Registered Nurse - Patient Placement Specialist - Nursing Support

Nurse

McLaren Bay Region

Department: Nursing Support

Daily Work Times: 7:00pm - 7:30am

Shift: Nights

Scheduled Bi-Weekly Hours: 48

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Manager, provides utilization review and evaluation of Emergency admissions and direct admits to assist in appropriate classification of OBV versus in-patient status. Also, responsible for overseeing the daily activities of Patient Placement Services while performing patient placement functions as necessary according to applicable departmental and hospital policies and procedures.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Utilizes inpatient admission criteria to assign only diagnoses that meet acute care criteria. In the advent diagnosis does not meet admission criteria, communicates with the appropriate staff regarding site of service.
2. Acts as a resource for physicians (by phone) regarding appropriate admission status.
3. Supports the utilization function by performing efficient methods of work processing and workflow.
4. Receives complete bed requests and communicates with Patient Placement staff in a timely fashion to plan, prioritize and coordinate the admission and transfer of patient.
5. Understands and follows the Clinical Guidelines for Patient Placement as directed by the Manager.
6. Contacts physicians, physician offices, other healthcare agencies and other departments to obtain complete scheduling information as necessary.
7. Compares available beds with surgery and special studies schedules.
8. Consults with the Administrative Nursing Supervisor on a regular and timely basis concerning staff resources and matters that require immediate attention beyond scope of responsibility, including but not limited to requests for direct admits with no immediate availability of bed, or immediate ability to place.
9. Accurately assigns appropriate room/bed assignments, admits, discharges and transfers patients within computer systems. Communicates with all involved parties on a timely basis and in a professional manner.
10. Assists Manager in identifying and resolving problems related to patient placement, registration and flow.
11. Assists Manager in establishing standards of performance and effective processes to promote quality service.
12. Acts as liaison between the department and other departments or entities for process development and improvement activities as directed.
13. Assists in orientation of new employees to the work area.
14. Maintains records, files, reports, and other documentation related to the work.
15. Explains procedures that pertain to scheduling to employees as needed.
16. Performs other related responsibilities as necessary.

Position Specific Expectations:

1. Responsible to facilitate daily bed control meeting.
2. Safeguards and maintains confidentiality of all patient, medical staff and employee information.
3. Assigns patients to clinically appropriate beds. When appropriate bed is not available then arranges for the best alternative for the patient.
4. Communicates with appropriate management staff to apprise him/her of the current bed status, identifying potential problems.
5. Assigns all beds, including in-house transfers, ED admissions, transfers from other hospitals, and transfers other clinical facilities.
6. Demonstrates knowledge of hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
7. Demonstrates the ability to accurately collect and record patient information in compliance with departmental productivity guidelines.
8. Enters data timely, accurately and in accordance with departmental productivity guidelines.
9. Responds to phone calls and requests for information in an accurate and efficient manner.
10. Demonstrates knowledge of computer systems and software utilized to complete work.
11. Demonstrates active participation in problem solving and planning.
12. Demonstrates a level of knowledge of medical terminology.
13. Enhances individual and unit professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, in-service meetings, workshops, and by reading current literature concerning scope of practice.

Required:

• Associate Degree in Nursing.
• Licensed by the State of Michigan as a Registered Nurse.
• Three years' experience as licensed registered nurse in an acute care setting or physician office.
• Professional demeanor and ability to maintain composure in stressful situations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates proficiency in Microsoft applications with the ability to type 40 wpm.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.
• Two years' experience in hospital utilization review.
• Minimum of one-year experience as charge nurse or leadership role.
• Demonstrated competency in patient placement software.