RN, Patient Placement Coordinator - Part Time

At Memorial Hermann, we pursue a common goal of delivering high quality, efficient care while creating exceptional experiences for every member of our community. When we say every member of our community, that includes our employees. We know that when our employees feel cared for, heard and valued, they are inspired to create moments that exceed expectations, while prioritizing safety, compassion, personalization and efficiency. If you want to advance your career and contribute to our vision of creating healthier communities, now and for generations to come, we want you to be a part of our team.

Job Summary

RN/3 YRS ED/ICU EXPERIENCE, WK HRS: 10A-6P, Knowledge of hospital operations, bed placement, admissions.

The Patient Flow Center is intended to improve the quality and safety of care, reduce the need for out of area placements, and optimize the use of resources. The Patient Flow Center RN Coordinator assists with placement of patients in the acute care setting in accordance with established guidelines to the appropriate facility and service line. This role typically reports to the Manager, Patient Flow Center.

Job Description

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:  Graduate of an accredited School of Professional Nursing; Minimum Associates Degree of Nursing required; Bachelors of Nursing preferred

Licenses/Certifications: 

• Current State of Texas license or temporary/compact license to practice professional nursing required
• Additional certifications may be required based on discipline and/or nursing unit requirements

Experience / Knowledge / Skills:

• Three (3) years of acute care hospital RN experience within the last 5 years (i.e. emergency department, critical care, intermediate, or medical/surgical units)
• Preferred experience in an admission/bed placement center.
• Previous OA/house supervisor experience desirable
• Ability to type on computer
• Familiarity with computer software, electronic health records
• Demonstrated excellent critical thinking with strong clinical nursing assessment skills.
• Effective communication (oral/written) skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities of equal importance in a fast pace environment.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly adjust to change.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Uses critical thinking and clinical judgement skills in directing patients to the most appropriate level of care and unit assignment while ensuring accurate and complete communication with all areas across the system.
• Organizes placement process to meet patient load influx and minimizes bed assignment delays.
• Acts as a clinical resource to non clinical team members within the Patient Flow Center.
  • Utilizes clinical knowledge of current census information and potential inpatient bed needs to project accurate and appropriate placement of incoming patients.
  • Conducts admission reviews related to level of care changes, to assure patient is placed in the appropriate bed based on physician order and level of care required.
  • Applies professional nursing skills in applying the four aspects of the nursing process (assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation) when indicated to evaluate needs of incoming patient based on level of care, availability of beds, physician order, and unit capability.
  • Uses critical thinking skills and knowledge of disease processes to intervene and/or guide non clinical personnel when there is a known or unknown confounding factor which would negatively impact the patient and/or patient flow.
• Manages all patient placement and progression functions in a responsive manner responding to all callers with the aid of the electronic health record, approved clinical protocols, and established patient care protocols and healthcare information.
• Works with all Memorial Hermann hospital teams and key stakeholders on facilitating efficient, timely placement of patients across the system.
  • Facilitate the coordination of patient placement with physicians, staff RNs, and other departments while meeting state and federal regulations (COBRA/EMTALA); plan of care to optimize patient outcomes and decrease length of stay in an unbiased, standardized manner
• Uses available tracking systems to maintain ongoing surveillance of available staffed beds. Monitors progress with bed assignments and arrivals of patients to assigned units; monitors for timeliness of transfers and discharges.
• Incorporates knowledge of hospital and unit admission criteria, unit specialties, limitations, and patient need when determining proper patient placement.
• Conducts or participates in daily bed meetings where appropriate.
• Alerts department leadership of delays with patient flow for individual patients and departments experiencing delays.
• Ensures safe care to patients, staff and visitors; adheres to all Memorial Hermann policies, procedures, and standards within budgetary specifications including time management, supply management, productivity and quality of service.
• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education and skills competency; supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization; serves as preceptor, mentor and resource to less experienced staff.
• Demonstrates commitment to caring for every member of our community by creating compassionate and personalized experiences. Models Memorial Hermann’s service standards of providing safe, caring, personalized and efficient experiences to patients and our workforce.
• Other duties as assigned.