Patient Flow Coordinator Job Description Template

Patient flow coordinators are key players on healthcare teams, typically working within large hospitals or medical centers to optimize the processing of patients. These professionals can also be found in emergency departments (EDs), where they work to maximize the efficiency of the department and prevent bottlenecks. Writing a patient flow coordinator job description that accurately describes the position and details the qualities you’re looking for will help you attract the right person for the role.

This guide provides an example job description for this specialized position, along with tips to help you tailor each section. Whether you’re looking for a nurse to monitor dashboards in a command center or shape up a busy ED, our printable template will set you on the right track.

Not sure what the job market is like for a position like this? Get insights on current recruiting language and trends by browsing similar nursing positions on our job board. When you reach the interview phase of the hiring process, ask targeted interview questions to ensure you add the right person to your team.

Patient Flow Coordinator

Tips: Start your patient flow coordinator job description with a brief overview of the role and how it fits within your organization. The specifics of this job vary greatly from one setting to the next, so it’s important to give job seekers some vital information upfront. For example, a patient flow coordinator at an ambulatory surgery center may focus on optimizing scheduling, whereas at a large medical center the job may be focused on monitoring real-time data.

This is also the place to introduce job seekers to your healthcare organization’s mission, values, and strengths. What makes your facility or agency stand out? List a few positive attributes to attract candidates.

Template:

[Facility name] is looking for a patient flow coordinator (PFC) to join our leadership team in the emergency department. The PFC works alongside the nurse manager and charge nurse to coordinate the movement of patients throughout the ED.

Our [Facility name] Level 1 Trauma Center provides 24/7 emergency medical services to over 30,000 patients per year. To achieve our mission of delivering exceptional critical care services, we prioritize rapid access to providers and advanced diagnostics. As a valued member of our team, you would work in a fast-paced and rewarding environment connecting patients with high-quality interventions, treatments, and therapies.

Benefits

Tips: Now that you’ve caught the job seeker’s attention, it’s time to list the perks of working with your organization. Patient flow coordinators are often registered nurses (RNs) with leadership experience. The demand for RNs is high, so it’s worth spending time on this section. Consider listing monetary and lifestyle benefits. Your unique list may be the stand-out factor that helps nurses decide to apply.

Template:

• Competitive hourly pay and shift differentials
• 401(k) plan and HSA with employer contributions
• Flexible scheduling options
• Health, dental, and vision insurance for employee and dependents
• Free counseling services available for emotional support
• On-site child care available
• Relocation assistance
• Access to nurse leadership courses, conferences, and seminars

Duties and Responsibilities

Tips: Use this section to give a more detailed breakdown of what the flow coordinator will do on a day-to-day basis. Start with the most important job functions and use action-based language. This portion of the post will help readers distinguish between the PFC role and other similar jobs, like patient care coordinators (PCC). While a PFC is responsible for managing the overall flow of patients throughout a facility or department, a PCC helps individual patients manage the logistics of their care.

An emergency department patient flow coordinator job description may outline administrative duties that require a foundation of clinical knowledge. Highlighting triage expectations will help candidates understand the clinical aspect of the position. In other settings, the role may be purely administrative.

Template:

• Work with the ED nurse manager and ED charge nurse to optimize the flow of patients through the department
• Monitor the ED waiting room and communicate with triage nurses to ensure accurate and timely triage of patients
• Communicate with emergency dispatch personnel to facilitate efficient intake of EMS patients
• Communicate with outside agencies to facilitate efficient intake of transfer patients
• Monitor and track bed availability throughout the hospital
• Ensure timely movement of admitted patients to the appropriate facility unit
• Train ED staff on patient flow optimization strategies
• Identify quality improvement initiatives to improve ED resource usage
• Develop length of stay (LOS) reduction strategies in conjunction with hospital leadership
• Follow patient confidentiality standards
• Interact with all patients, families, and staff with excellent communication skills
• Stay current on emerging hospital operations trends; attend conferences and review industry publications

Compensation and Schedule

Tips: This section provides candidates with details about pay ranges and scheduling options. Patient flow coordinators working in the current healthcare climate are often high-level nurses with an aptitude for innovation and strategic thinking. Be clear about why a talented nurse leader would choose to work at your facility.

If you’re writing a hospital patient flow coordinator job description, remember that applicants may not be familiar with inpatient facility staffing practices. Provide details about shift differentials and weekend coverage expectations.

Template:

• $44.00–$56.00/hr and a $10k sign-on bonus
• 8 or 12-hour day shifts with flexible scheduling options
• Shift differential for any evening hours worked (3 pm to 7 pm)
• Full time, 36–40 hours/week
• Bi-weekly pay periods
• Location: [Facility’s location including city/town, state, and country]

Skills and Qualifications

Tips: This section will define the education and licensure requirements for the role, as well as any preferred credentials and skills. Differentiate between required and preferred qualifications in your job post so that a potentially great candidate doesn’t self-select out due to a misunderstanding.

It’s also important to describe the personality attributes you’re seeking. Flow coordinators may need to be highly communicative, resilient to stress, and strategic — it all depends on the setting and parameters of the role. The ideal candidate for a small clinic may be very different than for a bustling emergency department. Patient flow coordinator job descriptions that are thorough are more apt to facilitate a strong match.

Template:

• An active [State] or multistate RN license required
• BSN required
• At least 2 years in a critical care setting required
• At least 2 years in of experience in a nurse supervisor or leadership position (charge nurse positions included) required
• Excellent communication skills
• Familiarity with predictive analytics preferred
• MSN preferred

Call to Action

Tips: Finish up your job post by encouraging qualified nurses to apply. Promote engagement with your post by making it clear how to apply. For example, you may need to supply an email address or direct candidates toward a button or link.

Template:

Ready to discover how fulfilling it can be to work alongside our expert care team to meet our patients emergency medical service needs? Click here to submit your patient flow coordinator application today.

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