Patient Flow Coordinator (RN)

Full Job Description

The RN Patient Flow Coordinator, at Orlando VAHS for Nursing Operations, is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care.

Demonstrates knowledge concerning the care and movement of patients throughout the facility.

Accountable for patient care through the coordination of admissions and transfers of Veterans to and within the VAMC. Assesses, plans, impements, evaluates care based on age-specific components.

Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C.

7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program.

Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program.

(Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program.

Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).

Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification.

Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade.

The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12875332.

Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.

An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required.

Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required.

Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.

Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.

A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience.

Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.

MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.

*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Prefered Experience: BSN preferred Experience with Patient Flow, BSM, EDIS, and CPRS. Experience with patient chart audits and review.

A minimum of five (5) years of full-time professional nursing practice in a variety of nursing settings. Previous charge nurse experience is highly preferred.

Demonstrated ability in previous assignments to make critical decisions in high-paced work environment.

Demonstrated experience managing complex patient flow and or transfer scenarios involving behavioral health, legal documentation, and interdisciplinary coordination.

Demonstrated dependability for duty and flexibility in work assignments and hours in previous assignments Physical Requirements: This position requires moderate lifting, heavy carrying, straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending, climbing - legs only, Near vision correctable, far vision, ability to distinguished basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing and emotional stability.

Major Duties:

The Patient Flow Coordinator (PFC) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients.

Provides indirect nursing care to patients with complex needs as related to transfers, admissions, and discharges.

Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to validate and/or collect initial patient information and bed availability at the VAMC.

Facilitates the transfer process by working with the interdisciplinary team to establish appropriateness of admission and provider coverage based on review of medical information.

Facilitates bed control, placing patients on the most appropriate unit.

Uses established bed control monitor devices, i.e., Bed Managment System (BMS), Emergency Department Integrated System (EDIS), Capacity Management, to assist in the assignment of patients to the appropriate unit.

The PFC coordinates care with multiple providers across all levels and sites of care. Accurately manages bed control monitor devices.

Participates in interdisciplinary care rounds and/or conferences to review treatment goals, optimize resource utilization, and recommnds alternate levels of care when acute care is not required or recommended.

Effectively communicates census and bed availabilty on all patient care units. Resolves bed utilization issues.

Processes admission requests from providers, clinics, and other VA or community hospitals. Educates internal and external customers on the VAMC admission/transfer process.

Monitors the efficiency of transfers and discharges. Works with Environmental Management Services (EMS) to prioritize the need for rooms to be cleaned.

Acts as a resource across departments/services to provide help and training as needed to both clinical and non-clinical staff.

Paricipates on interdisciplinary committee/teams/task foces focused on the facilitation of patient flow and organizational performance.

Provides direction and participates in the development and implementation of policies and protocols to sensure the delivery of safe, efficient, and effective evidence-based care.

May be expected to cover transfer coordinator. The PFC demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies wiht others.

Evaluates practice in an ongoing process, based on best evidence. Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement.

Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals.

Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the interdisciplinary team. Partners with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes.

Suppports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care. Shares educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers.

Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care. Participates in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence-based-practice culture.

Other duties include but are not limited to: Applies clinical knowledge/judgment to lead staff involvement in planning, decision making, and evaluating outcomes.

Communicates and collaborates as an effective leader of the interprofessional team, at the expert level, with improved evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes.

Expands knowledge base and practice evaluation through mentoring, precepting, and/or teaching to improve outcomes.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: 11:am - 7:30pm, Monday - Friday with rotating weekends as needed for the organization.

Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.