Patient Care Coordinator

Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position is responsible for delivering exceptional nursing care to patients by utilizing strong organizational and leadership skills to assess patient status, implement clinical nursing interventions to modify symptoms, and develop and implement patient care plans to enhance and improve outcomes and ensure a safe and therapeutic environment. This position may be required to access and administer medications within their scope of practice and according to State Law.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

Please note: This is not a hands-on clinical role. This position centers on care coordination and patient education.

Clinic Days

On clinic days, the RN works directly with the provider and care team to support patients during their clinic visits. Responsibilities may include:

• Collaborating with the provider during patient appointments
• Assessing patient responses to treatments and adjusting the plan of care in alignment with goals of care
• Coordinating follow-up appointments, lab monitoring, infusions and other medications, and ongoing care needs
• Managing remote patient care tasks (phone calls, MyChart messages, etc.) as needed throughout the day

Non-Clinic Days

On non-clinic days, the RN focuses on remote patient management and care coordination. Responsibilities may include:

• Conducting phone triage to assess patient concerns and determine appropriate next steps
• Responding to patient messages and providing education, guidance, and follow-up
• Evaluating patient response remotely and modifying the plan of care to support goals of care
• Coordinating lab rechecks and monitoring results

Participating in quality improvement initiatives to improve patient care, clinic processes, and job satisfaction

• Identifies, assesses and diagnoses problems through patient assessment and interactions; and evaluates actual or potential patient health problems.
• Assesses, plans and implements interventions for solving patient care problems.
• Formulates care plans for specific patients and documents the nursing process in patient's record.
• Evaluates patient response to interventions and modifies plan of care as needed to achieve health care goals.
• Develops and participates in educating patients, their families, or significant others about post discharge care programs.
• Initiates patient care meetings with the health care team to revise the plan of care as the patient's condition warrants.
• Maintains a safe and therapeutic patient care environment.
• Provides guidance and direction to members of the health care team to ensure quality patient care.
• Keeps current on advances in nursing care by participating in educational programs.
• Orients and educates new staff in nursing techniques and departmental procedures.
• Provides and oversees direct patient care in accordance with established nursing protocol and physicians' orders.
• Utilizes knowledge of medications, procedures, infection control, and safety precaution; and initiates appropriate interventions in crisis situations.
• Participates in total quality management to positively affect patient and system outcomes to improve care.
• At the discretion of department operational and patient care needs, this position is required to work rotating schedules, which may include variable hours, weekends, nights, and holidays to meet the staffing and patient care demands of a 24/7 complex health system. Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance during assigned shifts is considered an essential function of the role.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above.
• Ability to provide care appropriate to the population served.
• Excellent human relations and effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated availability to work variable and rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, in a 24/7 patient care environment.

Qualifications

Qualifications
Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Utah, or obtain one within 90 days of hire under the interstate compact if switching residency to State of Utah. Must maintain current Interstate Compact (multi-state) license if residency is not being changed to Utah.

• Bachelor's Degree in Health Care Administration, Health Science or related field or equivalency.
• One year of related nursing experience.

Preferred

• Leadership experience.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Preferred

• Some departments may require additional certifications such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), or Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) within one year of hire.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intensive work that may exert up to 100 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or otherwise moving objects, such as medical equipment, or patients while providing medical care. Workers in this position may be exposed to infectious diseases and may be required to function around prisoners and behavioral health patients.

Physical Requirements

Carrying, Climbing, Color Determination, Crawling, Far Vision, Lifting, Listening, Manual Dexterity, Near Vision, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Stooping and Crouching, Tasting or Smelling, Walking