Hospice Navigator

The hospice navigator is a novel concept in hospice care.
Navigator services encompass the delivery of appropriate hospice care to patients in a standardized, patient centered, efficient manner with the goal of removing barriers to specialist level care and to support the goals of terminally ill patients approaching end of life.
The hospice navigator is the single source of contact for patients, their families and members of the interdisciplinary team who participate in the planning, implementation and delivery of the plan of care in the most efficient and effective manner.
The role of the hospice navigator includes:
- Providing access to quality, efficient and effective hospice care services
- Navigating the healthcare system to ensure timely, appropriate patient care
- Delivery of standardized specialist level hospice care
- Perform crisis intervention, preventive services amd symptom management designed to support quality of life
- Advocating for patients and families in setting the patient goals of care
- Acting as a liaison with healthcare providers, patients and families
- Coordinating, collaborating and case managing care and services
- Participating in interdisciplinary case conferencing, care planning and approval of the plan of care.
- Educating patients and families, healthcare providers and other team members
- Communicating effectively with all participants, healthcare providers and interdisciplinary team members
- Developing standards of practice, policies, scope of service, protocols and processes
The hospice navigator is:
- An experienced, advance practice nurse or clinical specialist.
- Has expertise in disease management
- Is an excellent case manager
- Has advanced level training in the care and treatment of patients approaching end of life
- Has excellent communication and coordination skills