RN-Patient Placement Coordinator

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Job Role Summary

The Patient Placement Coordinator works collaboratively with nursing colleagues to place patients in beds. The Patient Placement Coordinator must have the ability to effectively problem solve, apply critical thinking skills, and utilize excellent communication skills while working under pressure. This position coordinates optimal patient placement strategies to avoid diversion and achieve throughput goals.

The Patient Placement Coordinator models Eskenazi Health’s mission: Advocate, Care, Teach and Serve with special emphasis on the vulnerable population of Marion County; and models Eskenazi Health’s PRIDE values of Professionalism, Respect, Innovation, Development, and Excellence.
 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

•    Leads daily Bed Huddles and communicates strategies for effective patient movement to achieve desired throughput; communication is clear, precise and thoughtful.
•    Maintains a positive working relationship and demonstrates excellent customer service skills in all interactions with both internal and external customers; encourages and supports a spirit of team between work units through interactions at bed huddles and routine patient placement activities
•    Collaborates with medical staff, nursing staff, ancillary and support services to facilitate patient throughput
•    Supports all departments providing centralized prioritization of placement of patients.
•    Facilitates efficient patient throughput, which includes appropriate bed assignment based on diagnosis, acuity, and staffing requirements in collaboration with shift coordinators and area management
•    Collaborates with nurses, leadership, physicians, and medical management for downgrade and discharge orders
•    Monitors and projects bed availability based on known and expected discharges and transfers
•    Ensures patients are placed appropriately following Infection Control standards 
•    Collaborates with shift coordinators, area management, and the central staffing office to adjust staffing to open additional beds and to ensure adequate staffing for census and acuity
•    Collaborates with transportation services and EVS to ensure efficient turnover of beds
•    Retains responsibility for all hospital admissions/transfers during shift
•    Participates in diversion avoidance plan and discussions
•    Serves as a contact person on the response team in the Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Plan for purposes of bed assignment; understands and applies crises management and critical incident skills as applicable
•    Oversees, coordinates and implements preventive maintenance plan to ensure 100% compliance for all patient care areas
•    Assists the House Supervisor in maintaining daily house report 
•    Participates actively in hospital committees, shared governance, task forces or projects as agreed upon with the Director
•    Promotes a healthy work environment by presenting self as an open, accessible leader who seeks to understand first and then helps achieve a win-win solution
 

Job Requirements

•    Registered Nurse, BSN preferred
•    Seven years of professional, acute, inpatient, critical care or emergency department experience required
•    Charge nurse or shift coordinator experience preferred.  If ASN, will earn BSN within 5 years of start date.
•    Indiana nursing license required
•    Progressive leadership experience preferred
 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

•    Demonstrates advanced skills in clinical procedures and use of equipment and instruments relevant to nursing units
•    Possess strong problem-solving skills
•    Demonstrates excellent verbal/negotiating skills and ability to handle conflict and reach a collaborative consensus
•    Knowledge of disease processes and related treatment/care, the use and side effects of drugs/medications, department, hospital policies, procedures and protocol, relevant state regulations, state practice acts, community referral resources
•    Knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served; must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data and interpret appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to age-specific needs; ability to use age-appropriate communication and cognitive skills detailed in the department/area/unit job specific/age specific competencies
•    Ability to identify patient requirements relative to treatment and care, or an understanding of disease processes
•    Ability to work independently and cooperatively with multiple disciplines; demonstrates flexibility to changing situations and priorities; works effectively under stress/pressure and in crisis situations, establishing care priorities, displaying empathy and use of sound judgment
•    Demonstrates the ability to keep self and others calm during times of high stress
•    Understands and is knowledgeable of nursing practices and standards for nursing units; knowledgeable of the Indiana nurse practice act and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics