treatments, and referrals.
• Collaborate with physicians and multidisciplinary team members to develop evidence-based treatment plans.
• Review diagnostic studies, clinical histories, and treatment courses to identify appropriate next steps in care.
• Monitor patient progress and adjust care plans as needed through ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration.

Patient Advocacy & Education

• Serve as a patient and family advocate throughout the care continuum.
• Identify barriers to care and facilitate access to resources and support services.
• Provide education regarding diagnoses, treatment plans, expected side effects, and available community resources.
• Support patients and families during complex treatment decisions and end-of-life care planning.
• Facilitate team conferences and care planning discussions when appropriate.

Case Management & Outcomes

• Develop and implement individualized case management plans using critical thinking and clinical judgment.
• Identify patients at high risk for treatment interruptions, complications, or poor outcomes and coordinate appropriate interventions.
• Coordinate care for hospitalized patients, including direct patient contact during hospitalization and discharge planning to reduce avoidable readmissions.
• Communicate plans of care effectively with patients, families, providers, and interdisciplinary team members.

Program Development & Quality Improvement

• Participate in performance improvement initiatives and evaluate clinical outcomes and care processes.
• Maintain disease-specific patient registries and oversee associated program data.
• Collect and analyze program metrics to measure effectiveness and patient outcomes.
• Collaborate with steering committees to establish quality goals, benchmarks, and performance metrics.
• Participate in developing policies, procedures, and multidisciplinary program initiatives.

Professional Practice

• Serve as a clinical expert and resource for disease-specific patient populations.
• Provide education and consultation to staff and healthcare team members.
• Foster collaborative relationships with physicians, healthcare professionals, patients, and external stakeholders.
• Actively participate in shared governance, nursing excellence initiatives, and Magnet-related activities.
• Pursue ongoing professional development and specialty certification.

Our Mission & Values

The Nurse Navigator is expected to consistently demonstrate the organization's Mission, Vision, Values, Guiding Behaviors, and standards of excellence through daily interactions, decision-making, and patient care practices.

Application Instructions

To be considered for this position, applicants must:

• Complete the application in its entirety
• Upload a current resume

This requirement applies to both external and internal candidates.

Please note: New Graduate Nurses should apply directly to the Nurse Residency Program or Residency Wait List. This position requires a minimum of one year of RN experience.

Join our team and make a meaningful difference by helping patients navigate their healthcare journey with compassion, expertise, and coordinated care.