WEO Nurse Case Manager - Downtown Campus

The University of Iowa Healthcare, Care Coordination Division is seeking a Nurse Clinician/ Nurse Navigator. The role of the Nurse Navigator is to facilitate the progression of care across the continuum for the hospitalized patient through collaboration with the interdisciplinary team which includes but is not limited to patient care staff, providers, patient support, family and community resources. The Nurse Navigator ensures appropriate transitions of care to enable quality outcomes. This position is responsible for ensuring the appropriate utilization of clinical resources with the goal of timely and safe discharges while maintaining healthcare industry compliance. The Nurse Navigator must be adept at driving throughput metrics, clinical effectiveness, and fiscal responsibility.

Duties to Include:

• Perform transition planning activities at the onset and throughout the patient’s hospitalization utilizing clinical skills to create and update personalized transitional care plans at the onset and throughout the patient’s hospitalization.

• Complete the initial assessment or ensures completion of all inpatient/observation patients to identify the barriers that impact the length of stay and discharge planning.  The assessment should also identify the needs of the patients, acknowledge the resources available and anticipate future resource needs for successful transitions.

• Collaborate with the patient’s provider and other healthcare team members in managing the patient’s length of stay and determining the appropriate level of care for transition planning.

• Assist in discharge planning (referrals) for individuals with continuum of care needs (Post-acute facilities, Home Care, Hospice, etc.). 

• Work collaboratively with Social Work or Care Coordination Team Member to manage social issues that impact the ' transition planning needs, and refer cases of suspected/actual abuse, domestic violence, or neglect  to appropriate agencies".

• Navigate the care delivery system while collaborating with the physician and other clinical departments by ensuring that tests, treatments, consults, and procedures are appropriately indicated and performed timely.

• Articulate the plan of care and communicate this plan to other care team members and patient/caregiver thereby enhancing patient and staff satisfaction.

• Intervene to maintain care progression when a deviation in the plan occurs.

• Lead daily multidisciplinary huddles incorporating evidence/best practice outcomes in the plan and communicate that plan to the health care team, including estimated length of stay, barriers to discharge, and anticipated disposition.  Identify what is needed from the team to facilitate the plan.
• Function as a liaison between the inpatient unit and community-based resources on an as-needed basis.
• Provide assessment, brief counseling, information, referrals, and other resource assistance to patients/families as needed.
• Identify high-risk social situations to intervene in and coordinate resources to promote follow-up care.
• Arrange for community services before discharge to meet patients’ post-discharge needs with recognition and documentation of patient choice of service providers.
• Advocate for the patient/family with other health care professionals and community agencies as indicated to enable them to negotiate various social systems.
• Participate in Care Coordination initiatives or other projects according to departmental and organizational monitors.
• Perform basic administrative tasks related to the job to maintain accurate records.
• Maintain a highly level of professional conduct and respect for medical staff, coworkers, and hospital staff to foster a desirable image for the institution.
• Ensure compliance with all hospital/departmental policies/procedures assigned by the Manager including work hours, scheduling, and other criteria for the expected daily operations of the department.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in dealing with all patient-related activities and other sensitive physician and/or hospital issues.
• Demonstrate ability to prioritize multiple work assignments to accomplish the assigned workload.
• Assist in the orientation and precepting of staff and colleagues, as assigned.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.
• Comply with federal, state, and local legal and certification requirements by studying existing and new legislation, anticipating future legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, and advising management on needed actions.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned to ensure that departmental objectives are fulfilled.

University of Iowa Healthcare —recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States—is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.®

Our primary and specialty care is provided by experts from all medical specialties, attracting patients from around the world. We offer our care in convenient, comfortable settings, using the most advanced approaches and with the best outcomes as our goal.

Percent of Time: 60%

Schedule: Saturday/Sunday 700-1930

Pay Grade: https://hr.uiowa.edu/pay/pay-plans/seiu-pay-plan

Benefits Highlights:

• Regular salaried position located in Iowa City, Iowa

• Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans

• For more information about Why Iowa?, click here