Rehabilitation Department Case Manager in CHEROKEE, North Carolina at Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority

The Rehabilitation Department Case Manager performs duties established by the Rehabilitation Department Manager and the PTA Supervisor, and is a direct report to the PTA Supervisor. Responsibilities include facilitating patient flow including triaging patients for scheduling and/or treatment maintaining inventory and stocking of clinic supplies, cleaning, patient care, supporting clerical and clinical staff and performing miscellaneous tasks to assist with workflow of the Rehabilitation Department. Ensures department standards are met and kept up to date with Joint Commission Standards. Coordinates clerical office duties between rehabilitation clerical staff and clinical staff. The Rehabilitation Department Case Manager provides medical assistance to the Podiatry Clinic providers and Orthopedic providers in the absence of the Ortho Technician.

• Initiates orders with outside vendors to maintain department specific supplies and equipment in conjunction with Supply Department
• Receives supplies and restocks clean supply room
• Assists with fracture management including applying casts in the Ortho clinic setting under direct supervision of the Ortho provider
• Assists with fracture management including applying casts in the Podiatry clinic setting under the direct supervision of the Podiatrist
• Assures Joint Commission standards are maintained with daily and monthly temperature logs, humidity logs, equipment check lists, daily maintenance of Nail Care equipment, ensures expiration dates on departmental supplies are in acceptable date range and overall departmental standards are within compliance
• Responsible for Department compliance with Infection Control requirements; completes necessary surveys and paperwork and submits to IC
• Assists in maintaining clean treatment areas and equipment.; restocks linen; responsibility for overall neatness of department
• Stocks medications used in Physical Therapy, Wound Care, Podiatry treatment. Stocks medications for ortho clinic as needed.
• Inventories and stocks supplies in clinician treatment rooms daily
• Ensures Joint Commission compliance with procedures for equipment sterilization process
• Performs biweekly cleaning of hydrocollators. Performs cleaning of freezer and paraffin units as needed. Performs semi-annual cleaning of fluido-therapy machine
• Performs Case Management by entering referrals and pushing all required medical records to outside providers for Rehabilitation Clinical staff as needed.
• Performs Case Management by entering referrals and pushing all required medical records to outside providers for Podiatry Clinic and Orthopedic Clinic as needed
• Schedules Podiatry patient appointments with outside providers
• Schedules Orthopedic patient appointments with outside providers as needed
• Chart review and case management for Shoe Clinic as needed
• Requests and obtains outside medical records from referral sources
• Performs chart reviews in Ortho clinic to ensure timely follow up for injections and fracture care as needed
• Performs chart review and ensures timely follow up for treatment for Podiatry patients
• Performs chart reviews for referrals to rehabilitation clinical providers and triages patients to the appropriate provider to ensure timely appointments for patient flow.
• Assists in the treatment of complex wound care including dressing removal and application and wound cleaning
• Fills in for Orthopedic Clinic and Rehabilitation Department front desk Clerks as needed
• Assists clinicians with transfers and treatments within the Hospital
• Transports patients to other departments within the hospital as needed for patient care.
• Assists with the treatment of complex in-patients as needed for safety precautions
• Transports specimens to lab
• Receives incoming phone calls
• Schedules clinic appointments for all clinicians in the Rehabilitation Department and responsible for understanding the complexities of the scope of practices of each individual profession in the Rehabilitation Department
• Orders labs and x-rays for Providers as needed
• Obtains vital signs; recognizes abnormal values and alerts clinicians to abnormal values
• Operates a variety of specialized medical equipment, such as electrical stimulation, ultrasound, treadmill, stationary bike, etc. Recognizes malfunctioning and unsafe equipment and initiates corrective action by placing work orders to appropriate departments.
• Initiates appropriate action when safety measures are required to protect patients.
• Maintains a safe environment through the practice of Universal Precautions and Body Substance Isolation, medical waste/chemical management and containment. Isolates infected patients.
• Promotes patient advocacy and confidentiality.
• Checks on patients on unattended modalities.
• Participates in ongoing Rehabilitation department community outreach programs
• Establishes good interpersonal working relationships with patients and staff.
• Maintains clean, neat, and safe work environment.
• Demonstrates ability and willingness to adapt to special circumstances, such as, staffing shortages, patient emergencies, fluctuations in census, and disasters.

• May be necessary to work when administrative leave is granted if patient care would be compromised.
• Other duties as assigned to ensure CIHA policies and procedures are upheld.

Job Knowledge

• Knowledge and skill to perform advanced clerical services within the department
• Proficiency with computers, phones, copy/fax and scanning. Ability to adapt to new technology skillsets and good interpersonal skills
• When records are received, the incumbent will ensure that all necessary health/administrative information are integrated into the Electronic Health Record (EHR) through Vista scanning hardware and software.
• Experience with an electronic health medical record and scheduling package software
• Ability to perform basic chart reviews to ensure timeliness of patient appointment scheduling; requires some judgement to schedule with the appropriate provider
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret required Joint Commission and infection control regulations.
• Knowledge of proper handling of specimens, performing vital signs and recognizing abnormal values.

• Basic knowledge of diseases and illnesses and the ability to recognize and report changes in the patient's condition to the clinical staff within the Rehabilitation Department
• Knowledge and skill to assist the clinicians in treatment and modalities performed in the Outpatient or Inpatient setting.

• A practical knowledge of performing prescribed treatment plans such as dressing changes or passive range of motion under the direction of the licensed clinician.
• A practical knowledge of the medical facility's organization and services, the basic rules and regulations governing visitors and patient treatment, CIHA service eligibility, HIPPA, COBRA, and practical knowledge of standard procedures, medical records, and medical terminology.
• A basic knowledge of diseases, medical and surgical procedures, as well as standard abbreviations used by the medical staff.
• Ability to interpret medical prescription orders from outside providers for rehabilitation services and ability to triage to appropriate clinical for scheduling.

• Knowledge and skills in operating specialized medical equipment, such as electrical stimulation, ultrasound and MIST. On the job training will be provided.
• Applicant must have a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

Education/Experience

• Associates Degree or higher in health care related field is required.
• 5 years’ experience in a health care clinical setting
• Requires 6-12 months to become proficient in position
• Requires CPR/BLS certification within 6 months of hire

Contact with Others

The position requires excellent communication skills to interact courteously and professionally across the spectrum of patient care. Duties require frequent written, face to face and telephone communication and interaction with fellow staff, patients, families, hospital personnel, outside providers and community agencies to exchange information and to coordinate and assist with care and treatment.

Confidential Data

An above average degree of discretion is required, and adherence to HIPPAA is mandated by Federal Law. Must adhere to all hospital and tribal confidentiality policies, procedures, and guidelines. Has access to all medical records and prescribed treatment plans for patients; all of which are confidential. Must maintain complete confidentiality of all administrative, medical, and personnel records, and all other pertinent information that comes to his/her attention or knowledge. Adheres to all tribal and federal guidelines, policies, and procedures for working with confidential data. Violations of such confidentiality shall be cause for adverse action including dismissal.

Responsibility for Accuracy

The incumbent is responsible for accuracy as well as timeliness of work performed. The immediate supervisor reviews work for accuracy and determines steps to prevent errors from reoccurring. The employee must comply with all FPM, DHHS, PHS, IHS, and State regulations.

Mental/Visual/Physical

Work in the various services within the department is fast paced and requires considerable walking, standing, bending, pushing, and lifting in helping patients to and from beds, wheelchairs, and plinths. These same activities are required in moving equipment and medical supplies.

Resourcefulness and Initiative

The Rehabilitation Department Case Manager is required to work independently and cooperatively with fellow staff members to ensure smooth operation of the clinics and maintain a congenial work environment. The position requires knowledge of and the ability to anticipate daily needs behind the scenes to keep the department stocked, clean and neat, as well as filling in with other tasks as needed such as assisting with clerical duties, scheduling and receiving consults. The ability to multitask is and prioritize needs is essential. The position requires the ability to problem solve and find creative solutions as needed.

Environment

The work environment involves moderate risks of exposure to infectious disease, radiation, electrical hazards, irritant chemicals and explosive gases.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service.