RN, EROC Logistics Specialist - Baroness Hospital - Transfer Center - PRN

Erlanger Health System•Chattanooga, TN

23d•Onsite

About The Position

The EROC Logistics Specialist RN is a key operational and clinical resource within Erlanger Health, responsible for managing patient flow and ensuring timely, safe transitions across all levels of care. This role combines advanced nursing expertise with strong coordination and communication skills to optimize hospital capacity and throughput. The patient logistics nurse facilitates all patient transfers and direct admissions, including contacting and securing physician acceptance for incoming patients, transcribing physician telephone orders when necessary, and ensuring compliance with EMTALA regulations. Using EPIC as the primary platform, the patient logistics nurse monitors real-time census data, assigns beds for medical-surgical, telemetry, and intensive care units, and proactively addresses capacity challenges to prevent delays in care. The EROC Logistics Specialist RN collaborates across departments to ensure smooth patient flow: Works with ED to prioritize admissions and reduce boarding times, Coordinates with ICU for high-acuity bed availability and urgent transfers, Partners with Case Management for complex discharge planning and placement considerations, Communicates with Hospital Leadership on capacity status and surge management, Engages Ancillary Services (Radiology, Transport, Environmental Services) to expedite patient movement and room turnover. The EROC Logistics Specialist is responsible for facilitating the safe, efficient, and seamless transition of patients transferring from outside healthcare facilities as well as those transferring within the enterprise. This role ensures appropriate placement by applying clinical knowledge, situational awareness, and operational judgment to support organizational flow. The EROC Logistics Specialist interacts with internal and external partners through telephone, fax, email, and in person communication. This position requires frequent collaboration with physicians and their office staff, Registration and Admitting, the Emergency Department, inpatient nursing units, and a variety of other internal departments. By coordinating patient movement, troubleshooting barriers, and maintaining clear, timely communication, the EROC Logistics Specialist helps optimize patient throughput, support capacity management, and enhance the overall patient care experience.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited school of nursing
Minimum of one year of recent critical care experience within the past five to ten years
Highly skilled in a wide range of complex nursing interventions
Expert in evaluating intensive care patients, quickly recognizing complications, and initiating appropriate actions
Strong foundation in general nursing principles and practices
Thorough understanding of organizational functions, policies, and regulatory requirements
Must remain current with emerging trends and developments in healthcare technology and patient care
Current license to practice in the State of Tennessee
BLS completed prior to going to the unit/department and maintained going forward

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's of Science in Nursing
Prior experience in a hospital transfer center or patient flow coordination role
Proficiency in managing complex patient movement across multiple care sites
Experience with EPIC, particularly in bed management and patient flow workflows
Previous exposure to emergency department operations
Previous exposure to critical care environments
Previous exposure to interdepartmental collaboration
Proven ability to navigate high pressure situations
Proven ability to prioritize competing demands
Proven ability to maintain compliance with EMTALA regulations
Strong organizational skills
Advanced computer literacy
Exceptional customer service capabilities
Prior leadership or charge nurse experience
Familiarity with throughput initiatives
Familiarity with hospital capacity management strategies

Responsibilities

Facilitates all patient transfers and direct admissions.
Contacts and secures physician acceptance for incoming patients.
Transcribes physician telephone orders when necessary.
Ensures compliance with EMTALA regulations.
Monitors real-time census data using EPIC.
Assigns beds for medical-surgical, telemetry, and intensive care units.
Proactively addresses capacity challenges to prevent delays in care.
Collaborates with ED to prioritize admissions and reduce boarding times.
Coordinates with ICU for high-acuity bed availability and urgent transfers.
Partners with Case Management for complex discharge planning and placement considerations.
Communicates with Hospital Leadership on capacity status and surge management.
Engages Ancillary Services (Radiology, Transport, Environmental Services) to expedite patient movement and room turnover.
Facilitates the safe, efficient, and seamless transition of patients transferring from outside healthcare facilities as well as those transferring within the enterprise.
Ensures appropriate patient placement by applying clinical knowledge, situational awareness, and operational judgment.
Interacts with internal and external partners through telephone, fax, email, and in person communication.
Collaborates with physicians and their office staff, Registration and Admitting, the Emergency Department, inpatient nursing units, and a variety of other internal departments.
Optimizes patient throughput, supports capacity management, and enhances the overall patient care experience by coordinating patient movement, troubleshooting barriers, and maintaining clear, timely communication.