The Clinical Navigator is a specially trained Labor & Delivery registered nurse who provides individualized, trauma-informed support to patients with a history of trauma, high anxiety, or other concerns surrounding childbirth. Through a dedicated, two-hour prenatal consultation at the hospital, navigators familiarize patients with the birthing environment, discuss the labor and delivery experience, identify potential triggers, and develop personalized strategies to promote emotional safety and confidence during birth. Patients are not required to disclose a history of trauma to receive these services. 

Serving on a PRN basis, Clinical Navigators are current or former Labor & Delivery nurses who help bridge communication between patients and the healthcare team, ensuring each patient's preferences and support needs are integrated into their plan of care. This nurse-driven role is a key component of the Empower Program's commitment to delivering compassionate, trauma-informed perinatal care. 

Empower Program: Perinatal Trauma-Informed Care - Serves as part of a unique, nurse-driven program providing trauma-informed care across all nine birthing hospitals within the health system. The program offers education and training for caregivers, patient consultations, and specialized support for individuals experiencing perinatal trauma. Empower promotes consistent, evidence-based, compassionate care for patients and families while equipping healthcare teams with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to trauma. This innovative program is one of the first of its kind and is unmatched in its scope and integration across a regional birthing hospital network. 

A caregiver in this position works days|PRN| 8:00am–5:00pm. 

A caregiver who excels in this role will:  

• Facilitate communication among nursing caregivers, physicians and all members of the multi-disciplinary team.  

• Assist patients in accessing necessary treatment and services and provide support after discharge. 

• Review surgical, diagnostic and interventional procedures and provide an overview of expectations for outcomes. 

• Prepare families for a realistic initial visit post procedure. 

• Review appropriate rehabilitation programs.  

• Conduct rounds on designated patients daily and determine status based on nursing expertise and assessment. 

• Solicit patient concerns, demonstrate responsiveness and respect, and communicate the plan of care to patients and families as appropriate. 

• Assist patients and families with financial and administrative issues (e.g. FMLA paperwork, advanced directives, Medicaid, Social Security, etc.) by referring to appropriate resources. 

• Follow-up on phone calls as indicated upon discharge. 

• Collaborate with support services (Global Patient Services, Medical Concierge, Pastoral Care, Care Management, Healing Services, Mended Hearts) to coordinate care and maintain communication. 

• Facilitate transfers as needed. 

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:  

• Graduate from an approved School of Nursing 

• Current state licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) 

• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) or the American Red Cross 

• 3 years of experience with emphasis on specialty (i.e. digestive disease, cardiovascular, etc.) 

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include: 

• Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN)