Transfer Center Specialist

Stanford Medicine Children's Health; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 81,952 - 92,976; Full time

Job summary

Stanford Medicine Children’s Health is seeking a Transfer Center Specialist to coordinate emergent, urgent, and elective patient transfers from referring facilities. The role analyzes patient acuity, communicates with physicians and transport teams, and ensures appropriate transport modes and bed placement.

Proficiency with weather products and hospital IT systems is required. Responsibilities include building operational procedures, training new staff, and coordinating with Life Flight teams

Qualifications

• Knowledge of EMTALA and related regulations.
• Experience with medical terminology and hospital transfer processes.
• Ability to communicate under pressure and coordinate multiple teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial telephone intake for patient transfer requests.
• Coordinate with attending physicians, flight/transport nurse, and receiving staff.
• Operate multi-line telephones, radio, and computer systems to support Life Flight transports.
• Determine appropriate receiving services and dispatch transport as needed.
• Maintain documentation of referrals, patient transfers, and progress.
• Monitor weather and flight following systems related to transports.
• Prepare reports and maintain records in the EMR system.

Skills

Medical terminology

Emergency communications

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Company Description

At Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, we know world-renowned care begins with world-class caring. That's why we combine advanced technologies and breakthrough discoveries with family-centered care. It's why we provide our caregivers with continuing education and state-of-the-art facilities, like the newly remodeled Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. And it's why we need caring, committed people on our team – like you. Join us on our mission to heal humanity, one child and family at a time.

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Transfer Center Specialist facilitates the transfer or transport and transition for all emergent, urgent, and elective patients into the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford from referring hospitals, clinics, and physician's offices. Coordinates communication among appropriate medical personnel ensuring appropriate level of care, confirms bed placement, and organizes proper mode of transport. The role includes operation of multi‑line telephones, radio console, weather products including radar and satellite systems, multiple computer database systems, mapping systems, and related equipment. Responsibilities also involve evaluating, processing, tracking, documenting, and coordinating patient transfers and transports into and out of the hospital; efficiently engaging the appropriate departments; participating in training new staff and presenting on staff development topics; representing the department on committees; and developing operational procedures and protocols related to dispatch functions.

Essential Functions

The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. Employees must abide by all Joint Commission Requirements including but not limited to sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patient rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environments, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety Goals, and licensure and health screenings. Must perform all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the hospital's policies and procedures, including its Service Standards and its Code of Conduct.

• Conducts initial telephone intake of information regarding requests for transfer of patients from referring hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford
• Receives incoming calls and sets up teleconferences with attending physician(s), flight/transport nurse, referral source and appropriate receiving staff. Advises physicians and nurses regarding the ramifications of denying admission to patient protected under EMTALA rules and regulations.
• Operates Transfer Center multi-telephone lines, two-way radio transmission and receiving console, computer database, mapping systems and related systems and equipment in support of air-based medical patient transport services.
• Partners with Patient Placement staff, Physicians, and others to appropriately identify the receiving services for patients needing transfer to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford.
• Develops and promotes positive and effective customer service with patients, families, visitors and staff. Ensures accurate and timely dispatch of transport requests.
• Maintains database on referrals and hospital locations. Access, read and interpret county, state and specialized maps for determining locations of accident scenes or referral sources.
• Maintains interface with appropriate agencies to ensure proper coordination of transport services in emergency and trauma-related transport activities. Serves as primary communication link and liaison between Life Flight and Transport crews and medical teams, referring and receiving facilities/agencies, pilots and the physicians throughout transport.
• Responds to emergency transport calls and dispatch Life Flight medical crew according to established procedures; provides information on aircraft or ground transport availability, weather projections, locations and time projections.
• Maintains, records, and makes written and oral reports concerning patient progress for transfer. Prepares reports and other documents concerning or regarding patients.
• Monitors, reads and interprets weather products including radar and satellite systems as requested. Monitors weather, flight following systems and all other communication equipment associated with Life Flight transports, missions and related activities.
• Provides information on aircraft or ground transport availability, weather projections, locations and time projections.
• Reviews patient information to formulate patient acuity for physicians and nurses (such as presence of infectious diseases, need for transfer, appropriate means of transfer, and anticipated discharge planning needs).
• Consults with admitting physician when questions or issues arise regarding medical necessity of transfer. Coordinates with other hospital staff as needed including Social Worker and Case Management.
• Coordinates the mode of transport based on patient acuity.
• Documents findings and recommendations for accepted transfers or transports.
• Documents and tracks all patient acceptance processes in patient electronic medical record system.

Qualifications

Training as EMT, Paramedic, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, Air Traffic Controller, or ED Tech preferred.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications is qualifying.

Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Experience: Two (2) years of progressively responsible and directly related work experience.

License/Certification: None.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Medical Terminology
• Knowledge of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) and related regulations; Knowledge of the requirements and regulations of third‑party payers, such as Medi‑Cal, Medicare, CCS and other government programs as well as private insurance preferred.
• Advanced understanding of radio communications and emergency medical dispatch procedures.
• Able to accurately communicate medical status and care provided at referring facility to the acute care nursing staff of patients transferring to the hospital.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to perform complex tasks, prioritize multiple projects, and work under pressure to meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and apply sound judgment.
• Ability to speak and write effectively at a level appropriate for the job.

Physical Requirements

The Physical Requirements and Working Conditions in which the job is typically performed are available from the Occupational Health Department. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Additional Information

Pay Range

Compensation is based on the level and requirements of the role. Salary within our ranges may also be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, location, and abilities, as required by the role, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. Typically, new team members join at the minimum to mid salary range. Minimum to Midpoint Range (Hourly): $39.40 to $44.70.

Stanford Medicine Children's Health (SMCH) strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment. Accordingly, SMCH does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability, or the perception of any of the above. People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements, and where applicable, in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.