Nurse Navigator - Gastroenterology & Liver Transplant (Full Time)

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.

This position is full time, 40 hours per week (5 8-hour shifts). No nights, weekends, or major holidays.

This Nurse Navigator is involved in patient triage and referrals for both the GI and Liver Transplant divisions of BIDMC, and works closely with nursing and administrative leadership for both groups.

Under the general supervision of the Administrative Director in Collaboration with the Associate Chief of ambulatory nursing practice the Nurse Navigator practices within the Lahey Clinic Professional Practice Model, MA Nurse Practice Act, ANA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and demonstrates Lahey Clinic’s core values that reflect it’s Mission. The nurse-patient/family relationship, continuity of care and accountability are central to the delivery of individualized high quality patient care. Works in collaboration with the physician(s), other healthcare provider(s) and other ambulatory support staff within the department and with other disciplines to plan and coordinate the delivery of patient care.


A Nurse Navigator demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide expected standards of care based on physical, psychosocial, cultural, educational, spiritual, safety and age-appropriate considerations of patients.

The Nurse Navigator, in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act of Massachusetts Rules & Regulations- 244 CMR 3.0, shall bear full and ultimate responsibility for the quality of nursing care he/she provides to individuals and groups. Included in such responsibility are health maintenance, teaching, counseling, collaborative planning and restoration of optimal functioning and comfort or for the dignified death of those they serve.

The Nurse Navigator assumes the responsibility for the plan of care and has the authority to make decisions and is held accountable for decisions specific to assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the plan. The registered nurse facilitates the coordination of care across the continuum and demonstrates safe practice within the domains of:
• Clinical judgment and decision making
• Professional Relationships
• Clinical leadership
• Clinical scholarship

A responsibility and function of the Nurse Navigator includes Delegation & Supervision in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act of Massachusetts Rules & Regulations- 244 CMR 3.0 Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse: Board of Registration in Nursing and the ANA Principles of Delegation. The delegating registered nurse at Lahey Clinic bears the full and ultimate responsibility that includes but is not limited to:

• Making an appropriate assignment
• Properly and adequately teaching, directing and supervising the delegate
• The outcome of the delegation

The Nurse Navigator maintains a current level of knowledge and skill with technical procedures as defined by nursing specialty organization, complies with all regulations and standards of regulatory and accrediting bodies, and is currently licensed in the state of Massachusetts as a registered nurse.

The Nurse Navigator will establish contact with newly diagnosed cancer patients and/or family member, or caregiver to guide them through the disease specific care system. The Nurse Navigator will understand the clinical pathways established by the disease specific systems and will direct the patients to health care services within the organization for timely treatment and survivorship. The Nurse Navigator will actively identify and address barriers to care that might keep the patient from receiving timely and appropriate treatment for their cancer diagnosis. The Nurse Navigator will connect patients with resources, health care and support services in their communities and assist the patient and disease specific physicians in the transition from active treatment to survivorship. In addition the Nurse Navigator will maintain records of all patient related activities. The Nurse Navigator will work in cooperation with the disease specific clinical team to develop clinical pathways for appropriate care. The Nurse Navigator will act as the contact clinical person in resolving all patient related concerns. The Nurse Navigator ensures all medical information has been received by referring physicians, is responsible for reviewing all medical information prior to patient visit, and discusses with disease specific physician prior to patient visit. The Nurse Navigator maintains contact with referring physicians to ensure all are up to date on the patient plan of care. The Nurse Navigator in collaboration with the research department will develop outcomes measurement tools. The Nurse Navigator assists in identifying any open trial for patient eligibility.

Job Description:

II. Professional Relationship: The professional relationship is based upon Lahey Clinic’s guiding principles and positive effective communication. This relationship extends beyond formal assessment to integrate the particular patient’s response and his/her religious/spiritual, ethnic and cultural beliefs into the plan of care.

Establishes professional relationship with nurses, physicians and other colleagues and patients and families.

• The relationship includes the patient and family as a partner in care and is based upon Swanson’s Theory of Caring.

Educates the patient and family about the patient’s illness and treatment including preventative measures appropriate to the patient. Supports Lahey Clinics commitment to community based activities both within the Lahey community and beyond.

III. Clinical Leadership:  The Nurse Navigator supports the development of others and creates a practice climate of responsiveness and learning based on Benner’s Novice to Expert skills acquisition model.  This supports the retention and recruitment of clinically competent nurses.   The ability to lead and influence the reasoning of colleagues in the patient’s best interest depends on skillful comportment, authoritative clinical knowledge and wisdom, the conviction to act as an ethical agent despite adverse consequences, and the ability to listen and enhance others’ strengths. 

Demonstrates professional behavior by adhering to unit policies and procedures, practice guidelines specific to the setting and the ANA Code of Ethics. Demonstrates skills as a responsive team member. Demonstrates role of nurse as teacher. Demonstrate ability to fulfill role in Regulatory compliance and readiness.

IV. Clinical Scholarship: The Nurse Navigator achieves clinical scholarship through experiences with patients, through collaboration with colleagues and leadership and through formal education. Learning is transformed into knowledge through self-reflection and analysis.

Upholds standards of quality nursing care. Demonstrates a commitment to life long learning. Demonstrates evidenced based practice (EBP) in nursing.

Organizational Requirements:

• Incorporates Lahey Clinic Guiding Principles, Mission Statement, and Goals into daily activities. 

• Complies with all Lahey Clinic Policies.

• Complies with behavioral expectations of the department and Lahey Clinic.

• Maintains courteous and effective interactions with colleagues and patients.

• Demonstrates an understanding of the job description, performance expectations, and competency assessment.

• Demonstrates a commitment toward meeting and exceeding the needs of our customers and consistently adheres to Customer Service standards.

• Participates in departmental and/or interdepartmental quality improvement activities.

• Participates in and successfully completes Mandatory Education.

• Performs all other duties as needed or directed to meet the needs of the department.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Graduate of a state approved and/or accredited School of Nursing

Licensure, Certification, Registration: 

• Current license to practice professional nursing from the Massachusetts Board of Registration
• BLS certification.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:     

            Clinical Skills/Technical Knowled