Transfer Center Spec RN

Reports to the Director. Facilitates transfer of patients by appropriately allocating resources with pre-defined protocols and systems entering via the Transfer Center. This includes internal and external patients transferring within a Beacon Hospital or to/from another facility. Responds appropriately to requests made by transferring physicians, hospitals and peers. Utilizes all critical resources within the organization to expedite patient placement giving high priority to customer service and customer satisfaction. Ensures paperwork and computer entry is accurate and continuously enhances knowledge regarding processes. Effectively communicates with all departments, physician offices, and outlying facilities to ensure appropriate placement of patients in a timely manner. Participates in personal and professional growth, development and continuous improvement in all critical success factors of people, service, quality, financial and growth.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Functions as the Administrative Resource to Staff by:

• Functioning as an information resource to staff regarding policies, procedures and practices.
• Facilitating independent problem solving and decision making when working with staff in complex and/or unusual situations to ensure appropriate transfers for patients.
• Providing direction and assisting with defining solutions that ensure appropriate patient placement and outcomes.
• Providing appropriate information, communication and documentation to the Administrator on call, Managers and other staff, regarding situations and/or outcomes requiring follow-up and/or further intervention.
• Recommending changes and/or enhancements to the appropriate Director/Manager.
• Facilitating patient placement in conjunction with the appropriate departments.
• Monitors and makes decisions in regards to the appropriate placement/transfer of patients.
• When notified, ensuring all nursing care and other activities are properly documented such as: incident reports, infection reports, work injury reports, patient codes, etc.
• Participating actively on committees and in in-services and attending other meetings as requested.
• Supervises Transfer Center staff during shift.

Supervises and Plans All Patient Admissions and Transfers into and within Facility by:

• Demonstrates a working knowledge of all processes specific to bed control activities.
• Places all patients according to approved policy and procedures.
• Utilizes effective assessment skills including review of applicable reports to plan and determine bed assignments and admission disposition for all admissions, including Emergency Room admits, direct admits, and procedural admissions (including add-ons).
• Utilizes effective critical thinking and analytical skills to process transfers from other facilities.
• Works with House/Patient Flow Supervisor to be aware of pending and confirmed discharges on each unit.
• Identifies different level of care (i.e., telemetry, critical care and med surg) bed availability to accommodate admissions and transfers.
• Make level of care (LOC) recommendations for emergency room patient admissions using the Xsolis platform.''''
• Serve as a problem solver for barriers impeding patient flow and attempt to mitigate these issues.''
• Maintain a system-wide understanding of capacity and continuous level load.
• Collaborates with admitting physicians and/or their office staff on all direct admissions.
• Coordinates all transfers from other facilities, including coordination with admitting physicians and appropriate level of care.
• Collaborates with Infection Control when necessary regarding placement of patients.
• Knowledge of all procedures and communicates effectively with applicable staff on units for bed assignment.
• Communicates effectively with registration/admitting staff for accurate admissions.
• Receives telephone calls in a courteous and professional manner. Communicates information specific to the placement of patients, beds assignments and other related information.
• Updates the next shift of activities, concerns, and/or potential problems.
• Exercises effective judgment in day to day activities. Prioritizes tasks to meet predetermined deadlines and schedules. Attempts to resolve problems independently and in conjunction with the House/Patient Flow Supervisor.
• Collaborates and supervises transport service workflows to ensure efficient patient flow.
• Performs other duties as required and/or requested based on the needs of the patient, department and organization.

Utilizes Assigned Computer Programs to Perform Job Duties by:

• Demonstrates proficiency in utilization of relevant technologies including Cerner, Teletracking and Active Staffer.
• Accurately enters all admissions and changes in Teletracking according to approved standard procedures.
• Maintains information in Teletracking in an up to date manner.
• Demonstrates working knowledge of admitting functions in Teletracking and Cerner to ensure accurate data for billing.
• Demonstrates working knowledge of patient placement technology and utilizes these technologies to make appropriate patient placements.

Assists with Training of Associates and Supports the Management Team by:

• Assists in orienting new staff to patient placement policies and procedures.

Performs other Functions to Maintain Personal Competence and Contribute to the Overall Effectiveness of the Department by:

• Expanding one''s knowledge of Beacon Health System on an ongoing basis.
• Attending in-services and department meetings; also participating in continuing education and attending conferences as approved.
• Reading current literature relevant to position.
• Ensuring excellent customer service is provided by all associates.
• Throughout the shift and at the end of shift, advising other associates about any pending or high priority situations, etc., as necessary.
• Utilize critical thinking skills and active listening skills to troubleshoot arising issues.
• Participating in Kaizen events and workouts to improve patient flow processes.
• Completing other job-related duties and projects as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Commitment to Beacon''s six-point Operating System, referred to as The Beacon Way:

• Leverage innovation everywhere.
• Cultivate human talent.
• Embrace performance improvement.
• Build greatness through accountability.
• Use information to improve and advance.
• Communicate clearly and continuously.

Education and Experience

The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion of an Associate''s Degree in Nursing (a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is preferred). A current RN license in Indiana, five to seven years of progressively more responsible job-related experience is required.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of nursing care practices, policies, procedures and techniques in order to function as a resource and to appropriately place patients.
• Demonstrates analytical and computer skills necessary to prioritize a large volume of information, relay information to the appropriate people and make independent judgments and decisions involving complex patient care, staff, physicians and/or family/visitor situations.
• Demonstrates well-developed interpersonal skills necessary to represent Beacon Health System in a professional manner and effectively interact with customers.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; also must be able to articulate ideas clearly and concisely, sometimes under stressful conditions, with people from a variety of backgrounds.
• Demonstrates leadership skills necessary to coordinate patient placement in an effective, efficient manner.
• Must be able to adjust through a rapidly changing environment.

Working Conditions

• The ability to work varying shifts and work schedules (such as weekends and holidays) is required.
• Requires an understanding of the need to be responsive and reasonably adaptable due to extenuating circumstances in support of associates and department functions.
• Works with staff, patients, physicians, family members and others with frequent changes in job demands.

Physical Demands

• Requires the physical ability and stamina to perform the essential functions of the position.