Patient Flow RN

Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic seeks an RN Patient Flow Coordinator to optimize bed placement and admit patients efficiently at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. The role evaluates diagnosis, physician preference, and bed availability, coordinating with the One Call Center and care teams to ensure safe, timely admissions.

Responsibilities include admission reviews, collaboration with department leaders, and ongoing care coordination support.

Qualifications

• Current RN license in the state of Iowa.
• BSN or healthcare degree preferred.
• Two years of clinical nursing experience required.
• Experience in Patient Access, Admissions and Flow Operations preferred.
• BLS certification by end of orientation.
• Basic understanding of computer applications.
• Knowledge of insurance eligibility requirements for health care services.
• Ability to manage complex clinical situations related to patient placement.

Responsibilities

• Monitors patient admissions to assure appropriate patient placement.
• Focuses on efficient bed utilization when assigning beds, based on diagnosis and bed availability.
• Conducts admission reviews to assure hospitalization is warranted.
• Oversees incoming calls from the One Call Center and triages/transfers to admit patients.
• Communicates bed placement explanations to relevant departments and staff.
• Facilitates referrals to care coordination and liaises with physicians and Mercy staff.
• Assists with pre-authorization of services as needed.
• Supports quality management and patient placement decisions.

Skills

RN license

2 years nursing experience

BSN preferred

Education

BSN or healthcare degree preferred

Tools

Basic computer applications

Job description

Employment Type: Full time Shift: Night Shift Description: GENERAL SUMMARY: The RN Patient Flow Coordinator is responsible for appropriately placing patients, based on diagnosis and physician preference, with consideration of bed availability and oversees the incoming calls of the One Call Center and working with protocols, triages and transfers those calls appropriately to facilitate the admission of patients to Mercy Medical Center.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Monitors patient admissions to assure appropriate patient placement
• Focuses on efficient bed utilization when assigning beds, based on patient diagnosis, special needs, physician preference and bed availability.
• Conducts admission reviews per the UM plan related to level of care changes, to assure that hospitalization is warranted based on established criteria.
• Utilizes knowledge of current census information and potential inpatient bed needs to project accurate and appropriate placement of incoming patients.
• Oversees the incoming calls of the One Call Center and, working with protocols, triages and transfers those calls appropriately to facilitate the admission of patients to Mercy Medical Center.
• Communicates bed placement explanations to appropriate Patient Flow and Patient Access Department staff.
• Facilitates communication with respective Department Directors and managers regarding bed flow and other issues as appropriate.
• Facilitates appropriate referrals to care coordination.
• Occasionally assists with pre-authorization of services, as needed.
• Utilizes expert knowledge and teamwork to facilitate cohesive efforts to achieve continuous quality management and excellence in providing for patients and/or populations.
• Applies professional Nursing skills in applying the four aspects of the nursing process (assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation) when indicated to evaluate needs of incoming patient and the disease process to assess needs for bed placement and appropriate care.
• Acts as a liaison between Doctors, offices, facilities and Mercy to facilitate the admission process.
• Assists medical staff physicians with interpretation and compliance with external regulatory agencies and Medicare, Medicaid and third party payer requirements.
• Carries out hospital programs and principles of utilization review in compliance with hospital policies and external regulatory agencies Peer Review Organization (PRO), The Joint Commission (TJC, and multiple payer defined criteria for eligibility. Validates medical necessity using Medicare guidelines.
• Promotes proactive planning and direction for care management, patient placement, pending discharges/transfers and appropriate use of services.
• Works closely with the House Supervisor to efficiently manage patient volumes and available resources

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Possession of a current license as a registered nurse issued by the State of Iowa.
• BSN or degree in healthcare related field preferred.
• Two years clinical nursing experience required.
• Experience in Patient Access, Admissions and Flow Operations, preferred.
• Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter – Child and/or Dependent Adult Abuse training within three (3) months of hire.
• BLS certified by the end of the orientation period (approximately six (6) weeks). Acceptable credentialing bodies and certifications include American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers.
• Basic understanding of computer applications.
• Knowledge of eligibility requirements for insurance coverage with respect to health care services: ambulatory, observation stays, surgical, acute care, subacute and continuum of care services.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex clinical situations related to patient placement.
• Ability to work and function independently exercising judgement to reach resolutions to issues related to patient placement.

Our Commitment Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, faith-based health care systems in the nation. Together, we’re 121,000 colleagues and nearly 36,500 physicians and clinicians caring for diverse communities across 27 states.

Nationally recognized for care and experience, our system includes 101 hospitals, 126 continuing care locations, the second largest PACE program in the country, 136 urgent care locations, and many other health and well-being services. Based in Livonia, Michigan, in fiscal year 2023, we invested $1.5 billion in our communities through charity care and other community benefit programs.

For more information, visit http://www.trinity-health.org. You can also follow Trinity Health on LinkedIn.