Care Coordinator (RN) - Pulmonary

Under limited supervision, directs application of clinical expertise to patients with bronchiectasis and/or NTM infection and their families within the Pulmonary Division in both ambulatory care and inpatient settings at MUSC Hospital. Coordinates clinical care to maximize safety, patient and co-worker satisfaction, and quality patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Uses expert clinical judgment and decision-making skills to predict potential patient responses and assist in patient management through an episode of illness.
• Analyzes deviations from expected patient/family responses and designs creative strategies to improve outcomes.
• Demonstrates accountability to patients and families through clear communication, visibility, and problem-solving on their behalf.
• Optimizes cost, quality, and outcomes by reducing unnecessary tests/procedures and negotiating care plan changes.
• Assesses and redirects activities based on staff, patient population, and clinic needs in collaboration with nursing and physician colleagues.
• Interfaces with community services and agencies to support their mission and ensure optimal patient outcomes.
• Organizes and prioritizes nursing care activities considering patient and care team needs.
• Negotiates short/long-term goals with patients to develop and evaluate individualized care plans.
• Provides leadership in developing, analyzing, integrating, and updating complex care plans.
• Initiates, facilitates, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to improve patient care, ensuring appropriate referrals.
• Utilizes the nursing process to facilitate individualized care plans efficiently and effectively.
• Coordinates care with interdisciplinary team members, aligning with roles and responsibilities.
• Designs, implements, and evaluates culturally sensitive patient/family education and treatment plans.
• Delegates tasks appropriately using professional judgment.
• Facilitates new referrals by obtaining clinical information, radiology films, and organizing patient visits with providers.
• Serves as the primary contact and physician liaison for patients and families throughout treatment.
• Demonstrates leadership in advancing clinical knowledge of bronchiectasis and/or NTM infection through collaboration in developing standards of care and practice.
• Reviews and analyzes current nursing literature and research to improve practice.
• Identifies clinical problems for study and seeks opportunities to participate in investigative/evaluative activities.
• Participates in QI activities and clinical research as designated by the bronchiectasis and NTM care team.
• Oversees and assists with accurate data entry into the patient registry and supervises ancillary staff involved in data entry.
• Coordinates education for newly diagnosed patients, develops and maintains educational materials, and provides continuing education to staff.
• Serves as a mentor for the care team and promotes disease awareness through community educational activities.
• Coordinates with the care team to ensure treatment aligns with practice guidelines and leads pre-clinic meetings.
• Participates in local, regional, and national programs and initiatives, and supervises administrative and outpatient clinic staff.
• Reviews center-specific data to identify QI projects and liaises with other healthcare providers on QI interventions.
• Reviews and triages patient inquiries, follows up on lab results, and initiates home infusion and home health therapies as ordered.
• Participates in outpatient clinics to monitor and assist with patient throughput.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing required.
• Three or more years of related nursing experience.
• Licensure as a registered nurse by the South Carolina Board of Nursing or a compact state.
• Some positions require certification as a generalist in a related specialty area by the American Nurses Association (ANA).
• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification.

Physical Requirements

• Continuous standing, walking, and sitting; ability to bend, kneel, climb stairs, and reach in all directions.
• Fully use both hands and legs, possess good finger dexterity, and perform repetitive motions.
• Maintain 20/40 corrected vision, recognize objects at close and far distances, and work indoors in a latex-safe environment.
• Frequently lift, lower, push, pull, and/or carry objects weighing up to 50 lbs unassisted; exert up to 50 lbs of force; lift from 36" to overhead up to 25 lbs.
• Infrequently work in dusty areas and confined/cramped spaces.

Schedule

Scheduled weekly hours: 40

Pay

Pay grade: Health-29 (salaried position).