Communication Center RN - Patient Accommodations

Overview

The Communication Center RN is responsible for coordinating patient admissions and transfers from physician offices and other outside facilities to DCH RMC and NMC. This role is responsible for assuring that patients have appropriate orders and patient status upon admission. The Communication Center RN participates in planning and assignment of hospital beds in conjunction with the Patient Accommodation Staff and Administrative Supervisor.

Responsibilities

Applies excellent customer service techniques while serving as the primary contact for Physicians who seeks to admit patients to DCH. Uses excellent organizational skills to achieve maximum efficiency in a fast-paced environment of the Communication Center Coordinates and facilitates the transfer of patients from physician offices and other health care facilities to DCH RMC and NMC using established processes and policies. Collects clinical information to help providers in determining the appropriate patient status and level of care. Collaborates with DCH RMC and NMC with accepting physician to arrange proper placement for patient. Serves as a patient/physician customer service liaison. Facilitates prompt bed assignments for newly admitted patients. Facilitates accurate placement of patients requiring special considerations due to infection control needs or other pertinent clinical situations. Facilitates bed assignment to patients in the Hospital Computer System. Collaborates with Nursing Supervisor and/or Manager of Patient Accommodations regarding patient placement concerns. Accurately completes Communication Center data. Responsible for accurate and timely completion of patient registration and account data into the Hospital Computer System. Promotes excellent customer relations with physicians, clinical leaders and staff, patients, visitors, and the community. Provides direct feedback to appropriate person(s) regarding clinical issues. Must be willing to carry out other assignments as needed

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.

• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.

• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Maintains current Alabama Registered Nurse License, 5 years RN experience preferred, Critical Care or ED experience preferred, DCH experience preferred. Must be able to work independently. Excellent communication skills required, i.e. phone etiquette, interpersonal skills, and customer service principles. Must be able to prioritize appropriately, coordinate stressful situations effectively, demonstrate self-confidence, and work effectively with various personalities. Previous PC knowledge required with basic keyboarding experience. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak and comprehend English. Customer service abilities including effective listening skills, critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision in a fast pace.

WORKING CONDITIONS

WORK CONTEXT

• Communicate with different personalities and engage in face to face discussion
• Must be able to deal with conflict
• Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately
• Must be able to receive delegation
• Must be able to work in groups
• Must be able to talk to others to convey information effectively.
• Able to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken word
• Must be able to perform structured and unstructured work
• Must be able to meet time pressure and time lines
• Must be able to perform in exact and accurate manner
• Must be able to use electronic mail, telephone and texting

PHYSICAL FACTORS

• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• Vision and hearing normal or correctable to within normal range.
• Able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodations
• Able to stand, walk, kneel, sit and stoop
• Able to tolerate prolonged periods of sitting. 
• Must possess fine motor skills required to conduct data entry.
• Must be able to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking
• Must be able to reach reasonable distances in any direction
• Must be able to stand, walk, kneel, bend, sit, stoop and lift
• Must be able to run in an emergency
• Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner
• Must possess stamina to work prolonged shift
• Must be able to handle high levels of stress. 
• Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Must be able to flex fingers in a coordinated manner for typing.