The Patient Flow Specialist is a professional RN who is responsible for: 1) Placement of bed-placed patients admitted to and transferred within Benefis Health System. 2) Triaging phone calls from physicians, physician offices, other healthcare providers, and within patient care areas. 3) Assisting the staffing office with providing clinical support, registry personnel, and effective Clinical staff floating to the nursing units identified as needing more staff. 4) Effective communications throughout Benefis to facilitate appropriate patient placement and staffing ratios. 5) Assesses information coming into the Patient Flow Center and communicates to departments within the hospital and outside agencies. 6) Coordinates patient placement issues with Radiology, Cardiology, and Emergency Room. 7) Resource to the units regarding problem-solving patient care issues. The individual will work with the physician, their office staff, and the hospital departments to ensure increased coordination and effective placement of staff, patients and movement of supplies, equipment, medications, etc. (Service Response Specialists).

NON-EXEMPT

Ability to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per unit care area statement.

Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.

Ability to implement and revise plan of care as indicated by the patient's response to treatment and evaluate overall plan daily for effectiveness.

Ability to perform , interpret, and take appropriate action on waived testing (point-of-care testing) per Clinical Laboratory's standards

Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and their clinical condition.

Follows the five (5) medication rights.

Formulates a teaching plan based upon identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning. Family is included in teaching as appropriate.

Demonstrates an ability to assist physicians with procedures and performs services requiring technical and manual skills.

Answers patients' call lights, anticipates patients' needs and makes safety rounds of patients.

Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families. Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians and other healthcare providers.

Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care.

Participates in patient care conferences.

Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patient population served. Able to interpret data about the patient's status in order to identify each patient's age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group.

Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.

Consults other departments as appropriate to provide for an interdisciplinary approach to the patient's needs.

Communicates appropriately and clearly to Nurse Manager, co-workers and physicians.

Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.

Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs of patients and family; communicates with Social Service/Discharge Planner regarding both in hospital and post discharge needs.

Documentation meets current standards and policies.

Manages and operates equipment safely

Coordinates and supervises patient care as necessary.

Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.

Demonstrates the ability to deal with pressure to meet deadlines, to be accurate, and to handle constantly changing situations.

Demonstrates the ability to deal with a variety of people, deal with stressful situations, and handle conflict.

Demonstrates ability to perform unit specific competencies to include the performance of nursing treatments and provision of clinical services. (See skills checklist)

Professional Requirements:

Adheres to dress code.

Completes annual educational requirements.

Maintains regulatory requirements.

Wears identification while on duty.

Maintains confidentiality at all times.

Attends department staff meetings as required within the department.

Reports to work on time and as scheduled; completes work in designated time.

Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.

Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.

Coordinates efforts in meeting regulatory compliance, federal, state and local regulations and standards

Communicates and complies with the Benefis Health System Mission, Vision and Values as well as the focus statement of the department.

Complies with Benefis Health System Organization Policies and Procedures.

Complies with Health and Safety Standards and Guidelines.