Patient Placement Case Mgr

Baystate Health•Springfield, MA

About The Position

The RN, Patient Placement Bed Manager facilitates accurate patient placement across the health system based on clinical relevance, integrating care management skills to support organizational fiscal goals. The role supports the patient throughput assistant and serves as the clinical expert and decision-maker for daily throughput at BHS, integrating clinical and financial considerations to determine appropriate levels of care and placement. The position manages BH ED admission requests and Regional Transfer Center requests for placement in BH hospitals, coordinating with providers on transfers requiring specialty services. It manages internal patient flow between levels of care and beds, and upholds decision-making processes for appropriate bed assignment and efficient movement from access points to the appropriate care setting. The role reviews admissions to identify level of care, possible practice guideline use, anticipated length of stay, and anticipated care needs. In collaboration with the health care team, it evaluates patients’ and families’ medical, psychosocial, and physical needs and advises on evidence-based practice guidelines. It performs utilization analysis using established screening criteria, nursing expertise, and judgment; communicates relevant findings and changes in level of care; and facilitates discussion of care plans for the appropriate setting. The position also addresses excessive length of stay, placement problems, and other issues by communicating them to the department manager. It uses clinical knowledge to support quality, evidence-based care and appropriate unit, hospital, and patient-status assignments.

Requirements

Massachusetts-licensed Registered Nurse.
Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
Five years of acute-care clinical nursing experience.
Working knowledge of community resources and Utilization/Quality Review standards.
Understanding of hospital patient placement guidelines and patient throughput.
Critical-thinking skills and ability to assess and prioritize decisions in a rapidly changing environment.
Excellent interpersonal skills for interacting with health care providers and support staff at all levels.
Excellent computer, telephone, organizational, and relationship-building skills.

Nice To Haves

Emergency department or critical care experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Facilitate accurate patient placement based on clinical relevance and appropriate level of care.
Support the patient throughput assistant and serve as the clinical expert and decision-maker for daily BHS throughput.
Coordinate BH ED admission requests and Regional Transfer Center requests for placement in BH hospitals.
Work with providers on transfer requests requiring specialty services to confirm that care can be provided before acceptance.
Manage internal patient flow when patients need to move between levels of care or beds.
Review admissions to identify level of care, potential practice guideline use, anticipated length of stay, and anticipated care needs.
Work with the health care team to evaluate patients’ and families’ medical, psychosocial, and physical needs and arrange appropriate bed placement.
Perform utilization analysis on admission using established screening criteria and guidelines, nursing expertise, and sound judgment.
Communicate utilization analysis findings and changes in level of care to the health care team.
Facilitate requests for appropriate beds based on patients’ levels of care and clinical needs.
Assess admission appropriateness and level of care, and facilitate discussion of plans for care in the appropriate setting.
Communicate excessive length of stay, placement problems, and other issues to the department manager.
Support quality, evidence-based care by assigning patients to the appropriate unit and hospital with the correct status.