Find Jobs

Scope of Position: The Capacity Management Specialist supports the Nurse Manager with departmental operations of the Patient Flow Management Center. The Capacity Management Specialist interacts with the department staff, medical personnel and other team members to achieve optimal patient throughput. The Capacity Management Specialist supports department efforts in managing Admissions, Transfers, and Discharges (ADT) for internal and external customers.

Position Summary: The Capacity Management Specialist contributes to the ongoing operations of the department and collaborates with other patient care departments/areas that impact ADT performance.

Receives transfer requests from referring facilities and coordinates patient transfer to our facility using excellent customer service skills with all callers. Facilitates all communication between referring and receiving hospitals/physicians in a professional and effective manner. Enters information into the database, as it occurs, for creation of real time data with a high degree of accuracy. Documents all required information pertaining to the patient transfer process accurately and thoroughly.

Applies approved clinical criteria to evaluate appropriateness of transfer and level of care.

Maintains knowledge base of processes and systems by attending meetings and reviewing training materials and identifies, addresses, and works to resolve system problems impacting transfers. Escalates issues as appropriate to management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Arranges and coordinates all urgent and emergent inpatient admission and transfers.
• Receives and processes all patient transfer related requests from referring and accepting providers. Documents all required information in electronic systems.
• Communicates and collaborates with Patient Placement staff in triage, prioritization and all bed assignment activities associated with accurate patient transfer timing and placement needs.
• Obtains and documents relevant clinical data to individually assess the needs of each patient to ensure proper patient placement and primary care requirements.

• Evaluates patient throughput efficiencies and the impact to all ADT activity.
• Serves as a role model, motivates/mentors staff, and demonstrates flexibility and impartiality when dealing with others.
• Assists in interviewing, selecting, orienting, and mentoring staff.
• Assists in the socialization of new staff members into the unit/hospital environment.

• Assists in the professional development opportunities of the staff.
• Effectively communicates with patients, visitors, staff, physicians, peers and other Medical Center personnel.
• Demonstrates effective communication, problem solving, negotiating, and conflict resolution skills
• Promotes teamwork.

Quality

• Conducts daily evaluation of pending transfers with referring facility to update patient care needs and assure proper bed placement and resource availability.
• Facilitates and monitors performance indicators located on the ADT Scorecard
• Adheres to all protocols providing follow-up to referring facilities and providers.
• Actively participates to discuss, problem-solve, and develop mitigation strategies related to improvement of patient flow.
• Monitors hospital occupancy and notifies the ANS, Manager and Director of impending diversion conditions.
• Oversees the facilitation of transfers from other healthcare organizations with appropriate demographic and financial data. Obtains required transfer approvals utilizing established policies and practices.
• Facilitates and assists in monitoring adherence to regulatory compliance standards (JCAHO, FDA, FACT, ODH etc.)
• Identifies opportunities for improvement in organizational processes.
• Serves as a resource to the staff related to clinical decision making with bed placement, QI issues, standards, etc.
• Actively participates in the development and maintenances of 24/7 daily systems to maximize patient flow and optimize bed capacity.
• Manages and coordinates centralized communications between referring and accepting provider services.

Productivity and Efficiency / Financial Performance

• Supports and assists in the development of relevant mitigation strategies, in collaboration with Medical Director, to maximize safe patient intake and patient care resource needs.
• Develops and promotes long-term relationships with referring facilities and providers.
  
• Actively engages in the daily implementation of strategic goals as they relate to capacity, patient flow and department development. Interprets and supports policies, procedures and safety standards to facilitate daily operations.
• Provides input into development of unit budget plans. Assists in planning and/or initiating cost saving initiatives.
• Facilitates effective use of time, materials, and financial resources.
• Identifies creative cost saving initiatives while maintaining or improving quality of service.

Service and Reputation / Strategic Growth

• Makes recommendations and assists with the development of throughput expanded services.
• Supports onboarding of new technology and facility expansion
• Develops and evaluates goals and objectives for self and unit consistent with the goals of the institution.
• Recognizes improvement opportunities related to physician and customer satisfaction.
• Assumes responsibility in assisting in the resolution of customer complaints.
• Participates on committees, task forces, and special projects.
• Independently participates in appropriate professional development activities.
• Oversees reservations for incoming patients, urgent admissions, and outpatients/observation.
• Ensures the accuracy of documentation regarding attending providers, provider service, patient class, and level of care as communicated to the Capacity Management Coordinator.

Performs other tasks as assigned by the Director, Manager or Lead Capacity Management Specialist.

Organizational Expectations

Adheres to OSUWMC and James policies and procedures, including the organizations compliance program. Utilizes the principles of Relationship-Based Care to guide professional practice. Embraces the mission, vision, values, and nursing standards of practice of the organization as demonstrated through positive patient/guest relations, positive and effective interactions with staff, and formulating and achieving goals consistent with Key Results Areas. Maintains infection control standards, implementing patient safety protocols as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

For Hire: Baccalaureate degree in nursing preferred; current license as a registered nurse from the State of Ohio Board of Nursing required; 5 years experience in a clinical nursing capacity required; with ICU/ED experience preferred, demonstration of leadership and management skills preferred.