Utilization Review Nurse RN

Division:Eskenazi Health   Sub-Division: Hospital   Req ID:  26738    Schedule: Full Time  Shift: Days    Eskenazi Health serves as the public hospital division of the Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County. Physicians provide a comprehensive range of primary and specialty care services at the 327-bed hospital and outpatient facilities both on and off of the Eskenazi Health downtown campus as well as at 10 Eskenazi Health Center sites located throughout Indianapolis.  FLSA Status Exempt #EXPRNJob Role Summary The Utilization Review Nurse works behind the scenes to maximize the quality and cost efficiency of health care services. Through regular reviews and audits, ensures that patients receive the care they need without burdening the health care system with unnecessary procedures, ineffective treatments or overlong hospital stays. This position is responsible for ensuring the provision of quality patient care, effective utilization of available health services, review of medical necessity of admissions, and necessity for continued stay in hospital; analyzes patient records to ensure compliance with government and insurance company reimbursement policies and accrediting standards.Essential Functions and Responsibilities Work behind the scenes to maximize the quality and cost efficiency of health care services. Through regular reviews and audits, ensure that patients receive the care they need without burdening the health care system with unnecessary procedures, ineffective treatments or overlong hospital staysCommunicates secondary review decisions determining appropriate patient status provided by secondary reviewer processEnsuring the provision of quality patient care, effective utilization of available health services, review of medical necessity of admissions, and necessity for continued stay in hospital; analyzes patient records to ensure compliance with government and insurance company reimbursement policies and accrediting standardsResponsible for managing each patient's plan of care, monitoring for appropriate resource utilization, and collaborating with the inpatient team as well as outpatient providers to coordinate the patient's transition plan of care Serves as a patient advocate, ensuring that efficient health care is provided. The role is to provide primary nurse support through all aspects of utilization management across the continuum of care and is not limited to the initial review processAssesses degree of medical necessity for any patient seen in the Emergency Department and perform Utilization Review using the Eskenazi Health approved clinical decision support criteriaReviews patients' admissions for appropriateness and type. Refers case to Medical Director and/or Department leadership for review when case fails to meet admission standardsCoordinates the most accurate and appropriate patient status for care Identifies strategies to reduce the length of stay and resource consumption within the appropriate length of stayAssesses patient's health status through collection of information from EMR, interview any other relevant sources to collect specific information in an attempt to provide the necessary determination for patient's status for appropriate medical regimenTrack readmissions and Emergency Department visits for patients assignedCompletes an admission review even when the patient under assessment has been relocated to an admitted or observation bedCollaborates with Emergency Physicians and Attending Physicians to ensure that patients meet criteria for Admission, Placement on Observation Status or neitherOversees the initial admission review, utilizing criteria, within 24-48 hours of the patient's admission to the hospital to ensure appropriateness of the assigned level of care and timely implementation of the treatment plan Applies appropriate clinical criteria to complete initial reviews within 24-48 hours of patient presentationCommunicate with the Inpatient Case Manager to ensure appropriate status and level of care for patient, and that transition plan is implemented with determined goals in mindCommunicates with Payor Specialist for UR/UM to ensure proper status change and accurate billing practicesEvaluatesthe active funding for each patient and communicates with Inpatient Case Manager/Social Worker to facilitate initiation of appropriate funding applicationsDemonstrates knowledge of levels of care of Inpatient and Outpatient statusEnsures that transitions to post-acute services such as Acute Rehabilitation Centers is appropriate and streamlined, and home care services, as well as durable medical equipment is appropriately utilizedEnsure the need for any services not provided at Eskenazi Health is evaluated and appropriate authorization is given and documentedJob Requirements Current Indiana nursing license requiredMinimum of 4 years clinical nursing experience requiredKnowledge, Skills & Abilities Must demonstrate knowledge of the Utilization Management managed care processesCompetency in the following areas required: interpersonal, written/verbal communication, and negotiation skills diplomacy, flexibility, and professionalism cohesive networking with the Interdisciplinary Team    Accredited by The Joint Commission and named one of the nation’s 150 best places to work by Becker’s Hospital Review for four consecutive years and Forbes list of best places to work for women, and Forbes list of America’s best midsize employers’ Eskenazi Health’s programs have received national recognition while also offering new health care opportunities to the local community. As the sponsoring hospital for Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services, the city’s primary EMS provider, Eskenazi Health is also home to the first adult Level I trauma center in Indiana, the first verified adult burn center in Indiana, the first community mental health center in Indiana and the Eskenazi Health Center Primary Care – Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, just to name a few.