Registered Nurse - RN Intake Coordinator - Psychiatric Medical Unit

Trinity Health MI; Grand Rapids (MI); Remote; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Trinity Health MI is seeking an RN Intake Coordinator for the Inpatient Psychiatric Medical Unit (PMU). The role coordinates patient intake and admission processes, conducts clinical assessments, evaluates referrals, and ensures timely placement for psychiatric hospitalization.

The position requires strong clinical judgment, MI RN licensure, BSN, BLS, and at least three years of acute care experience. Night shift, remote work, and full‑time hours are offered with collaborative teamwork across

Qualifications

• BSN required and active MI RN license.
• Current BLS certification.
• Three years of acute care RN experience.
• Preferred: two years in utilization management and audits.
• Ability to work autonomously with strong clinical judgment and communication.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for inpatient psychiatric admission referrals.
• Review referrals for admission criteria, medical stability, and unit appropriateness.
• Coordinate admission decisions with psychiatrists and the care team.
• Communicate bed status and admission decisions to referral sources.
• Participate in quality improvement and policy development related to admissions and throughput.
• Collaborate with ED staff, nursing leadership, social work, case management, and providers.

Skills

Clinical judgment

Assessment

Communication

Coordination

Autonomy

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Registered Nurse License (MI)

Job description

Position Summary

The RN Intake Coordinator serves as the clinical gatekeeper for admissions to the Inpatient Psychiatric Medical Unit (PMU). This role is responsible for coordinating the patient intake and admission process, conducting clinical assessments, reviewing referrals, determining appropriateness for admission, facilitating communication between referral sources and providers, and ensuring timely placement of patients requiring psychiatric hospitalization.

Employment Type

Full time

Shift

Night Shift

Position Summary

The RN Intake Coordinator serves as the clinical gatekeeper for admissions to the Inpatient Psychiatric Medical Unit (PMU). This role is responsible for coordinating the patient intake and admission process, conducting clinical assessments, reviewing referrals, determining appropriateness for admission, facilitating communication between referral sources and providers, and ensuring timely placement of patients requiring psychiatric hospitalization.

Collaboration

The RN Intake Coordinator collaborates closely with emergency departments, medical units, crisis services, community providers, physicians, social workers, and behavioral health teams to ensure patients receive the appropriate level of psychiatric care.

Requirements

The position requires strong clinical judgment, knowledge of psychiatric and medical conditions, effective communication skills, and the ability to coordinate care in a fast‑paced environment.

What you will work

• Full time
• 40 hours per week
• Night Shift
• 11:00 PM - 7:30 AM
• Remote

Admission Coordination

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all inpatient psychiatric admission referrals.
• Receive, review, and process referrals from emergency departments, medical units, transfer centers, community agencies, outpatient providers, and external hospitals.
• Evaluate referrals for admission criteria, medical stability, psychiatric acuity, and unit appropriateness.
• Coordinate admission decisions with psychiatrists, advanced practice providers, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Facilitate timely acceptance, denial, or redirection of referrals based on clinical criteria and available resources.
• Maintain awareness of census, bed availability, staffing, and unit capabilities.

Assessment and Clinical Review

• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric and nursing assessments to determine level-of-care needs.
• Review patient records, laboratory results, diagnostic findings, medication histories, and risk assessments.
• Assess patients for suicide risk, homicidal risk, aggression, elopement risk, substance use concerns, and medical comorbidities.
• Identify patients requiring medical clearance or additional evaluation prior to psychiatric admission.
• Ensure compliance with applicable admission criteria and regulatory requirements.

Communication and Collaboration

• Collaborate with psychiatrists, nursing leadership, social work, case management, emergency department staff, and referring providers.
• Communicate admission decisions and bed status updates to referral sources.
• Coordinate patient transfers from referring facilities and internal departments.
• Participate in multidisciplinary discussions regarding patient placement and continuity of care.
• Provide consultation regarding behavioral health level-of-care determinations.

Quality and Performance Improvement

• Participate in quality improvement initiatives related to patient access, admissions, and throughput.
• Monitor trends related to referrals, denials, transfers, and patient placement.
• Assist with policy development and process improvement efforts.
• Participate in audits, regulatory surveys, and performance improvement activities.

What you will need

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Current State of Michigan Registered Nurse License
• Current BLS Certification - American Heart Association
• Three years acute care as a RN
• Preferred: Two years recent acute care utilization management experience, experience in facility audits/appears and processes
• Ability to work autonomously with little direction and be accountable for outcomes

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.