Rehabilitation Liaison - Surgery & Rehab Hospital

Full Time (80 hours biweekly)

Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30 pm.  
Weekends and holidays rotation 

General Summary

Performs activities and duties related to the education of the patient and referral source regarding services along the rehabilitation continuum. Completes and documents thorough preadmission assessments of patients to determine and recommend the most appropriate post-acute care setting to meet the patient's needs for maximizing independence and health and to support the seamless of transition of patients along the continuum.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Collaborates with physicians, therapists, case managers and others in the early identification of potential candidates for inpatient rehabilitation. Establishes rapport and trust with all. Communicates clearly and follows up on open issues in a timely manner.
• Manages referral volume and completes an assessment of all patients referred within one business day.
• Actively participates in the development and delivery of education to the patient, family members, referral sources and external payers regarding the effective and efficient utilization of program service and available resources as well as the benefit of physical rehabilitation for patients referred or potential referrals.
• Applies clinical evaluation skills and knowledge of rehabilitation services, programs and benefits in the completion of a thorough preadmission assessment to establish medical necessity, readiness for program participation and need for inpatient level rehabilitation services. Assessment includes chart review, clinical physical assessment and interaction with the physician, nurses and therapists directly involved in the patient’s care.
• Includes an interview with family members and/or significant others in the evaluation of patients for admission to obtain accurate information relative to premorbid functional status, personal interests, cultural considerations and discharge plans affecting the rehabilitation admission.
• Collaborates with the WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital medical director or assigned physician to confirm appropriateness of inpatient setting for those patients recommended for admission. Ensures that this approval is always obtained prior to patient admission to the WSRH.
• Recommends other care options, as indicated, in the event patients are not recommended for admission to the WSRH for inpatient rehabilitation.
• Serves as a rehabilitation consultant to inpatient acute care providers with attention to rehabilitation potential, therapy progress, discharge plan and feasibility, and special equipment needs to facilitate a seamless transition and hand off of care from one level to the other. Provides regular feedback to acute care providers relative to patient progress and outcomes.
• Maintains a thorough and current knowledge of the WellSpan Rehabilitation facilities, products, service and regulatory requirements.
• Participates in the insurance authorization process as needed. Provides clinical information and works to establish the most cost-effective plans for rehabilitation that will meet the patient’s need. Supports physician to physician negotiation when called for. Assertively advocates for the patient.

Common Expectations:

• Exercises sound judgment and works effectively under pressure.
• Accepts and utilizes administrative direction and consultation.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient and organizational information.
• Acquires and utilizes knowledge of community resources.
• Elicits feedback from appropriate sources regarding the quality of services provided.
• Enhances professional growth and development through advanced/continuing education to maintain up-to-date knowledge, skills, and competencies.
• Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.
• Facilitates facility tours, participates in marketing activities, shares ideas openly regarding referral development.

Benefits Offered:

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Retirement savings plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Education assistance
• Financial education and support, including DailyPay
• Expanded Paid Parental Leave

For additional details: Benefits & Incentives | WellSpan Careers (joinwellspan.org)

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

• Associates Degree Required

Work Experience:

• 3 years Relevant experience with a minimum 2 years in a rehabilitation hospital setting. Required and
• Rehabilitation Therapy, Nursing, or Respiratory Therapy experience. Required

Licenses:

• Licensed Registered Nurse Upon Hire Required or
• Registered Nurse Multi State License Upon Hire Required or
• Licensed Physical Therapist Upon Hire Required or
• Licensed Occupational Therapist Upon Hire Required or
• Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist Upon Hire Required or
• Registered Respiratory Therapist - NBRC Upon Hire Required and
• Basic Life Support Upon Hire Required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills, outstanding clinical judgment and critical thinking required.
• Must be self directed, good task manager, and have skills in electronic device navigation.
• Ability to navigate an electronic health record efficiently is necessary.