Position Summary
The Flow Coordinator Nurse plays a vital role in ensuring the efficient flow of clients through the Behavioral Health Crisis Center. This position is primarily responsible for conducting nursing assessments in the Crisis Walk-In area, assisting with staffing clients alongside licensed clinicians and nurse practitioners, and ensuring timely client intake, assessment, and transfer to appropriate areas of the program. The Flow Coordinator Nurse also provides support for managing aggressive clients and collaborates closely with the interdisciplinary team to ensure high-quality patient care and safety.
Key Responsibilities
Client Flow Management & Assessment:
- Conduct Nursing Assessments: Complete thorough nursing assessments for clients in the Crisis Walk-In area to evaluate their medical and mental health needs.
- Ensure Timely Client Intake: Oversee the rapid intake and assessment of clients, ensuring minimal wait times and efficient transitions to appropriate care areas.
- Coordinate Client Transfers: Work with the interdisciplinary team to ensure smooth transfers of clients to other areas of the program, such as inpatient units, outpatient care, or community referrals, based on their needs.
- Collaborate with Clinicians and Nurse Practitioners: Assist licensed clinicians and nurse practitioners in staffing and coordinating the care of clients in crisis, ensuring the right interventions are implemented quickly.
Crisis Intervention & Management
- Assist with Aggressive Clients: Respond to situations involving aggressive or agitated clients, using de-escalation techniques to maintain a safe environment for both clients and staff.
- Provide Immediate Care: In cases of emergency or medical needs, provide immediate nursing care or direct clients to appropriate medical intervention.
- Monitor Safety and Comfort: Ensure that clients are monitored for safety during intake, and provide a supportive and calm environment to mitigate potential escalation.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Collaborate with the Care Team: Work closely with the interdisciplinary team, including nurses, nurse practitioners, clinicians, and other staff, to develop and implement effective care plans for clients.
- Support Case Coordination: Participate in treatment discussions to ensure that clients’ needs are met and that interventions are aligned with the overall care plan.
- Facilitate Communication: Act as a liaison between clients and the care team, ensuring that all relevant information is communicated and that each team member has the necessary updates on client status and care needs.
Staff Coordination & Support
- Provide Staffing Support: Assist with staff coordination to ensure adequate coverage in the Crisis Walk-In area, and support the nurse practitioners with clinical and operational tasks during high-demand periods.
- Address Staffing Needs: Work with the Nurse Manager to address staffing concerns and ensure that the CWI is appropriately staffed to handle client volume and acuity.
Documentation & Compliance
- Document Client Interactions: Maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation of all client interactions, nursing assessments, and interventions as required by policy and procedure.
- Ensure Compliance: Ensure that all care and services provided are compliant with agency policies, state regulations, and best practices in behavioral health crisis management.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Registered Nurse (RN) License: Must hold a current and valid Registered Nurse license.
- Experience in Crisis Management: Experience working in a behavioral health or crisis intervention setting preferred.
- Strong Clinical Assessment Skills: Ability to perform thorough nursing assessments and identify medical and mental health needs.
- De-Escalation Techniques: Proficiency in managing aggressive behavior and utilizing de-escalation strategies effectively.
- Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration: Experience working in a multidisciplinary healthcare setting, collaborating effectively with clinicians, nurse practitioners, and other staff.
- Knowledge of Behavioral Health Conditions: Familiarity with common mental health diagnoses and behavioral health crisis management techniques.
- Strong Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration and documentation.
- Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Ability to think critically and act quickly in high-pressure situations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN): Preferred, though not required.
- Crisis Intervention Certification: Preferred, such as CPI or other de-escalation training.
- Experience in Behavioral Health Crisis Centers: Knowledge or experience working in a similar crisis care environment is a plus.
- Previous Experience in Nurse Coordination: Experience managing client flow, scheduling, or coordinating nursing teams is beneficial.
