RN-Nurse Case Manager

Trinity Health•Dubuque, IA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

At MercyOne, health care is more than just a doctor’s visit or a place to go when you’re in need of medical attention. Our Mission is based on improving the health of our communities – that means not only when you are sick but keeping you well. MercyOne Dubuque is the leading hospital in the tri-states, offering the only comprehensive cardiology center and Level II regional neonatal intensive care unit in the area as well as the newly constructed MercyOne Dubuque Cancer Center. Other services include a trauma center, a CARF-accredited inpatient rehabilitation unit, orthopedics, retail pharmacies, palliative care and a wide range of outpatient and community services. MercyOne operates two hospital-based skilled nursing units and a 40-bed nursing home. In recognition of the strength of its nursing service and the overall quality of patient care, MercyOne Dubuque has been designated a Magnet hospital four consecutive times – the nation’s most prestigious award for nursing excellence. The Care Manager RN supports safe, high‑quality patient care by coordinating clinical and discharge planning activities across the continuum. This role integrates clinical expertise, patient advocacy, and collaboration with providers and interdisciplinary teams to ensure timely progression of care, optimize length of stay, and support transitions consistent with regulatory, payer, and organizational standards.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited school of nursing required.
Current Iowa RN license
Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter – Child and/or Dependent Adult Abuse training within three (3) months of hire. Colleagues employed and working solely in facilities located in Illinois are exempt from this requirement in accordance with applicable state requirements.
Three (3) years of nursing or care coordination experience required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify medical, psychosocial, and discharge needs upon admission and throughout the stay.
Collaborate with physicians and the care team to develop, implement, and modify individualized care plans.
Lead daily progression-of-care rounds to identify barriers and ensure timely movement through the care continuum.
Coordinate discharge planning, including patient/family education, post-acute placement, home services, and follow-up appointments.
Communicate clinical information to payers as needed and collaborate with Utilization Review on authorization and continued stay needs.
Identify patients with complex needs and engage Social Work for psychosocial, behavioral health, guardianship, or community resource support.
Monitor length of stay, avoidable delays, readmission risks, and patient flows; escalate barriers as appropriate.
Facilitate safe and appropriate transitions between care settings, ensuring handoffs are accurate and timely.
Promote patient advocacy by ensuring understanding of plan of care, goals, and discharge expectations.
Maintain documentation in accordance with regulatory, payer, and organizational requirements.
Participate in performance improvement, readmission reduction, and throughput initiatives.
Serve as a clinical resource to patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team on care transitions and community options.
Onboards, orients, and mentors new staff.
Provides support to Patient Logistics RNs and clinical partners on level-of-care appropriateness, medical necessity and continued stay criteria, and applicable regulatory and payer requirements.
Provides advanced case management support for complex or high-risk transfer cases, including early identification of discharge barriers for patients transferring from outside facilities.
Evaluates escalated and complex cases that fall outside established criteria and delivers clinical consultation to identify documentation gaps, develop effective escalation strategies, and facilitate coordination with physician advisors, Acute Care Management leadership, and payers.