Nurse Navigator- Full Time - Mercy Virtual Cares Center

Find your calling at Mercy!

The Nurse Navigator is a leader providing support, mentorship, and guidance to those who provide direct patient care. The Nurse Navigator coordinates the delivery of patient care by assessing care requirements of the individual patient and makes recommendations based on severity of illness, intensity of service and skill level. The Nurse Navigator ensures patients receive timely, safe, effective and high quality care. They coordinate the patient's plan of care with the bedside nurse. The Nurse Navigator sets the expectations regarding professional conduct and serves as a resource for the patient care unit. The Nurse Navigator will hold direct and indirect care providers accountable for their professional responsibilities, and adherence to regulatory guidelines. The Nurse Navigator is responsible for management for the assigned inpatient, and outpatient population. This position is designed to facilitate an effective process of the new care model; supporting quality patient care, safety, and financial components; promoting integration of a seamless care model; coordinating patient discharge planning for post-acute services, length of stay (LOS) management and utilization management; collaborating to include coordination as evidenced by metrics, optimizing performance and adoption of best practice. Responsibilities include; pre-op education, daily rounding while the patient is in the hospital, patient discharge disposition, and follow-up care. They perform duties and responsibilities in a manner consistent with our mission, values, and Mercy Service Standards.

Position Details:

Nurse Navigator

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Work Location: Remote

Position Summary

The Nurse Navigator serves as a clinical leader and patient advocate, coordinating care across the continuum to ensure patients receive safe, timely, high-quality, and personalized healthcare services. This role partners closely with physicians, bedside nurses, care teams, patients, and families to guide treatment plans, facilitate care transitions, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the overall patient experience.

The Nurse Navigator provides clinical expertise, mentorship, and support to care teams while overseeing care coordination, discharge planning, utilization management, and quality improvement initiatives. This position plays a key role in promoting seamless patient care, reducing barriers to treatment, and ensuring adherence to best practices and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Care Coordination & Navigation

• Coordinate and oversee the delivery of patient care for assigned inpatient and outpatient populations.
• Assess patient needs and make recommendations based on severity of illness, care requirements, and appropriate level of service.
• Collaborate with bedside nurses, providers, and interdisciplinary teams to develop, implement, and evaluate individualized plans of care.
• Conduct patient rounds and serve as a primary resource for patients and families throughout the care journey.
• Provide pre-operative education, discharge planning, and post-discharge follow-up care.
• Ensure patients and families understand treatment plans, discharge instructions, and ongoing care requirements.
• Facilitate smooth transitions of care and coordinate post-acute services as needed.

Clinical Leadership & Staff Support

• Serve as a clinical resource, mentor, and guide for nursing staff and other healthcare professionals.
• Promote professional accountability, regulatory compliance, and adherence to organizational policies and standards.
• Support a culture of excellence, teamwork, patient safety, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate nursing care based on staff competencies and patient care needs.
• Delegate responsibilities appropriately and ensure accountability for care delivery.

Quality Improvement & Performance Management

• Actively support initiatives designed to improve quality, patient outcomes, safety, and operational performance.
• Collaborate with healthcare teams to reduce length of stay (LOS), optimize resource utilization, and improve care efficiency without compromising quality.
• Participate in quality improvement activities and implement evidence-based best practices.
• Analyze patient care outcomes, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement corrective action plans.
• Assist with tracking and reporting key performance indicators and clinical metrics.

Utilization & Resource Management

• Monitor patient progression throughout the continuum of care.
• Document utilization management activities and patient care data accurately within electronic medical record systems.
• Utilize technology and data analytics to support quality improvement, risk management, and performance measurement.
• Maintain knowledge of insurance authorization, precertification processes, and reimbursement requirements.

Program Development & Community Engagement

• Assist with program growth, development, and community outreach efforts.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with physicians, healthcare partners, and referral sources.
• Track referral patterns, market trends, and patient outcomes to identify opportunities for program improvement and growth.
• Collaborate with physician leaders and program coordinators to enhance program structure and content.
• Partner with industry representatives, community organizations, and healthcare stakeholders to support program awareness and patient access.

Professional Development

• Maintain current knowledge of clinical best practices, treatment advances, and emerging healthcare trends.
• Participate in professional organizations, continuing education, and leadership development opportunities.
• Contribute to an environment that fosters professional growth, learning, and collaboration.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing

Licensure

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the applicable state of practice

Experience

• Minimum of 2-3 years of nursing experience

Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS)

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Certifications

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong clinical assessment and critical thinking skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
• Care coordination and case management experience
• Knowledge of utilization management and discharge planning practices
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and influence outcomes
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Proficiency with electronic medical record systems, including Epic
• Commitment to patient-centered care and service excellence

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds on a regular basis
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday
• Ability to bend, kneel, squat, reach, twist, and perform other physical movements necessary to provide patient care

Why Join Us?

As a Nurse Navigator, you'll play a vital role in guiding patients through complex healthcare journeys while improving outcomes, enhancing care coordination, and ensuring a seamless experience for patients and families. This position offers the opportunity to combine clinical expertise, leadership, and patient advocacy to make a meaningful impact every day.

Why Mercy?

From day one, Mercy offers outstanding benefits - including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, tuition support, and matched retirement plans for team members working 32+ hours per pay period.

Join a caring, collaborative team where your voice matters. At Mercy, you'll help shape the future of healthcare through innovation, technology, and compassion. As we grow, you'll grow with us.