Lead Nurse Coordinator - MSU - Rotating Day/Night - Part Time - 24 hours per week - Union Hospital

Union Hospital in Elkton, Maryland, a part of Christiana Care Health System is seeking a Lead Nurse Coordinator for the Medical Specialty Unit (MSU) to work 24 hours per week, 0630-1900 and 1830-0700 rotating day/night position with weekend and holiday commitment.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

To coordinate the staffing adjustments and patient placement/bed coordination activity as an administrative resource to nursing personnel, physicians, ancillary departments, and the administrator on call.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receives calls from on-site physicians and outside agencies for the placement of all step-downs, intermediate and critical care patients, evaluates the patient care needs in light of available beds and makes most appropriate bed assignments
• Oversee all Bed Board functions and initiates plans to improve bed flow and patient throughput.
• Facilitate timely and appropriate placement/movement of patients through system, including direct admissions, admissions via the emergency department and referrals from outside institutions.
• Collaborate with physicians concerning patient placement and procedures.
• Establish appropriate priority related to patient placement, admission, and movement.
• Facilitate patient flow congruent with departmental census/acuity.
• Collaborates with Access Center personnel and provides information and assistance to referring physicians and facilities to expedite admissions from the referring facilities.
• Document accurate patient information from physicians and referring facilities.
• Demonstrate knowledge and responsibilities related to the referral and admission process.
• Interface with ancillary departments, as necessary.
• Promotes quality customer service.
• Performs other duties as required.
• Maintains required credentials and mandatory in-service topics.
• Maintains a professional manner when dealing with co-workers, all CCHS staff, physicians, families, and patients.
• Evaluates patient care needs in collaboration with on-site manager or unit coordinator and reassigns nursing personnel as needed among nursing areas.
• Utilizes effective verbal and written communication skills with patients, families, co-workers, management, physicians, and ancillary department staff.
• Responds effectively to on-site hospital emergencies as outlined in the Nursing Service Structure Standards.
• Evaluates risk management/legal issues as they arise, consults with Risk Management when indicated, and provides guidance to on-site personnel on these issues.
• Delegates duties and tasks to other nursing personnel after assessment of the situation.
• Performs assigned work safely, adhering to established departmental safety rules    and practices. Reports to supervisor, in a timely manner, any unsafe activities, conditions, hazards, or safety violations that may cause injury to oneself, other employees, patients and visitors.
• Assures patient care units are working within their budgeted hours of care as well as assure inpatient units are staffed appropriately, based on acuity.
• Acts as a representative for all Administration and patient Relations after business hours, weekends, and holidays.
• Maintains a professional working relationship with all CCHS Leadership and collaborates for problem resolution as needed.
• Maintains mentoring relationships with charge nurses and CCHS staff.
• Acts as a resource for patients, families, and physicians related to patient flow issues.
• Acts as a liaison between the Bed Board and all portals of entry for CCHS related to patient flow issues.
• Works with ED clinical staff to facilitate bed flow and continuous evaluation of patients, related to level of care.
• Superior interpersonal skills
• Strong leadership qualities and able to solve problems (results oriented).
• Assists in the coordination and facilitation of daily bed management meeting.
• Works with patient care areas to facilitate patient flow.
• Rounds on all patient care units, identifies open rooms, recommends and facilitates internal unit moves, as necessary.
• Holds In-patient staff accountable for all patient flow processes and notifications.
• Develop and recommends innovative solutions regarding patient access and patient flow issues.
• Assists staff with transferring patients when a change in level of care is warranted.
• Evaluates patients to determine the appropriateness of patient placement.
• Evaluates sitters to determine the appropriateness/necessity of sitters.
• Collects bed data to assist with beds, discharge issues, and update BMD w