Patient Care Coordinator Care Navigation Services

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 provides clinical expertise and coordination of care and services aimed at enhancing patient-centered care and maximizing outcomes across the patient care continuum from pre-admission through discharge, including monitoring patient care to ensure progress towards desired outcomes, addressing patient and family needs, resolving obstacles to effective care and together with the interdisciplinary team, planning for patient discharge. 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

Essential Functions

• Assesses, communicates and addresses patient and family care needs throughout the patient''s stay.
• Acts as the key coordinator and contact for the patient care plan.
• Acts as clinical resource and support for bedside staff to address complex patient needs and assist with complex procedures.
• Collaborates with other Care Coordinators and Charge Nurses to identify burden of care and assign core team members.
• Participates in medical rounds at least two mornings a week.
• Attends patient evaluation conferences twice weekly, brings updates on patient progress, barriers to discharge and other concerns.
• Attends and participates in team program meetings.
• Updates and monitors nursing orders as needed based on care plan changes.
• Attends discharge briefing to give and receive updates on barriers to discharge and discharge needs.
• May follow up with patients within one week of discharge by performing post discharge follow up phone calls.
• 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

Required

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

Licenses 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.
• Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Required Experience:

• Current certificate as a Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) through the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB)
• Minimum of 2 years of Nursing Wound care experience.
• Bachelors of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN)

Preferred Experience:

• Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) through the wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB)
• Masters of Science in Nursing Degree (MSN)

Additional Notes: The RN Complex Wound Care Navigator provides centralized, remote nursing care coordination for patients with complex wound care needs across University of Utah Health ambulatory settings, post emergency room discharge and during transitions of care across settings. Working within Care Navigation Nursing Services, this role serves as a consistent clinical connection for patients whose wound management may involve multiple specialties, providers, departments, and levels of care. The RN Care Navigator assesses patient needs, supports clinical triage and education, facilitates timely follow-up after hospitalization or changes in condition, coordinates specialty referrals and appointments, and helps identify and resolve barriers that may delay treatment or healing. In close collaboration with the wound and ostomy care, primary care, and multiple sub-specialty and surgical teams, the nurse navigator promotes continuity of care, closes gaps between services, and in close collaboration with providers helps ensure patients receive the right wound care from the right clinical team at the right time.

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 may be exposed to infectious diseases and may be required to function around prisoners or 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