RN-Patient Placement Coordinator

HHC•Indianapolis, IN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Placement Coordinator works collaboratively with nursing colleagues to place patients in beds. The role requires effective problem-solving, critical thinking, and excellent communication while working under pressure. The coordinator develops and coordinates patient-placement strategies to avoid diversion and achieve throughput goals. The coordinator models Eskenazi Health’s mission to Advocate, Care, Teach, and Serve, with special emphasis on Marion County’s vulnerable population, and its PRIDE values: Professionalism, Respect, Innovation, Development, and Excellence.

Requirements

Registered Nurse; an Indiana nursing license is required.
Seven years of professional experience in acute, inpatient, critical care, or emergency department settings.
If holding an ASN, earn a BSN within five years of the start date.
Advanced skills in clinical procedures and use of equipment and instruments relevant to nursing units.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Excellent verbal and negotiating skills, including the ability to handle conflict and reach collaborative consensus.
Knowledge of disease processes and related treatment and care; medications and their uses and side effects; department and hospital policies, procedures, and protocols; relevant state regulations and practice acts; and community referral resources.
Knowledge and skills to provide age-appropriate care, including understanding growth and development across the lifespan, assessing and interpreting information relevant to age-specific needs, and using age-appropriate communication and cognitive skills.
Ability to identify patient treatment and care requirements or understand disease processes.
Ability to work independently and cooperatively across disciplines, adapt to changing situations and priorities, work effectively under stress and in crisis situations, establish care priorities, demonstrate empathy, and use sound judgment.
Ability to help keep self and others calm during high-stress situations.
Knowledge of nursing practices and standards for nursing units, the Indiana Nurse Practice Act, and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
Charge nurse or shift coordinator experience preferred.
Progressive leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead daily Bed Huddles and communicate strategies for patient movement and throughput.
Maintain positive working relationships and provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers; support teamwork between work units.
Collaborate with medical staff, nursing staff, and ancillary and support services to facilitate patient throughput.
Support departments by centrally prioritizing patient placement.
Assign appropriate beds based on diagnosis, acuity, and staffing requirements in collaboration with shift coordinators and area management.
Collaborate with nurses, leadership, physicians, and medical management regarding downgrade and discharge orders.
Monitor and project bed availability based on known and expected discharges and transfers.
Ensure patients are appropriately placed in accordance with Infection Control standards.
Work with shift coordinators, area management, and the central staffing office to adjust staffing, open additional beds, and ensure staffing is adequate for census and acuity.
Coordinate with transportation services and EVS to ensure efficient bed turnover.
Retain responsibility for hospital admissions and transfers during the shift.
Participate in diversion-avoidance planning and discussions.
Serve as a response-team contact for bed assignment under the Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Plan and apply crisis-management and critical-incident skills as applicable.
Oversee, coordinate, and implement the preventive-maintenance plan to ensure compliance in patient-care areas.
Assist the House Supervisor in maintaining the daily house report.
Participate in hospital committees, shared governance, task forces, or projects as agreed upon with the Director.
Promote a healthy work environment by being an accessible leader who seeks to understand concerns and help achieve collaborative solutions.