Nurse Manager, Patient Flow Command Center

Harris Health is the public healthcare safety-net provider established in 1966 to serve the residents of Harris County, Texas. As an essential healthcare system, Harris Health champions better health for the entire community, with a focus on low-income uninsured and underinsured patients, through acute and primary care, wellness, disease management and population health services. Ben Taub Hospital (Level 1 Trauma Center) and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital (Level 3 Trauma Center) anchor Harris Health's robust network of 39 clinics, health centers, specialty locations and virtual (telemedicine) technology. Harris Health is among an elite list of health systems in the U.S. achieving Magnet® nursing excellence designation for its hospitals, the prestigious National Committee for Quality Assurance designation for its patient-centered clinics and health centers and its strong partnership with nationally recognized physician faculty, residents and researchers from Baylor College of Medicine; McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth); and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

At Harris Health, we prioritize the well-being of our most valuable asset--our people--ensuring a culture of compassion, collaboration and excellence in serving Harris County's most in need. With integrity and accountability at our core, we commit to 'leading with love', embodying our dedication to quality care, education, and a steadfast respect for every individual's contribution to our mission.

Job Summary

The Nurse Manager, Patient Flow Command Center (PFCC) provides system wide leadership for patient flow, capacity management, and throughput operations across Harris Health. This role has accountability for the operational, human resource, quality, and financial management of the PFCC, including but not limited to Bed Management, Transfer Center, and matrixed oversight of Operations Dispatch within acute hospital pavilions. The Nurse Manager leads 24/7 operations in direct coordination with EMS and Operations Dispatch teams to ensure the effective utilization of clinical and operational resources to support safe, timely, and appropriate patient movement across all levels of care.
The Nurse Manager provides nursing management leadership for PFCC Supervisors, oversees PFCC Nurses and Coordinators responsible for managing all patient placement, transfers, and capacity across the system. This role partners extensively with nursing leadership, medical staff, emergency services, ancillary departments, and executive leadership to ensure consistent application of patient flow policies, escalation processes, and optimal use of system capacity and resources.
Accountable for operational performance, quality improvement, staff development, and change management related to patient flow and capacity management operations, this position uses data, performance metrics, and operational trends to identify opportunities for improvement, reduce barriers to throughput, and support organizational goals related to access, efficiency, and patient safety.
Working collaboratively with leadership, this manager translates system strategic plans and policies into operational practices tailored to the unique needs of Harris Health.  This manager is responsible for performance outcomes, leads quality and change initiatives, manages multiple projects simultaneously, and serves as the primary nursing management liaison to executive and interdisciplinary leadership regarding patient flow strategy. The PFCC Manager leads implementation and evaluation of strategic plans and provides reports relevant to achievement of goals.  The Nurse Manager ensures all PFCC activities comply with Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), system policies and procedures, regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, executed contracts and the Harris Health Schedule of Benefits as appropriate, and applicable local, state, and federal laws.

As a member of the clinical leadership team, the Nurse Manager fosters a professional, collaborative environment that supports excellence in patient flow and care coordination, establishes a setting that supports professionalism, and empowers staff to provide safe, effective, compassionate and efficient coordination of care and overall patient flow, in collaboration with all health care disciplines. The Nurse Manager ensures compliance with professional standards, regulatory requirements, organizational policies, and is accountable for high standards of integrity, ethical behavior, and evidence-based practice.  The Nurse Manager role models professionalism, integrity and ethical practice, mentors' staff, and promotes evidence-based practice, professional development, and engagement in professional, research, and community activities.

Minimum Qualifications
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Degrees:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing
Master's degree in nursing or related field
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Licenses & Certifications:
Certification Applicable professional certification in administration or clinical specialty is to be completed within two (2) years, if not held at the time of appointment.
Basic Life Support from an American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) approved program
Registered Nurse State of Texas or valid multi-state/compact license

Work Experience:
Seven (7) Years Work Experiencein related clinical area of practice including at least 3 years in a Transfer Center or a Patient Placement/Bed Management department
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Management Experience:
Two (2) Years of Management Experience related management/leadership experience including supervisory or charge nurse
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Communication Skills:
Above Average Verbal Communication (Heavy Public Contact)
Exceptional Verbal (Public Speaking)
Writing/Correspondence
Writing/Reports

Proficiencies:
MS Word
Personal Computer

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Analytical Abilities
Medical Terminology Knowledge
Research Knowledge and Abilities
Statistical Knowledge and Abilities

Work Schedule:
Flexible
Eligible for Telecommute
Travel

Other Requirements:
Knowledge of:
a. EMTALA and other state and federal regulations related to the transfer of patients. b. Knowledge of clinical conditions requiring transfer and related standards of care for transfer i.e. Trauma, STEMI, Stroke, etc.
b.  Payor designation, prior authorization, and methods of reimbursement.
c. Patient placement, bed and capacity management and hospital throughput operations
d. Operations Dispatch processes, such as Guest Transportation, Environmental Services, and Language Access workflows