Major Responsibilities: Admissions and Inpatient Rehabiliation Facility (IRF) specific compliance. 7)Obtains patient financial and insurance information as necessary and obtains approval from payors for admission as needed. Collaborates with the Rehab Medical Director in making recommendations for admission to the inpatient rehabilitation program, in accordance with Medicare guidelines and hospital programmatic considerations and guides decisions/suggests alternative rehabilitation services when the inpatient level of care is not appropriate. 1)Monitors key admission information as directed, including but not limited to, the referral log to track: referral trends, perception of referral sources of the rehab program and services, changes in referral patterns, changes within the identified market, internal and external challenges to the program and areas for improvement. 2)Maintains a current knowledge of all Medicare, state and local regulations and guidelines concerning inpatient rehabilitation. Monitors utilization and keeps clinical team apprised of length of stay relative to the patient’s CMG. 3)Assists in identifying appropriate admission diagnoses and co-morbidities of the potential patients. Completes the pre-admission information and ensures the physician receives necessary medical information for review and discussion of eligibility. Assists in the identification and generation of management reports including clinical and financial performance outcomes. 4)Acts as a clinical liaison between ACMC and external referral sources. 5)Collects information from the patient's medical record for the severity of illness, intensity of services, plan of care, and discharge plan and documents this clinical information in the clinical database of acute rehabilitation patients admitted to the acute, inpatient rehabilitation unit. 6)Works closely with the Medical Director for the Rehab Unit. Responds to all internal and external referrals for admission in a timely manner. Operational Accountability - Supports the admission operational accountability for the patient care unit. 8)Receives and tracks referral information, monitoring efficient accomplishments of referral process and overseeing distribution of referrals to physician. For referrals from outside Advocate Christ Medical Center, obtains and reviews all necessary clinical and financial information, performs onsite clinical assessments if necessary to determine appropriate level of care, discusses assessment information and patient eligibility with physiatrist. 1)Monitors patient bed assignment with charge nurse to accurately coordinate admissions to the unit and ensure medical needs and safety issues are addressed. 2)Collaborates with charge nurse daily to review all available beds, pending discharges, and isolation rooms. 3)Remains aware of patient flow at all times and facilitates admissions and discharges of unit. 4)Assists the unit leadership to monitor productivity on a regular basis in alignment with department budgetary goals 5)Ensures that medical stability issues are resolved prior to admission to inpatient rehab unit. 10)Assist with appeal process and review/evaluate denial letters. 6)Communicates with referral sources regarding status of patient referral. 7)Communicates with patients and their families regarding eligibility for admission. 9)Provides patient financial information to the business office and coordinates with the business office regarding patient eligibility for comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation admission. Completes pre-certification/certification process if required. Obtains Medicare consents upon admission and discharge. Leadership Accountability - Demonstrates clinical leadership for unit 3)Maintains unit and hospital-based competencies 4)Demonstrates the ability to provide assistance in critical situations 1)Brings all conflicts in data to the attention of the team and facilitates a resolution. 2)Assign admissions appropriately to physicians in conjunction with charge nurse. 6)Works with finance, medical records, and IS. 7)Chair admission meetings with admission staff and management staff to ensure efficient operations. 5)Responsible for developing and revising policies and procedures related to admissions. Liaison function with external review agencies to insure compliance with regulations affecting financial reimbursement to the rehabilitation unit. 4)Coordinate RAC activities, including lead of hospital based committee and interdisciplinary action plans/follow up, and responding to internal and external audits. 5)Serves as a staff resource and provides inservices as needed. 1)Keeps abreast of the latest regulatory standards to assure facility compliance with all requirements. 2)Serves as a resource/mentor to associates on the rehabilitation team regarding the IRF-PAI and eRehab data and UR programs. 3)Maintains communication with the Director of Rehabilitation Services, Clinical Manager, and Unit Medical Director regarding issues related to the IRF-PAI, eRehab and UR process. Assists in the development, implementation, and evaluation of an interdisciplinary individualized plan of care. 5)Communicates variances from chart review/observation to department leadership and interdisciplinary team. 1)Evaluates the patient's progress against established outcomes and interventions, and discusses modifications to the nursing plan of care to meet the individual goals of the patient. 2)Gathers data and measures trends that affect quality outcomes, in coordination with Quality Improvement Specialist. Communicates patient care trends and improvement opportunities to unit leadership and staff. 3)Collaborates with team members to develop the plan of care. Communicates revisions to team members. 4)Assesses plan of care to assure care is based on accepted standards and current research (evidence based practice). Responsible for professional growth. 1)Research literature, identify best practices, engage physicians in planning activities. 2)Actively participates in hospital committees, unit meetings, huddles, and projects. 3)Networks with professionals at other health care facilities for clinical standards and innovations. 4)Maintains knowledge of current standards of care via literature review and participation in educational offerings. 5)Attends workshops, seminars, and professional activities to identify future trends in healthcare and opportunities for growth. Licensure: Nurse, Registered (RN) Education/Experience Required: Graduate of an approved school of nursing BSN 5 years of rehabilitation nursing experience Knowledgeable of quality program standards. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: • Strong clinical skills • Ability to communicate effectively and work cohesively with a diverse work group. • Utilize critical thinking and timely decision making. • Basic computer knowledge • Organized • Ability to prioritize work • Independent • Current licensure as RN in Illinois • CPR CRRN Required Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: • Ability to work within a rapid changing environment. • Ability to work collaboratively with internal / external customers. • Ability to demonstrate a commitment to patient-focused care. • Ability to prioritize independently and respond to multiple simultaneous requests. • Ability to work under stressful conditions and in difficult situations, dealing with and resolving conflict • May be exposed to hazardous materials and life-threatening diseases. This requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 04/20/2014. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.