Director of Care Management and Patient Placement Center

Summary:

The Director is accountable for the implementation of the case management program for Hospital Galveston as well as the Patient Placement Center. Provides leadership and direction for the department, ensuring that the mission, goals and operations of Hospital Galveston are provided in a timely, accurate, creative and cost effective manner. Jointly accountable with healthcare leaders throughout the enterprise of Correctional Managed Care and Hospital Galveston for achieving the mission of Hospital Galveston.  The components and roles of the case management program consist of the following: patient throughput, care facilitation, case management, and discharge planning.  The components and roles of the patient placement center will be to coordinate timely and efficient bed assignments and transfer of patients from referring facilities to appropriate levels of care within the hospital. 

Scope: Care Management (Inpatient, Outpatient and Holdover) and Patient Placement Center for Hospital Galveston. 

Responsibilities:

• Establishes, implements, and evaluates a written strategic plan for the department that takes into account internal and external factors.

• Plans, directs and supervises all aspects of the case management program and patient placement center.  

• Facilitates growth and development of the case management program and patient placement center consistent with enterprise-wide philosophy and in response to the dynamic nature of the healthcare environment through benchmarking for best practices, networking, quality management, and other activities as needed.

• Responsible for 24/7 operations including staffing, quality assurance, compliance, data analytics and reporting, financial management and ensuring operations function in a manager that complies with standards of practice.  

• Responsible for developing and leading a high-performance team of “system thinkers” who incorporate leadership principles and vision in performing the functions of case management.

• Responsible for departmental personnel functions, e.g., coaching, disciplinary action, hiring, on-boarding, and performance management, including performance reviews for staff in the department.

• Establishes, manages, and constantly evaluates staffing levels, assignments, skills, learning needs, deployment and professional development of staff.

• Creates stable and reliable processes to anticipate and address specific situations within the department and between the department and other departments and agencies.

• Responsible for developing and managing the department’s approved operational budget.

• Participates in the determination and definition of the Care Management Dashboard, using data to better understand strengths and weaknesses of the hospital and department, and to determine needs, decisions, and strategies.

• Responsible for identifying and achieving optimal targeted financial outcomes via the inpatient case management process.

• Uses data to drive decisions, plan, and implement performance improvement strategies for care management.

• Partners with the Physician Advisor(s) for effective relationships with physicians, services, specialties, etc.

• Develops structures and processes to facilitate participation by physicians, physical therapists, clergy, social work, and other health professionals in multidisciplinary care planning, care delivery, and discharge planning.

• Responsible for overseeing the education of physicians, managers, staff, and patients related to the case management process. Participates in this evolutionary process by constantly identifying future needs of Hospital Galveston.

• Provides consultation to the executive team, forming effective relationships with all department heads.

• Identifies appropriate internal controls for department, interacts with appropriate institutional personnel and provides mechanisms to monitor and enforce compliance with standards and regulations.

• Works with service-wide leadership to interpret policies and operational procedures, resolving problems related to staffing, and utilization of facilities, equipment and supplies, as required.

• Acts as a liaison to facilitate communication and collaboration between all providers and caregivers, e.g., physicians, hospitalists, community care managers, nurses, patient care facilitators, community resources, etc.

• Represents UTMB in its relationships with other health organizations, professional organizations, government and accrediting agencies.

• Maintains professional affiliations and enhances professional development to keep current in the latest healthcare trends and developments.

• Implements initiatives to optimize patient flow and enhance the overall patient experience.

• Tracks and reports trends of inappropriate transfer to the Chief Medical Office/Chief Physician Executive.  

• Coordinates special projects and participates on interdisciplinary committees and task forces as assigned.

• Performs related duties as required.
   

Minimum Qualifications:

• RN with a Master's Degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration or related field plus seven (7) years of relevant experience. 

• Holds current licensure as a registered nurse in the state of Texas. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Certification in Case Management is desirable.
• Working knowledge of managed care, inpatient, outpatient, and post-acute care continuum, and case management.
• Working knowledge of the concepts associated with performance improvement.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Ability to:

• Assume responsibility and exercise authority over departmental management and staff
• Promotes a positive work environment, holds employees accountable for their conduct, interpersonal skills and encourages staff development of communication skills
• Promotes a culture of service excellence and quality by implementing and accepting accountability for the following service standards:
  • Providing excellent service to patients/customers
  • Building a strong relationship and team cohesiveness
  • Focusing on quality and positive solutions
  • Communicating respectfully
  • Demonstrating compassion and understanding in response to patient
  • Customer request/needs
• Organize and integrate organizational priorities and deadlines
• Communicate and collaborate with staff, regulatory agencies and government officials, and the public
• Analyze and prepare comprehensive reports
• Ensure that staff members adhere to established protocols and procedures
• Manage change and direct the problem-solving process

Skill in:

• Exercising a high degree of initiative, judgment, discretion and decision-making to achieve institutional and departmental missions
• Exercising judgment and discretion in developing, applying, interpreting and coordinating departmental policies and procedures
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with all levels of institutional personnel including: directors, managers, physicians, employees, patients, and the public
• Analyzing situations accurately and taking effective action
• Organizing work, delegating and achieving goals and objectives

Knowledge of:

• Organization, purposes and policies of the institution and department, sufficient to interact with health care providers and personnel
• Principles and practices of employee development, sufficient to ensure organizational productivity
• Healthcare reform and managed care issues