Nephrology Navigator

Department
 

BSD MED - Nephrology - Chapman Research Staff

About the Department
 

The Section of Nephrology at The University of Chicago is comprised of nineteen faculty members, two Ph.D. scientists, ten postdoctoral fellows as well as a staff of over 20 research, administrative and clinical personnel that are devoted to a mission of excellence in patient care, education and research. The nephrology program is ranked #23 by US News and World Report survey of best hospitals in the United States.

Job Summary
 

The position serves as the patient and professional representative for the UCMC philanthropic community, senior management, physicians and the BSD. Under the direction of a faculty sponsor and in collaboration with the program support team, the Nephrology Navigator will provide comprehensive coordination of care for patients with ADPKD and their families/caregivers, to eliminate barriers to timely care, facilitate flow through the system, facilitate interactions with clinical research, increase patient and provider satisfaction, maintain point of contact with providers, and serve as the first point of contact for patients and families with ADPKD. Given that this is a genetic disorder, the navigator most suited for this position is a genetic counselor and will be uniquely positioned to provides pre and post test genetic counseling, organization for cascade testing, helping with screening potential kidney donors, screening services, community outreach programs, consultative services. This position will provide support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. The navigator schedules appointments, performs comprehensive personal and family assessments, arranges genetic testing as appropriate, provides emotional support to families during treatment, takes family histories, summarizes cases, explains genetic testing procedures and results. Identifies families at risk, interprets information about the disorder, reviews available options with the family. Serves as a patient advocate and educator and engages in research activities related to the field of medical genetics.

Responsibilities

• Acts as a clinical liaison for patients, across medical services and clinical departments, working collaboratively and effectively to facilitate patient needs, including appointments, answering questions and gathering information from UCM departments. Acts as senior information source, owning all aspects of the patient pre- and post-visit experience, including database population management and analysis. The role also solves any presented issues and may be required to make on-the-spot decisions for patients as needed, to ensure patient-centered experience.

• Provides genetics counseling, screening services, community outreach programs, consultative services, and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions.

• Takes family histories, summarizes cases, explains genetic testing procedures and results, and provides general genetics counseling. Identifies families at risk, investigates the problem present in the family, interprets information about the disorder, analyzes inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence, and reviews available options with the family.

• Reviews implications with the patient and provides crisis intervention regarding unexpected genetic conditions. Serves as a patient advocate and refers individuals and families to community or state support services. Serves as an educator and resource for other health care professionals and for the general public.

• Assesses clinical, emotional, spiritual, psychosocial, financial, and other patient needs.

• Evaluates and manages patient symptoms before during and after treatment.

• Facilitates resolution to patient needs and monitors follow up.

• Educates/reinforces education with patients and families on disease, treatments, side effects, adverse reactions, and reportable signs/symptoms based on multidisciplinary care plan. 

• Coordinates care planning with the patient’s family, social workers, home nursing staff, nephrologists, and primary care physicians.

• Works with patients and family members to ensure medical and genetic testing instructions are understood and followed.

• Develops and/or coordinates development of patient education materials, clinical pathways, and quality studies.

• Coordinates and/or participates in multidisciplinary consultations including transplant evaluations.

• Documents recommendations made at multidisciplinary consultations.

• Helps develop a treatment plan that is understandable and feasible to the patient.

• Serves as clinical partner and escalation point for care providers.

• Promotes community education and increases disease awareness and screening capabilities.

• May be responsible for direct patient care.

• Interprets patient health problems and needs, develop and implement patient care plans, and maintain medical records.

• Has a solid understanding of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced degree in healthcare related field.
   

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to interact and communicate with clarity, tact, and courtesy with patrons, patients, staff, faculty, students, and others.

• Able to curate genetic testing reports from genetic results for affected and unaffected at risk individuals and their at risk family members.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Strong communication skills (verbal and written).

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Strong data management skills and attention to detail.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Adobe Acrobat.

• Ability to understand complex documents (e.g., clinical trials).

• Ability to handle competing demands with diplomacy and enthusiasm.

• Ability to absorb large amounts of information quickly.

• Adaptability to changing working situations and work assignments.

• Able to help work across multiple disciplines including surgery, transplantation, radiology, nephrology, obstetrics, general medicine and primary care.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Healthcare & Medical Services

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

Yes

Health Screen Required
 

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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