JOB SUMMARY: 

To screen assigned patient populations and, as needed, assess, counsel, educate, and provide discharge planning and problem solving; to ensure continuity throughout the episode of care; to  provide timely and valid information to the multidisciplinary team, physicians and nursing related to discharges and follow-up care of patients. Acts as an advocate for patients and coordinates and collaborates with the medical team to provide quality, cost-effective care, and to promote positive patient outcomes for UTMB patients. 

MAJOR DUTIES / CRITICAL TASKS: 

• Screens and/or assesses patient and/or family to determine discharge needs, identify barriers and solutions to discharge.
• Coordinates patient care throughout the episode of care, ensuring that plans are communicated among medical team, nursing and ancillaries caring for patient.
• Plans and prioritizes daily the discharge needs of each patient assigned.
• Promotes timely discharges by monitoring patients’ status in treatment plan of care, physician decisions and systemic barriers to treatment process.

• Documents appropriately on all care management activities in the medical record and Invision Care Management screens.
• Participates in activities that improve the quality and efficiency of patient care.
• Monitors all patients in observation status and communicates clearly with attending physician regarding decision to release or admit.
• Utilizes appropriate admission criteria, communicates with Utilization Review and the attending physician.
• Monitors delays in patient discharge at the completion of acute treatment when discharge orders are written, and documents activities to assist patients with timely discharge to lower level of care.
• Accountable for professional practice, including time management, clinical documentation, statistical and other record-keeping as needed. Reports as required to the appropriate Team Leader or designee. 
• Maintains licensure, adheres to UTMB’s standards of conduct/mission and vision, and professional code of ethics and standards of practice.
• Supports institutional and departmental CPI.
• Facilitates productivity, team-building, and high team morale in the department and medical service area.
• Respects the rights of co-workers.
• Consistently communicates and displays oneself in a professional and courteous manner.
• Practices and promotes the principles of patient confidentiality, including adhering to HIPAA guidelines on authorization and documentation of disclosures of protected health information (PHI).
• Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure.
• Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE: 

Licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Social Worker (LBSW, LMSW, LCSW) and two years of inpatient experience in a hospital environment. 

EQUIPMENT: 

Able to use appropriate computer equipment and applications. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: 

·        Hospital, ambulatory care, or community environment.

·        Conditions such as noise, odors, cramped workspace and/or fumes could sometimes cause discomfort

·        Moderate physical effort may be required, such as walking, standing, and lifting materials, equipment, and/or objects

·        Must be able to move about the physical facilities in which they are located in order to visit patients

·        Vision, hearing, speech, and sense of touch abilities must be adequate to enable one to quickly and accurately perform tasks such as reading small print, reading from monitoring equipment, defining details, sending and receiving clear and accurate oral communication

·        Shift, on-call, holiday and weekend work may be required

·        Alertness and careful attention to detail will be required to avoid injury

·        May be exposed to occupational hazards such as communicable diseases, and disoriented or combative patients 

OTHER:

May be required to be on standby and work extended shifts in situations deemed necessary by department management or hospital administration.  Specific job assignment, requirements or physical location of positions may be changed.  Job is security sensitive and subject to security clearance.

Specific job requirements or physical location of some positions allocated to this classification, may render this position security sensitive, and thereby subject to the provisions of Section 51.215, Texas Education Code. 

 ANY QUALIFICATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED AS EQUIVALENTS IN LIEU OF STATED MINIMUMS REQUIRE THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION UNIVERSITY