Assistant Director, Care Coordination

DCH Health System•Tuscaloosa, AL

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Care Coordination works collaboratively with interdisciplinary and healthcare team members, both internal and external to the organization to facilitate patient care through effective utilization and monitoring of healthcare resources. The position assumes a leadership role to achieve desired clinical and financial outcomes for the DCH System. The role assists the Corporate Director of Care Coordination in the provision of leadership and direct oversight of Care Coordination Services by both RN Case Managers, Social Work Case Managers, and the Utilization Review Coordinator. In partnership with the Corporate Director of Care Coordinator, this role coaches, monitors, educates managers, utilization review coordinators, physicians, social workers, team members, and work units in the principles of case management and serves as the expert for issues regarding revenue cycle (through collaboration with the Utilization Management department) and case management processes for the DCH System. Facilitates community improvement projects to improve the quality of healthcare and improve outcomes such as length of stay, readmission reduction, and resource utilization management.

Requirements

Bachelor Degree in Nursing and current Alabama RN licensure with at least five years of experience in leadership in case management and or utilization management.
Skill in using Microsoft Office applications and Information systems, including but not limited to MIDAS.
Demonstrated critical thinking skills and ability to prioritize workload.
Ability to exercise clinical judgment and autonomous decision-making.
Strong interpersonal skills relative to both professional and lay interactions.
Strong organizational skills.
Demonstrated working knowledge of performance improvement activities.
Demonstrated working knowledge of data management/reporting practices.
Strong communication skills. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Nursing, business, or healthcare administration preferred.

Responsibilities

Works collaboratively with the Corporate Director of Case Management to facilitate and achieve desired case management goals for the department and may lead the department when the director is not present. Serves as a super user for technology platforms. Supports the timely and effective implementation of CarePort for both internal and external parties involved in its use. Ensures ongoing effective utilization of all technology platforms.
Ensures compliance of department activities to meet regulatory and confidentiality requirements.
Ensures the case management department adheres to best practices through continuous education, 1:1 education, as necessary, structured orientation, and effective preceptorships.
Provides guidance and support to department managers as they guide their RN case management, social work case management, and utilization review staff. Assists managers in overseeing, counseling, and providing additional training to staff members who require reeducation or support to meet compliance standards. Oversees interviewing, selecting, hiring, and retention of Care Coordination staff.
Participates in the evaluation of staff skill sets, competence, and compliance with required regulations. Ensures optimal focus on all case management roles, discharge planning, care coordination, resource management, and collaboration with the Utilization Review Department.
Utilizes established benchmarks to monitor, track, and trend aggregated and plan-specific CM and UR metrics. Utilize this information to monthly meetings with department managers and staff.
Responsible for compliance with Care Coordination and Utilization Review standards for accreditations, initiatives, and the Employee Handbook
Supervises the work of Care Coordination Managers, supervising and executing progressive discipline as needed.
In collaboration with the Corporate Director of Care Coordination, implements the UM plan in accordance with the mission, vision, values, and strategic goals of the organization and CMS Conditions Participation.
Participates in unit rounds intermittently to assess their efficacy and bolster the process as needed.
Uses the department dashboard to monitor, track, and analyze outcomes, as well as participate in development or effective strategies to improve negative trends. Reports this information in monthly meetings with department managers and staff.
Supports the development of departmental policies and procedures.
Maintains awareness of industry changes and serves as a resource for sharing national best practice models.
Makes active contributions to the development of a technology-driven clinical decision support system that can monitor medical resource utilization and identify learning opportunities for improved case management.
Builds trusting relationships with attending physicians, patients, family, caregivers, and/or significant others, as well as members of the healthcare team. Establishes a caring relationship with patients and their caregivers, promotes patient engagement, and guides patients/families through the transition phase
Continually strives to improve care by soliciting and carefully considering feedback from patients and families and interdisciplinary team, and community partners.
Assists the Corporate Director of Case Management in managing departmental budget and productivity standards.
Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
All other duties as assigned.