Jobs › Mercyhealth

Registered Nurse, Patient Navigator - Full Time

Mercyhealth · Rockford, IL · $38.80–$60.14 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 3, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

What case management or care coordination experience do you bring to this patient navigator role?

What they are checking: Whether they have handled discharge planning and transitions rather than only bedside care.

Tell me about a time you coordinated care across multiple providers or agencies.

What they are checking: Whether they can keep many parties aligned so the patient doesn't fall through the cracks.

How do you handle a limited on-call rotation alongside your daytime caseload?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage on-call duties without letting their regular caseload slip.

What would you do

A patient is ready for discharge but has no ride home and no one to help them at home. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they know community resources and can solve barriers quickly to avoid delays.

A family disagrees with the plan to send their mother to a skilled nursing facility. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they listen, explain options honestly and respect the patient's choices.

How do you prioritize your caseload when several patients are close to discharge at once?

What they are checking: Whether they can triage by complexity and urgency so discharges stay timely.

About the work

Walk me through how you find patients early who will need discharge planning help.

What they are checking: Whether they use case-finding and referrals early in the stay instead of waiting until discharge day.

How do you reduce the risk of a patient being readmitted after going home?

What they are checking: Whether they focus on follow-up appointments, medication understanding and home support.

How do you explain utilization review and why it matters?

What they are checking: Whether they understand admission criteria and how reviews affect patient status and payment.

How do you make sure all core measures are met before discharge?

What they are checking: Whether they track quality requirements and work with nurses and physicians to close gaps.

How do you teach a patient with heart failure or COPD to manage their condition at home?

What they are checking: Whether they teach chronic disease self-care clearly enough to prevent return visits.

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The full job description

As published by Mercyhealth.

OVERVIEW The RN Patient Navigator coordinates and facilitates patient care activities to assure appropriateness of services and efficient utilization of resources, improve coordination of care across the health care continuum, and to contribute to improved patient satisfaction and outcomes. Schedule : Monday-Friday with limited on-call rotation Shift : Days ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Provides case management, advocacy, and care coordination services to hospital patients in a variety of settings to assure seamless transitions in care while minimizing any associated delays or risk of readmission. • Conducts early patient assessment, by case-finding and referral, to identify coordination and discharge planning needs. • Creates individualized, patient -focused plan for meeting continuing care needs. • Makes referrals to post-hospital care providers utilizing knowledge of community resources. • Collaborates with the healthcare team to ensure discharge is timely, patient education and instructions are complete, and appropriate follow-up is established. • Utilizes current clinical nursing knowledge to effectively educate patients and families about chronic disease conditions. • Collaborates with staff nurses and physicians to ensure all elements for core measures have been met prior to discharge. • Conducts clinical review process according to Utilization Management Plan. • Identifies and intervenes in situations that pose financial risk to the patient and the organization. EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE Graduate of an accredited nursing program. - BSN or upon hire BSN completion agreement for enrollment in an accredited BSN Completion Program CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE Current Registered Nurse License in the state of practice. Case Management Certification (ACM) preferred. Certification preferred within three years to a specialty approved by CNO or designee; i.e.; Case Management, Med/Surg or Diabetic Education. BLS/CPR required within 90 days OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES May include color blind test (per department guidelines) Must be skilled with use of voice mail and phone features. Must be able to use available technology for language interpretation. Must have expert knowledge of Allscripts Care Management program and Epic EMR. Must be able to use Microsoft Outlook, and have basic knowledge of Excel and Word. Must be able to easily toggle between computer applications. Must be available to work and or be on-call on weekends and holidays, as assigned. On-call requires accessibility by pager or cell phone during assigned hours and ability to respond promptly to pages by phone. LEVEL OF SUPERVISION Assignments are based on abilities and are normally received in the form of results expected and due dates. Only general procedures are available to guide work. Must be able to work independently with minimal guidance. SUPERVISES This job has no supervisory responsibilities. PAY RANGE: $38.80 - $60.14 Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including: • Medical, Dental, Vision • Life & Disability Insurance • FSA/HSA Options • Generous, accruing paid time off • Paid Parental and caregiver leave • Career advancement and educational opportunities • Tuition and certification reimbursement • Certification Reimbursement • Well-being Programs • Employee Discounts • On-Demand Pay • Financial Education • Annual recognition/awards events • Partner appreciation days • Family entertainment/attractions discount • Community service/improvement opportunities Click here for more details regarding Mercyhealth Careers Benefit Information. At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including: • #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50 • One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers • A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women

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