RN Care Coordinator, Inpatient (Part Time, Days)

About the role

Inpatient Care Managers are Registered Nurses who independently assure patients are admitted to the correct level of care for accurate billing and reimbursement, provide quality, cost‑effective clinical coordination/care management in acute care and emergency care settings, and manage patients with routine and complex transition planning needs by independently assessing needs, developing, and implementing plans of care for transitions across care settings. They also serve as expert consultants and educators for physicians and other health‑care team members for discharge and transitional care, coordination of internal and community resources, and support the evaluation and improvement of systems of care to support optimal utilization of health‑care resources while maintaining quality of patient care. The Inpatient Care Manager assumes primary accountability for anticipating, assessing, developing, implementing, documenting, advising, and communicating a safe transition plan of care for patients with complex care needs.

Essential Responsibilities

• Coordinates post‑discharge patient care needs to assure the timely and effective discharge of routine and complex patients from the hospital setting.
• Independently and proactively completes and documents patient assessments that are thorough, timely, age‑appropriate, and reflect psychosocial support systems, care needs, health plan benefits, and level‑of‑care determinations for hospitalized patients.
• Coordinates and communicates with patients, families, and the health‑care team to develop mutually agreeable plans of care that optimize resource use to support individual patient needs.
• Facilitates resolution of issues that present barriers to safe transfers through patient/team care conferences, ensuring efficient transition to a lower level of care and that the patient/family receives the right care at the right time, enhancing quality and utilization of resources.
• Ensures systematic and ongoing contact with interdisciplinary staff and continuing‑care services to assure safe transition of patients across care settings.
• In collaboration with the interdisciplinary health‑care team, ensures regulatory and compliance standards are met.
• Performs duties as requested.

Basic Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum of two years combined RN experience in any of the following areas: Med/Surg (hospital acute care), ICU (hospital acute care), Emergency Department, Home Health, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Hospice, Long‑Term Acute Care, Inpatient Rehab, Utilization Management.
• Education: Successful completion of an RN program by date of hire; High School Diploma or GED required.
• License, Certification, Registration: Registered Nurse license (Washington) within 6 months of hire OR Compact RN license within 6 months of hire; Registered Nurse license (Oregon) within 6 months of hire; Basic Life Support certification within 3 months of hire. Credentials from the primary work state are required at hire; additional state credentials required post‑hire.
• Additional Requirements:
  • Demonstrated ability to interrelate with physicians, nurses, support staff, and patients in an interdisciplinary approach.
  • Ability to work as part of a team and serve as a constant patient advocate.
  • Basic physical, psychosocial, and functional assessment skills.
  • Familiarity with care processes related to discharge and transitional facilities and services.
  • Thorough knowledge of teaching, delegation, assessment, care planning, and appropriate utilization of acute hospital, long‑term care, and home‑care resources.
  • Ability to develop concise and thorough documentation of patient clinical assessment and care needs.
  • Highly effective problem‑solving, written and verbal communication, customer service, organizational, and time‑management skills.
  • Ability to provide culturally competent care.
  • Ability to navigate conflict in high‑pressure situations.
  • Proficiency with fixed and mobile technological devices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of appropriate utilization of acute hospital and Kaiser Permanente internal resources.
• Knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid regulations related to eligibility requirements for hospital, nursing facilities, home health, hospice, and Durable Medical Equipment (DME).
• Understanding of utilization management principles and tools.
• Demonstrated clinical judgment and customer‑focused service skills.
• Knowledge of patient teaching principles, disease‑prevention measures, and physical assessment as they relate to patient needs and the next level of care.
• Certification in Case Management.
• BSN or bachelor’s degree and MSN.