CARE SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Job Summary

 Under the supervision of the Supervisor, Nursing & Clinical Director, CSC, supports ongoing communication with the patient flow coordinator/nursing supervisors, nursing units, patient transportation, and environmental services to contribute to the efficient process of patient throughput. Performs a variety of clerical activities to meet the needs of the nursing departments. This position also performs administrative, clerical and department functions in direct support of the Care Support Center.

Essential Job Functions

• Contributes to the efficient throughput process by ensuring continuous communication with nursing units, environmental services and patient flow coordinator/nursing supervisor.
• Utilizes the electronic bed-board for moving patients into assigned beds.
• Provides patient information regarding transfers/admissions to the nursing units.
• Immediately notifies Environmental Services when a bed is ready to be cleaned. Stat pages to expedite bed cleaning as needed.
• Immediately notifies Patient Flow Coordinator/Nursing Supervisor with bed ready status.
• Notifies appropriate staff (chain of command) when issues arise related to patient placement and bed cleaning.
• Demonstrates utilization of appropriate resource management utilizing the behaviors inherent to the role of the Care Support Specialist.
• Establishes office workflow and communication protocols.
• Answers phone, takes messages accurately and provides to appropriate personnel in timely manner.
• Assists with staffing needs, makes phone calls to staff to secure additional staff as needed or to call staff off related to census changes as directed by the Patient Flow Coordinator/Nursing Supervisor.
• Assists in filing in nursing manuals as updates occur.
• Strives to enhance efficiency by making improvements to the automated process of data collection.
• Assists in PI data entry and collection for capacity throughput initiatives.
• Sends e-mails to appropriate personnel related to late call-offs, case management call-offs and FMLA call offs.
• Performs clerical and data entry functions related to the organization of the Care Support Center.
• Utilizes the Care Support Center maintenance log from Nursing Clinical areas to enter daily staffing changes into the API Active Staffer Scheduling System.
• Addresses questions prompted by data entry with Nursing Supervisor, CNC, Managers for advisement. Requests further information for data documentation when maintenance logs are incomplete.
• Responsible for completing assigned work thoroughly and within a predetermined time frame.
• Verifies data and accurately enters data into the API Active Staffer system. Rechecks work to ensure accuracy paying extreme attention to details.
• Become knowledgeable on the workings of the API payroll system works in relation to the scheduling side of API.
• Directs staff to appropriate API team members when questions/concerns arise about Active Staffer or API.
• Maintains integrity of office work area by consistently assuring a neat, organized appearance of a safe work environment.
• Supports departmental improvement initiatives.
• Prints daily staffing rosters as requested for nursing office use. Prints the Schedule-A-Shift confirmations and files in SAS book where applicable.
• CSC Specialist will be responsible for:
• Performs clerical functions related to the organization of the department. Answers telephone, utilizes functional skills of computer and related software. Knowledge and use of basic office equipment such as copier, fax machine, scanner, etc.
• Documents accurate call off information that come thru the designated system – wide call off line off nursing by utilizing the call off log and notifies appropriate personnel at each facility.
• Coordinating patient placement activities during the hours of operations.
• Adhering to the policies, procedures, and the guidelines governing patient placement, EMTALA regulations, and admitting and registration procedures.
• Maintains relationships and the ability to negotiate with clinical customers.
• Responsible for ensuring the very best patient/family experience by optimizing all customer interaction. Foster a positive work environment through mutual support and cooperation.
• Facilitates transfers into and within the Excela Health System by telephone coordination between the referring and accepting facilities and initiating referrals and inpatient transfers.
• Accountable for documentation and communication of transfer status.
• Assist with bed assignment as needed
• Ambulance arrangements as directed
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or Higher Level of Education
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

• Sound judgment, problem solving skills, strong oral and written communication skills, ability to follow directions from other team members; works independently assigned duties, ability to multitask
• Strong organizational skills. Proficient keyboard skills.
• Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Medical Terminology.

License, Certification & Clearances

• PA 34 – PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between Excela Health locations.

LEAN

• Actively promotes a Lean work culture by performing team member duties to encourage consistent use of LEAN principles and processes, including continually seeking work process improvements. Recognizes the necessity of taking ownership of one’s own motivation, morale, performance and professional development. Strives for behavior consistent with being committed to Excela’s missions, vision and values.

AAP/EEO

• Excela Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Excela Health to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, non-job related disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected class. Excela Health will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
• Ability to perform the Essential Functions listed on the Physical Conditions and ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Condition chart below.

Work Environment

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.