Interested in patient care coordinator RN job & need info

Specialties Case Management

Published

Hi. I am an experienced med/surg RN looking into new opportunities outside of floor nursing. I have seen jobs advertised for patient care coordinator RNs at some local hospitals. It seems like a cross between case management and utilization review. Does anyone work as an acute care patient care coordinator? What does it entail? I am thinking it may be a good match for me, but not entirely sure what a typical day is like. If you can give me any tips and or websites to look at that would be great. Also, anyone have pros vs cons for this type of job? Do you like this type of work? I may have a possible job lead, but am not clear exactly as to realities of the role. What is the average day like? How many patients are you responsible for. What type of orientation would you expect for a nurse who is experienced in floor nursing but green in this area? Thanks!

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Specializes in ICU (med/surgical/transplant/neuro/ent).

I am interested in this subject too. I don't have nearly as much bedside experience as the OP, but I am looking at moving on from floor nursing (the physical and mental drain). My first career, before becoming an RN, was as a research assistant. I have been looking for a long time to get into clinical research, but opportunities are few if any in my area. Working in the ICU, our case managers (who are called care coordinators at my hospital) are often on the floor and have sparked my interest in case management.

I have the same questions as the OP. Also, for those that went from floor nursing to case management/care coordinator at an acute care hospital, how was the transition? Were you a case manager/care coordinator at the same hospital you were at floor nurse at. What is your work schedule like? Is it possible to have a regular m-f normal hours position? Do you find yourselves learning more about disease processes, etc? I don't really need to the adrenaline (or irregular scheduling) of critical care, but I do like the intellectual stimulation of that environment.

Any advice/info would be greatly appreciated. :)

BTW, kona have you found out any additional information? How about that job lead you had?

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Hi Thanksforallthefish!

It was interesting to read your similar interest. The job lead I had was snatched up by an "internal" candidate at a competitor hospital. I won't be able to pursue this type of job at my facility, as they are only hiring full time staff, and I seek part time work. I have seen the case manager (patient care coordinator) jobs posted with regular day hours, and a mix of day to pm as well. As a mom of small children, the part time hours would be ideal. Like you, I love the critical thinking of acute care, but am ready to move on to a new role. Good luck to you! I will try & re-post of I find out anything. Likewise, good luck in your job hunt! I am sure with your ICU and research background, you would be a great asset to any case management team.:)

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Specializes in ICU (med/surgical/transplant/neuro/ent).

Thanks! Good Luck to you, too! :)

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Not sure if you are adamant about working in a 'hospital' setting but you might try googling service coordinator for insurance companies Try United Health for example!

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Specializes in cardiac.

I work as a full-time care coordinator on a telemetry unit in a hospital. A previous comment stated that it is a combination of utilization review and case management; that's close, but really it is an integration of the two. I am responsible for the daily chart review of each patient as well as discharge planning. Each patient is reviewed daily to ensure that their stay in the hospital meets insurance (government and private) guidelines for continued stay and to ensure each patient has a safe discharge plan. I implement discharge needs at home such home health or home equipment, also work closely with the social worker to arrange nursing home placements so there are no delays in discharge. The care coordinators at my hospital have between 20 and 24 patients each day. Many hospitals require a BSN for this position, ALL will require acute care experience. This job is part of the business or finance department of the hospital. I was trained for 6 weeks, and it usually takes a good year to become comfortable. There are ALOT of Medicare and insurance rules and regulations and they change often. I was a floor nurse for 20 years before accepting this job at my hospital. Many new people to this dept. think it is easy because it is a "desk" job, but it is NOT! I am busy the entire day, I have to talk with doctors and sometimes convince them that a patient can go home when they don't want to discharge; I try and find equipment and assistance for uninsured patients; I explain to my boss why it IS necessary for some people to have a week-long hospital stay; and all this on salary, not hourly, so I better be VERY organized or I will be there 12 hours a day 5 days a week! This job is interesting and rewarding in a different way from floor nursing, but it is not for everyone!

By the way, did I mention that I love my job? I DO!!

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New grads who have graduated from an entry level master's program specializing in Nurse Case Management can also go straight into a Nurse case management (Patient care coordinator) position without having any RN experience. Although experience is recommended, it is not a must for a master's prepared professional. i havent graduated yet, but from the last cohort who graduated all found jobs as a nurse case manager within the first 3 months. Hopefully I get as lucky as them

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