8:00AM-4:30 PM, as needed and one weekend obligation, 8:00AM to 4:30 PM every 7 weeks

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

8:00AM-4:30 PM, as needed and one weekend obligation, 8:00AM to 4:30 PM every 7 weeks

The Nurse Case Manager reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Nurse Case Manager assists in coordinating the patient's stay from admission through discharge and assists to expedite medically appropriate, cost-effective care. The Nurse Case Manager helps to ensure patient is at the right level and site of care as the patient moves along the continuum of care in a safe and timely manner.

Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the patient/family, and members of the health care team, assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates the plan of care and the patient's response to treatment. 
• Continually proactive in collaborating and educating physicians and multidisciplinary team in appropriateness of admission, continued stay, utilization of resources and expected LOS. 
• Refers appropriate cases to patient financial services, peer review, patient relations, risk management.
• Collaborates with physicians and other health care team members to clarify admission status and plan of care. 
• Utilizes all available tools and resources to gain better and complete picture of clinical assessment of the patient, and notifies physicians and staff of concerns/variations. 
• Relays pertinent information to appropriate care team members relative to admission, continuum of care and concerns related to discharge.
• Ensures that the interdisciplinary care plan and the discharge plan are comprehensive and consistent with the patient's clinical course, continuing care needs, and coordinated with covered services as available.
• Assesses and reassesses the patient for on-going care needs with knowledge of high-risk criteria and initiates referrals to the appropriate resources in a timely manner to progress toward the discharge plan.
• Participates in rounds and complex patient care conferences as indicated, identifying needs, barriers, and action plans.
• Performs utilization management activities of all inpatients and observation patients by applying approved criteria. Notify physician advisor of any outlier cases.
• Provides timely and thorough reviews to third party payers as requested or required. Experiences minimal denials based on lack of medical necessity.
• Has a good working knowledge base of available and diverse extended care providers for general population served.  Asks co-workers for references for unfamiliar cases.
• Researches patient insurance plans in order to offer in-network providers of care and allow patient to make informed decisions.
• Partners with the nursing staff and physicians to convey accurate and timely information to post-acute care providers to encourage a smooth hand-off and create a seamless and safe discharge to the next continuum of care. 
• Partners with the care delivery team to identify proactively and coordinate any educational needs for the patient and family. 
• Ensures the patient is at the most appropriate level of care for the expressed severity of illness and level of services required. Applies National Guidelines and clear communication with physicians. 
• Collaborates with physicians and other health care team members to clarify admission status and plan of care.
• Coordinates appropriate bed placement for patients with patient care services, collaborating on location, staffing etc.
• Queries the admitting physician for additional information as needed to meet medical necessity for admission or appropriate level of care. Refers cases to physician advisor for any outlier cases.
• Coordinates patient activity and flow or movement between levels of care. Identifies potential throughput barriers and acts proactively to inform and alert upper management of anticipated delays.
• Reviews clinical against Milliman criteria to help determine patient class and level of care needed. Confers with MD to discuss clinical and appropriate level of care when needed.

• Central DuPage Hospital Employee Testimonial :https://youtu.be/TqEULZ0fc9o

Required:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (required for hires after 01/01/2011)
• Registered Nurse in the state of Illinois
• One year of case management experience in an acute hospital setting

Preferred:

• Two years’ experience in utilization review
• Case management certification
• Prior experience in case management or insurance setting.
• Bilingual

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.