Registered Nurse - Patient Flow Coordinator

Summary

The Patient Flow Coordinator position is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Accountable for patient care through the coordination of admissions and transfers of Veterans to and within the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) - along with those originating from other facilities both Veterans Affairs (VA) and non - VA. Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age-specific components.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12927181
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Preferred Experience: Clinical Expertise and Knowledge: Extensive experience in clinical nursing practice - preferably in an acute care or critical care setting
• In-depth understanding of patient care pathways - discharge planning - and transitions of care
• Familiarity with evidence-based practices and current healthcare trends
• Med-Surg - Critical Care - Emergency Department and/or Behavioral Health experience preferred
• BLS required Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to analyze complex clinical situations and develop efficient solutions for patient flow issues
• Proficiency in using data to drive decision-making and improve patient outcomes
• Technological Proficiency: Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHR) systems - patient tracking systems - and other relevant healthcare technology
• Ability to adapt to new technologies and integrate them into patient flow processes
• Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Focus: Commitment to quality improvement initiatives and patient safety standards
• Experience with performance improvement projects and clinical process redesign
• Education and Professional Development: Baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing (BSN or MSN) is preferred
• Certification in current specialty is advantageous
• Physical Requirements: Repetitive computer entry - working with detergents - working with infectious populations - mental and emotional stability - both eyes required - both legs required - ability to distinguish shades of color - ability to distinguish basic colors - depth perception - kneeling - standing - walking - both hands required - use of fingers - pushing - straight pulling - light - moderate and heavy carrying - light moderate and heavy lifting - repeated bending - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.
  
  

Duties

• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs
• Provides direct and indirect nursing care to patients with complex needs as related to transfers - admissions - telephone triage - and discharges
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to validate and collect patient information such as benefit eligibility - insurance status - Veteran travel eligibility - and bed availability at the VAMC
• Facilitates bed control - placing patients on the most appropriate unit
• Coordinates care with multiple providers across all levels and sites care
• Assures services interface within the VA and community care programs to provide continuity of care to patients
• Processes admission requests from providers - clinics - and other VA or community hospitals
• Communicates census and bed availability across all units and resolves bed utilization issues
• Utilizes bed management systems (BMS - EDIS - HER - etc.) to assign patients to appropriate units
• Facilitates timely room turnover by coordinating with Environmental Management Services
• Serves as the facility's subject matter expert on patient flow - bed management - and resource allocation during day shift operation
• Effective verbal and written communication skills to interact with patients - families - healthcare teams - and external partners
• Ability to present data and facilitate discussions during multidisciplinary team meetings
• Commitment to quality improvement initiatives and patient safety standards
• Experience with performance improvement projects and clinical process redesign
• Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHR) systems - patient tracking systems - and other relevant healthcare technology
• Ability to adapt to new technologies and integrate them into patient flow processes
• Strong organizational skills to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and responsibilities effectively
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment and respond calmly in high pressure situations
• Leadership abilities with experience in coordinating and leading clinical teams
• Strong interpersonal skills to foster a collaborative approach among various departments and disciplines
• Ability to inspire and motivate colleagues towards achieving common goals
• Extensive experience in clinical nursing practice preferably in an acute care or critical care setting
• In Depth understanding of patient care pathways - discharge planning - and transitions of care
• Familiarity with evidence-based practices and current healthcare trends
• Med-Surg - Critical Care - Emergency Department and/or Behavioral Health experience preferred
• BLS required
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized