Job Description:
Summary:
The Patient Flow & Transfer Coordinator Team Lead serves in a dual capacity, combining clinical coordination and leadership responsibilities. Under the direction of the CCC Clinical and Non-clinical Managers and/or CCC Supervisor, this role functions as a working clinical coordinator while providing oversight and guidance to the team during assigned shifts.
This role requires a high level of clinical knowledge, operational awareness, and leadership ability to manage patient throughput and transfer across the Ballad Health system. The Team Lead ensures real-time bed management, efficient patient transfers, and optimal staff assignments, acting as a liaison across departments, facilities, and disciplines while maintaining compliance with clinical protocols and EMTALA regulations.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Oversight
- Manage patient transfer and bed management queues, documentation, and staff assignments
- Ensure consistent and accurate execution of workflows related to patient placement and transfers
- Lead during escalated/complex situations, including transfers and high-acuity placements
- Coordinate shift coverage for callouts and provide coverage when necessary
- Foster a positive work environment through teamwork and morale-building
- De-escalate high-stress situations and maintain a calm controlled work environment
- Ensure proper handoff and communication during shift changes
Patient Throughput & Transfer Coordination
- Manage inbound, outbound, and intra-system transfers, including direct admissions
- Prioritize placement of emergent, urgent, and routine patients from hospitals, ERs, urgent care, LTC facilities, and physician offices
- Strategize real-time capacity planning using bed management dashboards and transfer systems
- Act as “Air traffic control” for patient flow across the system to optimize bed utilization and minimize delays
- Monitor patient flow metrics and escalate delays/issues to clinical supervisors or managers
- Collaborate with Medical Control, CCC leadership, and facility leadership
Education & Compliance
- Educate staff on workflow updates, policies, software, and best practices
- Ensure adherence to EMTALA and Ballad Health Code of Ethics and Compliance policies
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives and implement process enhancements
- Complete all required training and demonstrate competence in relevant software systems
- Ensure quality assurance by reviewing and providing oversight for non-clinical operations.
- Required BLS and ACLS if desired
Clinical Communication & Coordination
- Serve as a clinical resource and liaison between physicians, referring facilities, and receiving departments
- Accurately communicate patient condition, acuity, and special needs for appropriate placement
- Triage and relay clinical presentations for physician consults and transfer acceptances
- Maintain real-time data accuracy within electronic health records and transfer/bed management system
Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree preferred, or in lieu of bachelor’s degree, associates with minimum 5 years of clinical experience- Preferred experience in acute care, critical care, patient placement, or transfer center operations
- Strong leadership experience, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities
- Proficiency in clinical software and real-time bed management systems preferred
- Aspiring Leadership Program must be enrolled within first 6 months
Licenses and Certifications:
Active RN license required
Work Requirements:
Shift: Night
On Call: No
Weekends: Rotating
Travel Required: No Travel
Shift Details: 7p-7a
City/State: Johnson City, TN
Location:
Ballad Health Corporate
