Patient Flow Coordinator - RN

About the Role

The ED Patient Flow Coordinator is responsible for the overall movement of patients through the ED in a safe and efficient manner. This position coordinates all patient care activities and serves as a liaison to the ED physician to ensure care is delivered effectively. The coordinator delegates workload appropriately and models teamwork, leadership, and professionalism in the ED.

Responsibilities

• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Manages front-line operations to meet departmental goals, including the 5 keys of excellence, DCH Mission, and Vision.
• Serves as a liaison to the Triage RN and provides a “quick look” triage for patients received via ambulance.
• Acts as a physician liaison by anticipating patient plans and expediting care updates with the physician.
• Directs team members regarding prioritization and patient flow.
• Minimizes physician interruptions by serving as a point person for MDs and facilitating communication with providers.
• Assigns patients to teams and rooms, monitors room availability, and ensures timely turnover.
• Coordinates orders, specimen collections, and treatments.
• Notifies MDs and providers when a patient is ready for disposition.
• Liaises with other departments to address delays in lab, pharmacy, and consults.
• Coordinates admissions and transfers.
• Monitors and maintains the tracking board, ensuring data accuracy.
• Oversees ED teams (e.g., Care Track) and encourages adherence to team guidelines.
• Sets priorities for patient placement, including ED admits and discharges.
• Communicates with Administrative Supervisors regarding unit situation changes.
• Uses triggers/criteria to eliminate potential bottlenecks and ensures protocol adherence.
• Attends “ED Huddles” to communicate patient status, admissions, staffing needs, and “borders.”
• Provides minimal clinical intervention but offers clinical consultation to caregivers.
• Collaborates with the Department Team Leader to expedite patient flow by adjusting staffing.
• Reports patient flow processes and team performance in ED Committee and Patient Throughput Team meetings.
• Holds staff nurses and MDs accountable for defined quality measures, including patient wait times.
• Addresses and resolves patient flow problems during shifts.
• Leads by example, modeling professional behaviors in problem-solving and customer service.
• Encourages open communication among staff members.
• Demonstrates clinical excellence in Emergency Nursing practice.
• Performs professionally during crisis or emergency situations.
• Provides feedback to staff on performance and reports concerns to the Team Leader.
• Communicates issues involving providers with the Lead Physician or ED Medical Director.
• Maintains exemplary attendance and availability based on department needs.
• Collaborates with peers to ensure role coverage (e.g., unexpected absences, vacation).
• Promotes a safe environment by adhering to protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Displays sound judgment and critical thinking in decision-making and problem-solving.
• Directs activities to support DCH Mission and departmental goals.
• Communicates information verbally and in writing to appropriate persons.
• Demonstrates knowledge of documentation and downtime procedures.
• Observes and practices DCH policy on patient confidentiality, including online information and medical records.
• Performs initial and annual competency assessments per job class.
• Maintains performance, patient, and employee satisfaction standards as outlined in performance evaluations.
• Adheres to DCH Behavioral Standards, fostering positive relationships with patients, families, coworkers, and colleagues.
• Performs essential job functions safely for patients, visitors, and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices to minimize risks and hazards.
• Recognizes and takes action to mitigate risks to patients, visitors, and employees.
• Uses electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software, and intranet.
• Adheres to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Current RN licensure in Alabama.
• BSN or a minimum of two (2) years of RN experience required.
• Recent 2-year RN experience in an Emergency Department setting required.
• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider training required.
• Current AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training required.
• Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training required.
• Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) certification required.
• Basic MS Word and MS Excel skills required.
• Minimum of 6 months of experience as a charge nurse.
• Demonstrated clinical knowledge to evaluate and prioritize patient flow issues.
• Prior experience in leadership, clear communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and delegation.
• Ability to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

Work Context

• Demonstrates leadership skills and makes decisions affecting others.
• Responsible for achieving outcomes through clear and accurate communication.
• Ability to delegate tasks to team members and students.
• Must be able to receive delegation from others.
• Addresses conflict and stressful situations effectively.
• Communicates with diverse personalities and engages in face-to-face discussions.
• Handles unpleasant or verbally/physically aggressive individuals.
• Uses electronic mail, telephone, and texting for communication.
• Works collaboratively in groups.
• Performs structured and unstructured work under time pressure and deadlines.
• May be exposed to human body fluids, diseases, infections, lab chemicals, and hazardous materials.
• Requires wearing protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, masks, and gowns.

Physical Requirements

• Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 30 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly.
• Tolerates prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Must be able to reach in all directions, stand, walk, kneel, bend, sit, and stoop.
• Ability to run in emergencies.
• Exerts maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, and carry objects.
• Coordinates finger movements and perceives temperature, texture, shape, and size with fingertips.
• Performs duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Possesses stamina to work prolonged shifts.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.