Clinical Inpatient Transfer/Flow Coordinator (Registered Nurse)

Summary
POSTION TITLE: REGISTERED NURSE - CLINICAL INPATIENT TRANSFER/FLOW COORDINATOR
This job is open to

• Federal employees - Excepted service
  Current excepted service federal employees.
• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency
Open to U.S. Citizens. Open to current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (including the facility and CBOCs where this vacancy is located) serving on career/career-conditional appointments and past, current, upcoming VHA Health Professional Trainee eligible (HPT) (HPT NOTE: Veteran's Preference applies only when equally qualified [Per HRML 05-09-02]. "VA remains committed to honoring our Nation's Veterans by ensuring a safe environment to deliver exceptional health care."
Videos
Duties
The primary purpose of the Transfer Coordinator RN is to demonstrate proficiency in practice based on conscious, deliberate planning and is self-directed in goal setting for managing complex patient situations. The Transfer Coordinator is a licensed Registered Nurse with clinical competency combined with a high degree of leadership, motivation, self-direction, and initiative in quality and case management activity. In addition, the incumbent demonstrates knowledge of performance measures, patient safety principles, InterQual criteria, VHA eligibility regulations, and other directives. He/she initiates referrals to other disciplines and/or services appropriately. He/she accurately documents in the medical record patient findings, assessments, and care provided. He/she demonstrates and/or verbalizes correct response to emergencies, manages complex patient situations and initiates effective action in emergencies. He/she always demonstrates understanding of infection control precautions. He/she participates in performance improvement and safety initiatives, as well as serves as a resource nurse when necessary.VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total RewardsDuties include but not limited to:

• Accessing the Bed Management System (BMS) frequently to view available beds and to collaborate with appropriate personnel to ensure patients that are in transit to the Medical Center are entered in the system.
• Accurately entering and updating data of Veterans' condition in applicable reports/records.
• Entering clinical information in the Veteran medical record. Administrative issues will be managed through appropriate chain of command and reports.
• Coordinating transfers into the Medical Center with other VISN10 facilities and community partners. Aids Urgent Care for transferring Veterans out of the Medical Center when Administrator on Duty (AOD) is not on duty during business hours. Coordination of transfers will occur for Inpatient Mental Health, Residential and Community Living Center.
• Follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) to ensure timely and accurate information from referring institutions and physicians. Recommends modification in SOPs as needed.
• Expedites the coordination of Veteran's transfers with physicians, staff RN's and other departments as necessary. Ensures appropriate level of care based on signs, symptoms and acuity of the patients using clinical skills based on quality, cost-effectiveness, best practices, and appropriate standards.
• Compiling reports of data pertinent to the inter-facility transfer process.
• Attending and participating in Bed Huddles, phone conferences, collaborative meetings, phone conferences, etc.
• Responsible for managing communication and processes supporting all patient flow activities.
• Promotes optimum utilization of hospital beds as evidenced by minimal delays in obtaining access to care.
• Uses the Bed Management System (BMS) to view patient bed requests and movement throughout the hospital and interface with clinical staff, transportation, and EMS as necessary to assure patient flow occurs in a timely manner. Serves as a resource to services in optimizing BMS.
• Aids multiple services in developing and maintaining processes impacting turnover of beds on inpatient units.
• Demonstrates strong clinical assessment and exceptional problem-solving skills. Evaluates and negotiates appropriate patient placement, prioritizing according to current census, staffing situations and knowledge of patient acuity.-
• Provides oversight for timey bed assignment, triage, prioritizing admissions from different areas (direct admit from home, other community facilities, etc.).
• Collaborates with leaders using proper chain of command in managing identified delays or barriers.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 4:00pm-12:30pm
Telework: To be discussed during interview- ADHOC may be authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6) OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

Preferred Experience: The incumbent must have 3 - 5 years of nursing experience. Preferred 1-3 years of patient flow/throughput. BSN required, MSN preferred. The Transfer Coordinator is a licensed Registered Nurse with increasingly complex nursing
Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade:

• Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience.

Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required.
Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade:

• Nurse IV - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 4-5 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 3-4 years of nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse V - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN (or a Bachelor's degree in a related field) and approximately 5-6 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree (preferred) in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 4-5 years of nursing practice/experience.

Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required.
Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, both legs and repeated bending. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours); Pushing (up to 4 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 8 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters; Correctable vision :20/40 in one eye; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders; Emotional and Mental Stability: The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.
Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in a patient care setting; adequately lighted, temperature controlled, and ventilated. Office temperatures fluctuate periodically; involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as clinics, offices, meeting and training rooms or libraries; exposure to noise and dust on occasion. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations o...