RN Case Manager EX

The Case Manager promotes the achievement of optimal clinical and resource outcomes and is responsible for facilitating appropriate lengths of stay for all hospital admissions in accordance with its goals and objectives. The case manager is responsible for a designated patient caseload that is considered complex and resource intensive, and oversees coordination of complex discharge planning for assigned case load.  The Case Manager is an active member of the interdisciplinary team contributing to team goal setting.  The Case Manager acts as a consultant to the clinical team, service lines and other departments and participates in program development and quality improvement initiatives.

The Case Manager provides age-appropriate assessments, interpretation of data, and delivery of interventions.  Demonstrates the ability to work with any patient regardless of race, gender, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, cultural beliefs, lifestyle, and disease process or treatment plan.

1. Work in a collaborative practice model, facilitating care coordination with the multidisciplinary treatment team for care progression to optimize patient outcomes

2. Provide case management assessment and interventions on the basis of initial screening for discharge needs, identify readmission risks, patient strengths and needs related to transition and discharge planning; collaborate and communicate with multidisciplinary team in all phases of discharge planning process, including initial patient assessment, planning, implementation, interdisciplinary collaboration, teaching and ongoing evaluation.

3. Oversee and coordinate complex medical discharge planning needs for assigned patients in collaboration with other interdisciplinary team members, assuring a safe discharge plan is developed and implemented in a timely manner; proactively identifies and resolves delays and obstacles to discharge.

4. Collaborate with providers and all members of the multi-disciplinary team to manage the clinical resources and transition planning for patients within assigned caseload from admission through discharge, actively working to identify/eliminate barriers to deliver of services required to advance care and promote timely discharge; facilitate the following on a timely basis:

   1. Completion and reporting diagnostic testing,

   2. Completion of discharge plan,

   3. Modification of plan of care, as necessary, to meet the ongoing needs of patient,

   4. Completion of all required documentation in APeX flowsheets and patient records

5. Coordinate and lead multi-disciplinary rounds (MDRs) and monitor discharge milestones, assign accountability for tasks, and proactively identify and address/ escalate barriers to timely discharge

6. Ensure that all elements critical to the plan of care have been communicated to the patient/family and members of the healthcare team and are documented as necessary to assure continuity of care.

7. Refer appropriate cases for social work intervention

8. Initiate and facilitate referrals through the Resource Coordinators for post-acute care resources (i.e. home health care, SNF, rehab facilities, hospice, medical equipment and supplies).

9. Monitor patients’ length of stay and collaborates with physicians to ensure resource utilization remains within covered benefits and are appropriate in relationship to the patient’s clinical and psychosocial needs.

10. Provide consultation and education to members of the healthcare team, hospital departments, service lines and community agencies and providers.

11. Participate in clinical performance/quality improvement teams within the department, service lines, and hospital to identify opportunities for improvement in such areas as clinical outcomes, length of stay management, and utilization of resources; use data to drive decisions and plan/implement performance improvement strategies related to case management for assigned patients, including fiscal, clinical and patient satisfaction data.

12. Initiate and lead the development, implementation, evaluation and revision of clinical pathways and other case management tools as a member of the clinical resource/team.

13. For patients with significant or intensive psychosocial needs, serve as the secondary care manager, working in close collaboration with the social worker to bring nursing scope of practice and expertise to address the holistic needs of the patient.

14. Consider age specific needs of the patient as appropriate and effectively communicates and interacts with patients, families, staff and members of the community from diverse backgrounds. 

15. Participate in department program planning including goal setting, program development, systems development and improvement.  Participates on department and hospital committees and task forces 

16. Demonstrate competency with work-required computer programs and incorporates use into daily work routine.

17. Demonstrate the ability to interpret data and trends using appropriate analytical skills.

18. Oversee and direct activities delegated and performed by the Support Liaison.

Required qualifications:

• Minimum of two years of inpatient nursing case management experience

• Requires flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.

• Possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in a Healthcare related field. Master’s degree preferred.

• Knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position

• Demonstrates resourcefulness, superior written and oral communication, diplomacy, organizational and analytic skills.

• Self-directed, assertive and creative in problem solving, systems planning and patient care management in a high volume work environment.

• Basic computer skills and proficiency with an electronic patient record

• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams.

Preferred qualifications:

• Recent experience in case management, utilization review or discharge planning preferred.
• Master’s Degree in Nursing or Healthcare related field preferred.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Valid Registered Nurse license in the State of California

• Bachelors Degree in a healthcare related field