Total Joint Navigator

Steward Health Care; Odessa (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Steward Health Care in Texas is seeking a Total Joint Navigator RN to coordinate the patient experience from referral to follow-up within the Joint Replacement Program. You will serve as the primary contact for patients and families, coordinating preoperative requirements and education across multiple departments.

The role emphasizes care coordination, education, and adherence to joint replacement protocols.

Qualifications

• Current Registered Nurse license in the State of Texas.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of clinical nursing experience; orthopedic, perioperative, rehabilitation, or care coordination experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates patients through the joint replacement pathway from referral through post-discharge follow-up.
• Serves as the primary patient and family contact throughout the joint replacement process.
• Coordinates preoperative requirements, testing, clearances, and Joint Ready education.
• Provides and reinforces standardized preoperative and postoperative patient education.
• Identifies barriers that could delay surgery and facilitates timely resolution with the appropriate department.
• Collaborates with surgeons, anesthesia, PAT, Perioperative Services, PT/OT, nursing, case management and radiology.
• Tracks patient progression and promotes adherence to ERAS and VTE prevention protocols.
• Coordinates discharge preparation and reinforces post-op instructions and resources.
• Participates in program quality improvement and outcome measures.

Skills

Communication

Care coordination

Patient education

Organization

Education

Texas RN license

BSN preferred

Job description

The Total Joint Navigator coordinates the patient experience throughout the Joint Replacement Program, providing continuity of care from initial referral and preoperative preparation through hospitalization, discharge, and follow-up. The Navigator serves as a central point of contact for patients and families and facilitates communication among orthopedic surgeons, anesthesia, Perioperative Services, PAT, rehabilitation services, nursing, case management, and other departments involved in the patient’s care.

• Coordinates patients through the established joint replacement pathway from referral through post-discharge follow-up.
• Serves as the primary patient and family contact throughout the joint replacement process.
• Coordinates preoperative requirements, including registration, PAT, required testing, medical clearances, and Joint Ready education.
• Provides and reinforces standardized preoperative and postoperative patient education.
• Identifies barriers or incomplete requirements that could delay surgery and facilitates timely resolution with the appropriate department or provider.
• Collaborates with orthopedic surgeons, anesthesia, PAT, Perioperative Services, PT/OT, inpatient nursing, case management, radiology, and other multidisciplinary departments.
• Tracks patient progression through the program and promotes adherence to established ERAS, VTE prevention, and joint replacement protocols.
• Coordinates discharge preparation and reinforces postoperative instructions, follow-up expectations, and available resources.
• Participates in collection and monitoring of program quality and outcome measures, including patient-reported outcomes and registry requirements as applicable.
• Assists with Joint Replacement Program performance improvement, patient satisfaction, education, and program development.
• Participates in multidisciplinary Joint Replacement Program meetings and initiatives.
• Performs other duties related to program coordination as assigned.

Qualifications

• Current Registered Nurse license in the State of Texas or eligibility for Texas licensure.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of clinical nursing experience; orthopedic, perioperative, rehabilitation, or care coordination experience preferred.
• Experience caring for orthopedic or joint replacement patients preferred.
• Strong patient education, communication, organization, and care-coordination skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple disciplines and departments.
• Experience with quality improvement, clinical pathways, or healthcare data collection preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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