POSITION SUMMARY

The Hospitalist Liaison is a member of the Hospitalist team who serves in an expanded nursing role to collaborate with the patients, hospitalist, specialists, and case managers to provide a model of care that ensures the delivery of quality, efficient, and cost-effective healthcare services across the continuum. The Hospitalist Liaison facilitates the delivery of high-quality care through the application of evidence based medical protocols and improves the quality of outcomes. The Hospitalist Liaison acts as a facilitator of care across the care continuum thus, interfacing with acute care and post discharge agencies, fostering physician relationships, and assisting in the coordination and facilitation of patients assigned to the Hospitalist group. The individual provides clinical leadership, expertise, collaboration, consultation and mentorship to promote evidence-based practice.

LEADERSHIP VALUES

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

1.     Completion of a registered nurse degree program required.

Experience:

1.     Two years acute care nursing experience.

2.     Experience in one or more of the following is preferred: Case Management; Utilization Management; Quality Improvement; Performance Improvement; regulatory and compliance processes.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1.     Effectively functions as a team member and as a liaison between patient and staff.

2.     Strong interpersonal skills; ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management and staff across the system.

3.     Exceptional customer service and demonstrated effective interaction with physicians, patients, and staff.

4.     Job requires strong verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills.

5.     Communicates in highly professional manner at all times.

6.     Ability to effectively assess and communicate with patients, their families, providers, and outside agencies.

7.     Ability to independently work and problem solve based on patient’s needs.

8.     Demonstrates a high level of mental and emotional tolerance and even temperament when dealing with ill people; uses tact, sensitivity, sound judgment and a professional attitude when relating with patients, families, and co-workers at all times.

License/Certification/Registration:

1.     Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Pennsylvania.

2.     Meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) and renews BLS every two years.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives general supervision from the Manager and Medical Director of Hospitalist Medicine.

SUPERVISION GIVEN
None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Facilitates quality discharge planning:
   1. Ensures the patient progresses through the continuum of care and is discharged with the appropriate education to manage their diagnosis
   2. Verifies patient education is provided and follow up appointments are made within 5 days of discharge.
   3. Coordinates follow up appointments, labs, and tests/procedures.
2. Oversees coordination with Case Management department for UM / home health/ DME/ skilled nursing placement.
3. Communication hub: Acts as a central point of contact to improve communication between the hospitalist team, patients, families, and other healthcare providers.
4. Assessments: May perform clinical assessments to evaluate patient readiness for different levels of care, such as post-acute rehabilitation.
5. Documentation: Assists with preparing and organizing medical documents and information for physicians and other staff.
6. Fosters patient/physician relationships.
7. Identifies high risk / readmissions / target population.

Supports changes in the health care environment that lead to improved patient outcomes.

1. Participating in Performance Improvement activities as needed.
2. Participate in hospital committees and special projects as appropriate
3. Facilitating cost effective, efficient, safe-patient centered care.
4. Develops and monitors best practices using national patient safety goals and other resources.
5. Other responsibilities as assigned to further departmental and organizational goals.

Works in conjunction with the Hospitalist Clinical Performance Nurse.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Performs related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.