RN - Patient Healthcare Advocate (Part Time)

Responsible for coordinating and supporting patient care across the healthcare continuum. Collaborates with all disciplines to ensure effective and efficient patient care delivery and outcomes. Works with internal and external agencies to provide safe/optimal transitions.

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:    

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.  

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Clinical Excellence/Patient Care

• Assesses the needs of patients and families, providing appropriate teaching and making the necessary referrals to provide continuity of care.
• Functions under all accountabilities of the Registered Nurse position.
• Works with patients/families to identify their goals for hospitalization.
• Acts as a resource to staff members.
• Educates/mentors staff.
• Collaborates with all members of the healthcare team to ensure safe/optimal outcomes for patients/families.

Utilization Review

• Reviews admission data to determine medical necessity and appropriateness of admission and level of care, based on approved criteria and standards.
• Interacts with medical support staff and/or hospital Performance Improvement committee to facilitate the recognition, research, isolation and resolution of potential problems related to utilization review.
• Establishes and implements a program of concurrent review of admissions and continued stay of all patients, in accordance with applicable statues, regulations, and contacts.
• Interfaces with other hospital departments in matters of review decisions, discharge planning, and fiscal communications.
• Functions as a resource for external agencies requiring clinical review of patient’s medical conditions/care.

Transitions

• Participates with multidisciplinary team to provide smooth transitions for patients transferred from other facilities.
• Participates in multidisciplinary care conferences as able/appropriate.
• Collaborates with post acute facilities/agencies to provide smooth/safe transition for discharge.
• Works with multidisciplinary team, the patient and family to provide a smooth transition to home.
• Provides phone follow-up for select discharged patients/families.
• Works with provider to coordinate consults with other departments/specialists.
• Assists providers with gathering and organizing information to provide comprehensive care to patients.
• Facilitates communication between providers and staff.

Basic UPH Performance Criteria

• Demonstrates the UnityPoint Health Values and Standards of Behaviors as well as adheres to policies and procedures and safety guidelines.
• Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.
• Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.
• Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, DIA, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.
• Completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year.
• Is knowledgeable of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse). Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of hospital administrative staff. Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.

Foster Unity

· Leverage the skills and abilities of each person to enable great teams.

· Collaborate across departments, facilities, business units and regions.

· Seek to understand and are open to diverse thoughts and perspectives.

Own The Moment

· Connect with each person treating them with courtesy, compassion, empathy and respect

· Enthusiastically engage in our work.

· Accountable for our individual actions and our team performance.

· Responsible for solving problems regardless of the origin.

Champion Excellence

· Commit to the best outcomes and highest quality.

· Have a relentless focus on exceeding expectations.

· Believe in sharing our results, learning from our mistakes and celebrating our successes.

Seize Opportunities

· Embrace and promote innovation and transformation.

· Create partnerships that improve care delivery in our communities.

· Have the courage to challenge the status quo.

• Graduate of accredited nursing program
• Current licensure in good standing to practice as a Registered Nurse in Iowa.
• Must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or obtain certification within three (3) months from date of hire.
• Must possess and maintain current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification or obtain certification within six (6) months from date of hire.
• Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons.
• Writes, reads, comprehends and speaks fluent English.
• Multicultural sensitivity.
• Microsoft Office – basic computer skills.
• Customer/patient focused.
• Critical thinking skills using independent judgment in making decisions.
• Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.
• Work may occasionally require travel to other UPH facilities. May drive a UPH vehicle, rental or own vehicle.