Quality, Employee Hlth, Discharge/UR Coordinator - FT (Days)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS    
1.    Applies Nursing process in the direct delivery of quality patient care. This includes:
•    Completion of nursing assessment by collecting and reviewing data
•    Formulation of nursing diagnosis
•    Formulation and implementation of a plan of care to deliver individualized patient care
•    Evaluation of the effectiveness of care and revision of plan to achieve patient’s optimal level of functioning
•    Coordinates patient care and reports patient changes to appropriate team members.  
•    Ensures that progress of patient is communicated to staff, physicians, other departments and family.

2.   Performs clinical skills for the direct delivery of patient care. This includes:
•    Administration of medications and treatments in accordance with nursing standards
•    Instruction of patient and family regarding disease process, medications, treatments and community resources to promote continuity of care and to increase self-care skills
•    Completion of documentation as defined in nursing standards.
•    Functions with an awareness and application of safety issues as identified within the facility. Provides safe environment for the patient and is aware of safety issues for self, co-workers, patients, and visitors.

3.   Participates in improvement activities to promote quality care. This includes:
•    Participating in quality improvement data collection, reporting, analysis, communication, and/or improvement teams as assigned to improve patient outcomes
•    Assists with the development and implementation of Quality Improvement indicators and benchmarking.
•    Facilitates Quality.
•    Daily rounding and case management to assure quality indicators in place.
•    Participating in scheduled staff meetings for the purpose of communicating hospital wide quality measures and initiatives, Case management/UR updates, and other pertinent information related to the expertise of the role.  
•    Assuming self-responsibility for obtaining training/education as necessary, assuring that skill level meets the demands for areas of responsibility.
•    Responsible for implementation and communication of evidence-based standards of practice and “best practices.”
•    Develop communication tools to disseminate and update leadership and staff of quality activities, related policies and procedures, and regulatory updates.
•    Performing ancillary skills for indirect patient care appropriate for department.

4.  Accountable for leading discharge planning.
•    Completes initial psychosocial assessments and provides direct social work services to individuals and their support systems based on referral and complexity of need.
•    Evaluates patient needs by interviewing patients, families and/or significant others to obtain information that will engage the process of appropriate discharge planning necessary for each patient. Makes daily rounds to all patients and updates white boards.
•    Consults with nursing staff, providers and other disciplines involved in the patient’s care in a cooperative effort to provide optimal services. 
•    Leads multi-disciplinary patient care/discharge planning conferences for swing/skilled, acute care and observation patients.
•    Completes required documentation of Social Service activities performed. 
•    Maintains current knowledge in relation to state and federal regulations impacting level of care, discharge planning, and health care coverage.
•    Works with insurance providers to ensure patient’s health care coverage is utilized for hospitalizations as applicable.
•    Completes performance improvement and productivity measures as assigned or identified; i.e. social activity trends, referrals, length of stay measures.
•    Collaborates with outside resources for social services needs and other referrals.

5.  Responsible to complete or delegate activities for patients.
•    Assesses swing patient’s interests and abilities to perform activities and identifies areas where assistance may be required which will meet the individual’s interest, physical, mental, and psychosocial well being.
•    Develops monthly individual activities designed to meet patient interests, needs, and abilities and maintains a monthly calendar showing all group activities.
•    Evaluates social activity program at least annually and makes changes according to the program’s effectiveness and reports to nursing leadership.
•    Manages social activity program in a fiscally responsible manner and assists with activity budget development.
•    Educates CNAs and RNs on activity opportunities available and encourages their involvement and documentation.

6.   Responsible for Utilization Review functions.
•    Makes weekday reviews on lengths of stay and criteria for meeting level of care. 
•    Provides notification to providers, nursing leadership and Chief Clinical Officer of variances or concerns.
•    Tracks and reports trends and appropriateness of level of care, level of service, and appropriateness of admissions for Utilization Review.
•    Assists with record preparation for UR 
•    Acts as hospital liaison in coordinating hospital transfers and referrals.
•    Completes and/or coordinates insurance pre-certification calls.
7.   Facilitates Peer Review Committee.
•    Collects data and reports acute length of stay.
•    Responsible for inpatient internal peer review process, by auditing charts, preparing Peer Review packet and distributing them ahead of time to the physicians and then presenting the results at the Peer Review meeting.
•    Maintains relationship with institutions and agencies to facilitate referrals.

8.   Employee Health
•    Oversees Employee Health functions to meet CDC and IDPH guidelines.
•    Tracks all employee illnesses through electronic reporting system.  Leads the analysis and trend reporting for the quality pillar.
•    Assists with Employee Health tests, exams and record-keeping for employees.
•    Assists with policy updates and revisions.
•    Assists with employee and community wellness programs

 9.   Leads Support Groups and community education programs as delegated. 
     
10.   Schedule and hours of work require flexibility per the patient care needs and staffing needs.

In addition to the functions described above, this role may include other responsibilities and duties as assigned on occasion, based upon Dallas County Hospital needs or requirements.
Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
     Education/Experience:
Graduate of an approved registered nursing program. Three years of nursing experience  
and BSN preferred. Must have a current RN license. Experience in monitoring and continuing education in nursing in either quality, patient safety or utilization review. Must be willing to complete training in areas of quality, utilization review, and regulatory standards.
      
     Technical Skills:
Ability to operate essential equipment and perform essential procedures in nursing department. Demonstrates knowledge, abilities and skills required to perform a wide variety of nursing functions. Mathematical ability necessary to compute drug dosages accurately. Annual completion of unit specific competencies. Experience in presentation development, education, and training.

     Other Qualifications/Certificate/License:
RN licensure from the State of Iowa, BCLS, Completion of Dependent Adult/Child Abuse, ACLS, NRP and Trauma or willing to obtain this training. 
Able to read and analyze complex information. Able to track and work within a program budget. Time management skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  Ability to communicate with physician, clinical and non-clinical providers in addition to patients and families.

      PC Competencies:
The incumbent must demonstrate an understanding and working knowledge of the Windows environment as well as ability to access and use information in meaningful ways.  The incumbent must have the ability to access, manipulate, organize, and relay information in meaningful ways using email, word processing, excel, and power point. CPSI knowledge and resource.  A working knowledge of the Internet is preferred.

     Behavioral Competencies: 
Support Dallas County Hospital’s vision and mission; maintain confidentiality of all work
information; Demonstrates an ability to function successfully in a team environment; exhibit
courteous, compassionate, and respectful treatment of internal and external customers; display a positive attitude and flexibility in changing situations; participate in identifying problems and suggesting solutions.  Understands and adheres to the Dallas County Hospital compliance policy.

     Decision Making Latitude: 
Freedom to determine how to best accomplish functions within established procedures and protocols and confers with the nursing leadership on unusual situations or problems.

 https://www.dallascohospital.org/careers/job-application