Point of Entry Nurse - Float Pool- Full Time (Days)

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.

PEOPLE - 25%

1. Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment. Maintains a good rapport with the Emergency Department (ED), physicians and their office staff to streamline patient entry to the hospital, receiving admitting orders and special request concerning each patient. Coordinates with case manager to escalate cases. (EF)
2. Demonstrates teamwork by awareness department activities, consistently offering assistance, and responding positively to requests for assistance. Works closely with ED physicians, social workers and case managers to identify alternate level of care/treatment plan for patients who do not require admission. (EF)
3. Identifies levels of organizational conflict and applies tools to effectively resolve concerns, complaints or conflict with patients, families, physicians and other interprofessional health care team members. Facilitates bed issue resolution when conflicts arise. (EF)

SERVICE - 20 %

1. Oversees patient placement in appropriate beds based on admission criteria, diagnosis, medical necessity, clinical needs, bed availability and staffing, demonstrating proficiency in bed placement. (EF)
2. Coordinates patient flow and bed utilization through frequent and timely communication, maintaining close communication to the unit department regarding patient and physician requests to ensure smooth transition of patients in our facility. Continually assesses needs of customers. (EF)
3. Reviews orders on patients from admission access points to ensure appropriate level of care. Documents, as appropriate, working diagnosis on ED placements:

• Surgery schedule and PACU patients
• Emergency Department
• Transfer Center
• Physician offices/direct admits (EF)

QUALITY/SAFETY - 30%

1. Evaluates transfers to entity for appropriateness including clinical, financial and social issues and coordinates them with unit and Operations Administrator, ensuring they are managed in a timely manner and within EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act) guidelines. (EF)
2. Obtains relevant clinical data from sending facilities, working effectively with accepting physicians and nurses to ensure clear communication among caregivers and assist in correct clinical placement of patients to consistently achieve desired outcomes for patient care. (EF)
3. Participates in quality improvement activities by collecting and analyzing data related to patient throughput, identifying trends and suggesting improvement plans. (EF)
4. Promotes accuracy and completeness of clinical documentation to reflect the appropriate Severity of Illness (SOI) and Intensity of Service (IOS) for all patients. Assists physicians in improving documentation to meet regulatory and payor requirements, as appropriate. (EF)
5. Evaluates current and future bed supply to anticipate areas of congestion and potential obstacles to patient flow when clinical lead not available. (EF)

FINANCE - 15%

1. Consistently reviews all admissions for medical necessity and appropriateness of care based on nationally recognized criteria. (EF)
2. Documents all aspects of the transfer in appropriate location and ensures computer system accuracy of patient level of care status to physician order. (EF)

GROWTH/INNOVATION - 10%

1. Identifies and presents areas for improvement in patient care or department operations and offers solutions by participating in department projects and activities. Participates on clinical process improvement teams within the department and hospital. (EF)
2. Oversees any implementation and evaluation of medical management tools for assigned areas to ensure goals and outcomes established by the team are met. (EF)

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certificates, Licenses and Registrations section
• Bachelor's degree preferred

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Two years as a registered nurse in an acute care hospital setting
• Bed placement experience highly preferred