La Rabida Children’s Hospital provides specialized, family-centered health care to children with medically complex conditions, disabilities, and chronic illness. Through expertise, compassion, and advocacy we help children and their families reach their fullest potential, regardless of their ability to pay.

Our not-for-profit hospital, licensed for 49 beds, helps transition children from neonatal or pediatric intensive care to home, by providing medical, rehabilitative and developmental care, and by training families to continue treatments and manage the necessary equipment in the home. La Rabida also provides extensive rehabilitation for those recovering from wounds or burns and treatment for exacerbations of chronic conditions.

The hospital’s enhanced pediatric patient-centered medical home provides primary care to children with complex medical conditions and their siblings. Children with medical homes elsewhere come to La Rabida for specialty services. La Rabida offers a wide range of specialty services provided to children with sickle cell disease, diabetes, and many others. Children are supported in their emotional and developmental growth, particularly in cases where such growth has been interrupted by accident or disease.

Finally, La Rabida provides forensic and treatment services for children exposed to abuse and neglect, comprehensive assessments for wards of the state, early intervention for children between 0 and 3 years of age. Care coordination services for medically complex children are also provided for those who are covered by a health plan and receive care from providers in Cook County

SUMMARY: The Case Manager is a nurse who is responsible for working with an identified group of patients and families in coordinating their on-going health care plan. The patient population for each Case Manager is determined by a number of factors, including the clinical expertise of the Case Manager and the complexity of the patient and family needs. The Case Manager takes an active role in coordinating care, including collaborating with the family and health care team to create a plan of care, communicate the plan to all involved, monitor the progress of the patients toward established goals and modifying the plan as necessary. The Case Manager uses critical thinking skills to problem solve and may provide leadership, support and guidance to other staff members in their area of expertise.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Approximately 80% of time is spent in patient care related activities, 20% in other nursing activities.

1. Utilizes knowledge, skill and expertise in pediatrics and/or a specialty to coordinate the care of pediatric patients throughout the healthcare continuum. May evaluate patients prior to admission to determine appropriateness of patients for services provided at La Rabida.

2. Collaborates with the family, (patient, if appropriate) and the La Rabida or external healthcare team to develop a comprehensive plan of care based on a systematic assessment of the physiological, psychosocial and developmental needs of the patient and family.

3. Creates, with the family and team, an individualized patient/family education plan and ensures that education is completed appropriately.

4. Evaluates and modifies plans of care as needed. May provide on-going follow up between hospitalizations/clinic visits. Monitors patient progress toward established goals.

5. Acts as hospital liaison for families and external agencies and individuals providing services to specific families. Assists with completion of plans of treatment, prescriptions, school forms and other similar documents as needed and with the approval of the medical provider.

6. Consults on patient care issues in areas of expertise. Functions as a resource to the La Rabida nursing staff as well as members of the community. May perform specific clinical assessments or procedures for patients if trained and competent to do so.

7. Develops and maintains data systems to track patient outcomes.

8. Provides clinical leadership through membership and/or leadership in professional organizations, La Rabida committees, and professional presentations and/or publications.

9. Participates in or leads quality improvement activities.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

Performs other duties as assigned. Travel may be required to make site visits to area facilities and/or home visits, depending on population of patients.

Employees are required to maintain automobile insurance if the position requires travel in relationship to La Rabida related business. La Rabida strongly recommends that the employee maintain the following liability limits: Automobile liability: $100,000 per person, per accident; Bodily injury: $300,000 aggregate per accident; Property damage: $50,000 per accident; Automobile medical payments: $1000 per person.

Education: Graduate of an approved school of professional nursing. BSN required, MSN preferred

Related Work Experience: Three years experience in pediatric nursing required;

experience in Case Management or a clinical specialty desirable

Licensure/Certification: Current Illinois Professional Nursing Licensure; APN license if appropriate. Certification in Pediatric Nursing, Case Management or specialty preferred.

Specialized Knowledge and Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated knowledge and expertise in pediatrics and any specialty areas, as well as family education; Active membership in appropriate professional organizations; Ability to speak Spanish desirable.

CPR required: Only certifications issued by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross will be accepted.

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

La Rabida is a place unlike any other. We understand the needs of families with children dealing with the most serious or complicated of conditions. With teams of the best healthcare providers in Chicago, we give continuous, comprehensive care, education, and support, helping families face their unique obstacles head-on.   

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.