Registered Nurse - Patient Flow Coordinator

Full Job Description

The Patient Flow Coordinator position is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care.

Accountable for patient care through the coordination of admissions and transfers of Veterans to and within the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), along with those originating from other facilities both Veterans Affairs (VA) and non - VA.

Assesses, plans, implements, and 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/12927181.

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/.

Preferred Experience: Clinical Expertise and Knowledge: Extensive experience in clinical nursing practice, preferably in an acute care or critical care setting.

In-depth understanding of patient care pathways, discharge planning, and transitions of care. Familiarity with evidence-based practices and current healthcare trends.

Med-Surg, Critical Care, Emergency Department and/or Behavioral Health experience preferred.

BLS required Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to analyze complex clinical situations and develop efficient solutions for patient flow issues.

Proficiency in using data to drive decision-making and improve patient outcomes.

Technological Proficiency: Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHR) systems, patient tracking systems, and other relevant healthcare technology.

Ability to adapt to new technologies and integrate them into patient flow processes.

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Focus: Commitment to quality improvement initiatives and patient safety standards. Experience with performance improvement projects and clinical process redesign.

Education and Professional Development: Baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing (BSN or MSN) is preferred. Certification in current specialty is advantageous.

Physical Requirements: Repetitive computer entry, working with detergents, working with infectious populations, mental and emotional stability, both eyes required, both legs required, ability to distinguish shades of color, ability to distinguish basic colors, depth perception, kneeling, standing, walking, both hands required, use of fingers, pushing, straight pulling, light, moderate and heavy carrying, light moderate and heavy lifting, repeated bending, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.

Major Duties:

Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.

Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.

Active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs.

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

Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to validate and collect patient information such as benefit eligibility, insurance status, Veteran travel eligibility, and bed availability at the VAMC.

Facilitates bed control, placing patients on the most appropriate unit. Coordinates care with multiple providers across all levels and sites care.

Assures services interface within the VA and community care programs to provide continuity of care to patients.

Processes admission requests from providers, clinics, and other VA or community hospitals. Communicates census and bed availability across all units and resolves bed utilization issues.

Utilizes bed management systems (BMS, EDIS, HER, etc.) to assign patients to appropriate units. Facilitates timely room turnover by coordinating with Environmental Management Services.

Serves as the facility's subject matter expert on patient flow, bed management, and resource allocation during day shift operation.

Effective verbal and written communication skills to interact with patients, families, healthcare teams, and external partners.

Ability to present data and facilitate discussions during multidisciplinary team meetings. Commitment to quality improvement initiatives and patient safety standards.

Experience with performance improvement projects and clinical process redesign.

Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHR) systems, patient tracking systems, and other relevant healthcare technology.

Ability to adapt to new technologies and integrate them into patient flow processes. Strong organizational skills to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and responsibilities effectively.

Ability to work in a fast paced environment and respond calmly in high pressure situations. Leadership abilities with experience in coordinating and leading clinical teams.

Strong interpersonal skills to foster a collaborative approach among various departments and disciplines. Ability to inspire and motivate colleagues towards achieving common goals.

Extensive experience in clinical nursing practice preferably in an acute care or critical care setting. In Depth understanding of patient care pathways, discharge planning, and transitions of care.

Familiarity with evidence-based practices and current healthcare trends. Med-Surg, Critical Care, Emergency Department and/or Behavioral Health experience preferred. BLS required.

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: Monday - Friday - 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized