Responsible for the coordination and daily operations of the Swing Bed Program. This includes not only the ongoing program development program, but community and patient education, program promotion, along with adherence to regulations.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Assumes Responsibility for the Coordination for the Development and Promotion of Swing Bed Program by:

• Meets with patients/family/significant other to assess post hospital needs and facilitates linkage to swing bed program.
• Reviews medical documentation to ensure criteria for admission is appropriate.
• Ensures patients have a well-planned process in place from admission to discharge or transfer of care for medically complex patients. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to assess clinical readiness for transfer and discharge.
• Focus is on referral growth, census development, and promoting efficient and effective transitions of care to the skilled nursing facility.
• Maintains constant communication with discharge planners/social workers to help in facilitating patients desire to transfer within Swing Bed Program.
• Attends daily rounding.

Assures that quality patient care is provided by:

• Recognizing potential and actual patient concerns in a timely manner, investigating to define problems, intervening when immediate attention is needed and reporting results to appropriate person.
• Talking and listening to patients, families and members of the health team.
• Contributing to the Performance Improvement Plan for the program.
• Reviewing, interpreting and administering Swing Bed policies to staff, patients, physicians and others.

Evaluates appropriateness of care coordination services for referred patients and coordinates transition between in-patient or out-patient settings, including the patient's home by:

• Ability to communicate positively and effectively with all levels of participants in health care delivery in both formal and informal settings and with individuals as well as groups of varying size and through documentation.
• Clinical expertise appropriate for designated patient population.
• Capable of managing complex workload and establishing priorities.
• Provides clinical data necessary to insurance companies to ensure that admission is certified and continued stay is justified based on medical interventions and patient condition.
• Maintains spreadsheets and data reporting measures.

Performs other Functions to Maintain Personal Competence and Contribute to the Overall Effectiveness of the Department by:

• Serving on appropriate committees, councils or task forces as requested.
• Completing other job-related duties and projects as assigned.
• Serving as an educator and clinical resource person for the Swing Bed patient.

Supports the management team by:

• Developing an effective, professional working relationship with physicians and multi-disciplinary staff. Assisting with coordination of care, implementation of protocols, as appropriate, etc.
• Providing input into the formulation of the capital and operating budgets for specialty area; assisting with the implementation of cost-efficient programs. Participating in the evaluation and determination of needs for new and different equipment, instrumentation and supplies, as reflected by current and new trends in perioperative nursing.

Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by:

• Maintaining a liaison communication with Manager of Patient Care Services, physicians, nursing personnel and ancillary/support departments.
• Assisting in the resolution of physician/patient/family concerns.
• Completing other job-related assignments and special projects as directed.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing required. Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Michigan and a minimum of three years job related experience. Work or healthcare related field is preferred. Previous referral, transitional care coordination, or community health services experience preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Possesses outstanding interpersonal skills with focus on listening, assertion, persuasiveness and collaboration.
• Must be able to show empathy, be sensitive, and tactful.
• Must have a positive attitude and approach.
• Must be intuitive, open minded, persistent, and have absence of significant prejudice or transference issues.
• Reviews continued stay criteria for transfer of discharge.
• Possesses strong knowledge of medical and clinical processes. Develops clinical expertise appropriate for designated patient population.
• Works with patient's families and other members of the healthcare team to assist in navigating the transfer of care.
• Understands function of complex healthcare organization providing broad scope of services.
• Ability to communicate positively and effectively with all levels of participants in health care delivery in both formal and informal settings and with individuals as well as groups of varying size and through documentation.
• Capable of managing complex workload and establishing priorities.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of reimbursement processes and community resources.
• Complies with hospital expectations regarding ethical behavior and standards of conduct.
• Complies with federal and hospital regulations regarding protected health information and patient privacy.
• Requires knowledge of nursing care practices, equipment, procedures and techniques utilized within the department.
• Requires working knowledge of department policies, procedures and practices.
• Demonstrates solid management skills needed to provide effective direction and manage the effective utilization of resources; also requires the ability to promote teamwork.
• Requires the interpersonal and communication skills necessary to build and maintain effective working relationships and interact in a highly effective manner with all levels of staff. Also requires the ability to disseminate information in a clear and concise manner.
• Demonstrates excellent planning and organization skills necessary for project planning and to coordinate the activities of diverse groups of individuals.
• Requires a strong customer service orientation.

Working Conditions

• Complexity of workload and communications may involve mental stress.
• Works in a patient care environment, requiring physical exertion, frequent changes in job demands, and certain undesirable patient care activities.
• Requires schedule flexibility due to the department's 24 hours per day, 7 days per week operation.
• At risk for occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens.
• Travel required via vehicle is required to visit patient's in-hospital and skilled nursing facilities.
• Possible exposure to biohazards.

Physical Demands

• Requires the physical ability and stamina (i.e. to walk/stand for prolonged periods of time, push carts/wheelchairs up to 50 pounds, to position/lift patients at a maximum of 35 pounds unassisted, over 35 pounds requires assistance, provide CPR, etc.) to perform the essential functions of the position.