Support Services Specialist
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Department of Nursing is seeking a Support Services Specialist to facilitate the flow of services and communication between patients, visitors and staff in the Crisis Stabilization Unit. Primary responsibilities include locating available inpatient psychiatric beds throughout the state of Iowa to which patients may be transferred and other non-inpatient facilities to which patients can be discharged.
Characteristic Duties of our Support Services Specialists include but are not limited to:
- Facilitate locating inpatient psychiatric beds by calling facilities throughout the state to see if/where beds are available.
- Contacting shelters or other facilities (non-inpatient) to see if beds are available and assisting with discharge planning.
- Coordinate patient transfers to outside facilities including coordinate communication between nurses and providers to obtain releases of information and documentation associated with the transfer and arrange transportation for transfers if necessary.
- Identify patient information in EPIC and provide to hospitals who may take patients. Compiling patient information to complete templates for transfers and respond to questions from hospitals/agencies when needed.
- Provide support to social workers on the unit.
- Coordinate follow up appointment scheduling
- Conduct follow-up phone calls with discharged patients.
- Coordinate and provide liaison and referral services to hospital resources and community agencies in assessment and service to patients.
- Demonstrate knowledge of hospital and community resources for age‑ and diagnosis‑related issues.
- Communicate with resources and agencies regarding patient status and progress.
- Collaborate and communicate with health care providers from external agencies to assist the facilitation of a smooth transfer to and from the hospital setting.
- Foster staff individual accountability for continuous improvement in performance while supporting a collegial multidisciplinary environment for creative problem solving.
- Establish rapport with patients and/or families.
- Communicate with patients and families regarding patient transfers and discharges.
- Write reports covering services provided and plans made, for inclusion in patients’ medical records (brief notes, progress notes, discharge summary) as appropriate.
- Complete statistical reports as requested.
- Document relevant information in concise and clear manner.
- Collaborate with Crisis Stabilization Unit staff and providers to facilitate patient placement in appropriate facilities.
- Establish professional relationships with staff in other psychiatric facilities.
- Act as a resource for the team
- Provide input to the development and review of CSU procedures and processes.
- Delegate and follow-up with clerical staff regarding tasks such as faxing patient documentation to outside facilities.
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics—recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States—is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.®
Percent of Time: 100%
Schedule: 40 hours per week, day shifts, Monday through Friday work week
Location: Crisis Stabilization Unit
Rotations: Weekends off
Benefits Highlights:
- Regular salaried position located in Iowa City, Iowa
- Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans
- The University of Iowa offers a generous benefits package, including 24 days paid vacation per year to start and paid sick leave.
Education Required
- A Bachelor's degree in a health science discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Experience Requirements
- A minimum of 6 months – 1 year experience working in a mental health setting.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
- Exceptional customer service skills are required
- Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment is required.
- Previous experience establishing professional relationships with care providers
Desirable Qualifications
- Previous experience with coordination of care, including, but not limited to: follow up appointments, transportation, and organizing care with outside organizations is desired.
- Prefer previous work experience in nursing or social work.
- Background in nursing or social work is preferred
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.
Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal background check. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preference, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.