Case Manager - Transition in Care

At Houston Methodist, the Case Manager (CM) position is a registered nurse (RN) responsible for comprehensively assessing clinical condition and planning for case management, which includes care transitions and discharge planning of a targeted patient population on a designated unit(s) and/or service lines. This position works with the physicians and multidisciplinary healthcare team to facilitate clinical care coordination and maintain compassionate, efficient, quality and safe patient care and achievement of desired treatment outcomes. The CM position holds joint accountability with the social worker for discharge planning, coordination of care, and throughput, assuring that admission and continued stay are medically necessary. This position communicates clinical information to payors and post-acute care providers to ensure safe transition and continuity of care.

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.

• Bachelor's degree preferred

EXPERIENCE

• Three years hospital nursing clinical experience

• Acute care case management experience preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure - Texas Board of Nursing_PSV Compact Licensure - Must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days (if establishing Texas residency)

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid and Managed Care requirements

• Progressive knowledge of community resources, healthcare financial and payor requirements/issues, and eligibility for state, local and federal programs

• Progressive knowledge of discharge planning, utilization management, case management, performance improvement and managed care reimbursement

• Understanding of pre-acute and post-acute venues of care and post-acute community resources

• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in interactions with physicians, payors, and patients and their families

• Well versed in computer skills of the entire Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word)

• Strong assessment, organizational and problem-solving skills

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Communicates in an active, positive and effective manner to all healthcare team members and reports pertinent clinical patient care and family data in a comprehensive and unbiased manner; listens and responds to the ideas of others. Supports patients and families in preventing/resolving clinical or ethical issues.

• Collaborates with staff from the multidisciplinary care team concerning the discharge plan to improve outcomes and the safe transition of care. Uses a structured format for regular communication with patients and families.

• Communicates effectively with physicians, multidisciplinary care team, patients, and families to ensure safe and timely transitions of care.

• Contributes towards improvement of employee engagement as reflected by department scores, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assesses all patients timely, per policy, and thoroughly. Reviews chart for medical necessity and facilitation of throughput and appropriate utilization of inpatient resources and services, etc. Initiates and facilitates referrals and transfers for home health care, hospice, durable medical equipment, and other post-acute services.

• Participates and is prepared to present barriers to efficient patient throughput in daily multi-disciplinary rounds (MDRs). Escalates appropriate discharge barriers to leadership and/or physician advisor.

• Facilitates discharge planning activities for assigned patients and collaborates with other members of the multidisciplinary care team, as well as patient and family, on clinically complex care transitions and discharges. Maintains ownership of the discharge planning process on assigned units.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Modifies care based on continuous evaluation of the patient's medical condition and progression. Demonstrates clinical problem-solving and critical thinking within the scope of practice and makes decisions using an evidence-based analytical approach. Documents accurate assessment and interventions efficiently and effectively.

• Educates patient and family appropriately on disease process that impacts their health and readmission. Connects patient and family with resources related to their disease process.

• Proactively plans for routine discharge, elevates emergent situations, and escalates unresolved barriers. Manages usual patient assignment and other unit demands, anticipating/planning for potential problems.

• Focuses on discharge domain by contributing to department and hospital targets for quality, patient satisfaction and safety measures.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Focuses on reducing length of stay for all levels of care, (inpatient, observation and outpatient in a bed) and avoidable days by ensuring efficient and timely use of resources in discharge planning and transitions. Reviews medical records for medical necessity for continued stay, facilitate timely discharge to reduce discharge delays.

• Applies knowledge of payor requirements and coverage to facilitate cost-effective discharges. Contributes to meeting department and hospital financial targets. Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Identifies areas for process improvement based on understanding of evidence-based practice literature. Participates in evidence-based practice/performance improvement projects based on these observations and offers solutions.

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No

• Scrubs: No

• Business professional: Yes

• Other (department approved): No

ON-CALL *

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL **

Travel specifications may vary by department

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes

• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.

• Bachelor's degree preferred

EXPERIENCE

• Three years hospital nursing clinical experience

• Acute care case management experience preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure - Texas Board of Nursing_PSV Compact Licensure - Must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days (if establishing Texas residency)

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist is one of the nation's leading health systems and academic medical centers. The health system consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the Texas Medical Center, seven community hospitals and one long-term acute care hospital throughout the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Houston Methodist also includes a research institute; a comprehensive residency program; international patient services; freestanding comprehensive care clinics, emergency care and imaging centers; and outpatient facilities. Come lead with us!

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.