Hospitalist Clinical Performance Nurse

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Clinical Performance Nurse (CPN) is a member of the hospitalist team who is responsible for delivery of processes designed to improve quality and efficiency in the care of hospitalized patients. The CPN works closely with the Medical Director and Practice Manager to engage and educate the physician team, optimize performance on defined key metrics, and ensure collaboration with the care team. This position does not involve providing direct patient care. This position is also responsible for overseeing and facilitating clinical performance activities across the full acute episode of care. Activities include identifying cohorts of patients eligible for specific initiatives, participating in daily workflows, advocating for patient goals in the care plan, and ensuring communication throughout the care team as the patient moves through their hospital stay. Success in the role will be defined by measurably improved patient outcomes and experience of care, as well as improved utilization of resources.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

1. Completion of a registered nurse degree program required. BSN preferred.

Experience:

1. Minimum of 3 years acute care nursing experience required.

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

3. 1-2 years experience in a nursing leadership role would be a plus.

4. Experience in the implementation and administration of clinical quality databases preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Effectively functions as a team member and as a liaison between patient and staff.
2. Strong clinical knowledge and experience in the Acute Care Hospital setting (Critical Care, Emergency Department, and/or Case Management experience is helpful)
3. Knowledge of process improvement methodology
4. Exceptional customer service and demonstrated effective interaction with physicians, patients, staff and outside agencies.
5. Job requires strong verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills.
6. Communicates in highly professional manner at all times.
7. Ability to assess patient's clinical status and readiness for discharge
8. Ability to independently work and problem solve based on patient's needs.
9. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize workload in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy
10. 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.
11. Position continually requires demonstrated poise, tact, diplomacy, and good judgment

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

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Clinical Performance

1. Participate in the development of site specific workflows to achieve program goals and performance targets, that are aligned with hospital priorities
2. Partner with the Medical Director and Practice Manager to implement processes and lead process optimization
3. Provide timely status of implementation, barrier resolution, and action plans
4. Understand, clearly articulate, and promote the adoption of hospital clinical performance objectives with the physician team
5. Engage and provide education to the provider team(s) related to clinical performance initiatives, goals, and measurement
6. Facilitate coordination between the hospitalist team and hospital departments (e.g., nursing, quality, case management, clinical documentation) to ensure the delivery of workflows related to: a. Quality measure performance b. Throughput, discharge facilitation, and transitions of care c. Readmission prevention d. Patient experience e. Timely physician response to documentation queries f. Custom initiatives as defined by the hospital and/or regional team
7. Collaborate with the team to establish and communicate patients' care goals
8. Provide patient and family education to ensure understanding of the disease process, next site of care (NSOC) options, and community resources
9. Establish a process for the completion of Home Health Care assessments to determine patients' eligibility when applicable
10. Facilitate follow up and goals of care planning for patients identified to be in the end of life stage of their disease process
11. Ensure a process for scheduling community provider follow up post discharge for patients determined to be high risk for readmission
12. Participate in proactive evaluation of program metrics and initiate additional investigation of drivers when targets are not achieved
13. Collaborate with the Medical Director, Practice Manager, and other site leaders to share performance data with the physician team to drive continuous improvement
14. Continually evaluate processes, tools, and workflows to identify opportunities for improvement
15. Attend required meetings on time and as scheduled:. a. Clinical Performance Reviews and Joint Operating Committee meetings as requested b. Hospitalist team meetings d. RN educational sessions and workgroups c. Other meetings or hospital committees as defined by the Medical Director or Practice Manager.
16. Works in conjunction with the Hospitalist Liaison

Practice Support

1. Participate in hospital committees and special projects as appropriate
2. Orient new physicians to core processes and quality initiatives
3. Collaborate with Medical Director and Practice Manager to contribute to team meeting agendas
4. Serve as a point of contact for hospital staff (e.g., issues related to clinical processes and triage for other potential issues related to hospitalist team)
5. Coordinate educational forums as needed Schedule: Monday - Friday - Day shift (40 hours a week)

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Performs related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.