At Houston Methodist, the Transport Coordinator position is responsible for coordinating transport services, which may include but not limited to, transport requests for patients, visitors, objects, ambulance service, rideshare service, specimens, morgue, and/or medications. The position is responsible for staff scheduling, hospital sector assignments, the successful deployment of personnel and efficiency of the department to support clinical operations and throughput. The Transport Coordinator position, in addition to performing the functions outlined in the Transporter and the Lead Transporter job descriptions, is distinguished by exercising a greater degree of independent judgement, analysis, hospital operations, throughput and patient movement logistics, in addition to understanding medical transportation operations outside of the hospital setting. This position serves as a role model to team members and supports the interprofessional team in delivering high quality patient care during transit, moving inpatients and outpatients to diagnostic testing and therapeutic areas, clinics, physician's offices, admissions, and discharges throughout the complex. The Transport Coordinator position serves as the liaison between management, hospital management, staff and physicians for routine matters as the primary point of contact for resolving basic questions and issues, resulting in the delivery of exceptional patient care and adherence to standards of practice for optimal patient safety, quality outcomes, and customer service.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Communication with internal and external stakeholders, such as medical transportation personnel, Nursing, Imaging and other departments about any delays and to notify personnel of patient transport which includes reviewing transport appropriateness and understanding for clarification of handoff, checks patient identification using two-step verification, prepares patient for transport identifying IV bags, Foley catheters, or infusion pumps, etc., needing special handling, to promote both work efforts and problem resolution which is clear and professional. Uses appropriate communication device to limit conversations to ensure HIPAA compliance. Role models effective communication skills, assisting in team members' development of such skills.

• Effectively supports Management to implement protocols and objectives with team members to result in optimization of performance, teamwork, patient safety, and customer service. Interacts positively and effectively with patients and guests, as well as internal customers. Serves as a team resource for customer service decisions for problem-solving, setting/communicating trip delays, canceling and recalling assignments. Handles basic issues as they pertain to the department, and acts as liaison in the absence of Management.

• Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging co-workers in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives. Participates in the training, education and development of the team, supporting members of management to achieve optimal department outcomes. Actively participates in making recommendations for improving working relationships in the department and with each nursing unit. Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Monitors and maintains adequate supply of transport equipment in lobbies and equipment rooms, as appropriate. Clears equipment left on floors, in hallways and unauthorized areas by moving them to designated equipment storage areas or reporting the equipment to the dispatcher, as appropriate.

• Properly disposes of soiled linen on department and/or nursing unit and removes other items left on equipment such as urinals, bedpans, emesis basins, etc. Removes some equipment no longer needed for the patient care from the transport equipment and places it in the soiled utility room, as appropriate.

• Drives improving department scores for patient satisfaction/experience on unit-based scorecard through peer-to-peer accountability, providing timely transports, ensuring belongings are appropriately transported with patient and remain with the patient.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reports observations, conditions, and problems of patients to licensed personnel to achieve desired patient outcomes. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.

• Transports and stores oxygen tanks in approved holders. In collaboration with clinical staff as appropriate, ensures that oxygen cylinders selected are appropriate for use to reflect the current airflow status. Completes patient handoff when returning to department.

• Disinfects equipment before and after each use, allowing sufficient time for the disinfectant to dry thoroughly. Operates all transport equipment in a safe manner. Tags equipment needing extensive repairs, takes damaged equipment out of service and delivers appropriately for repair.

• Reports any potential harm or conflicting information to management for input in document reporting system. Leads initiatives to prevent conditions such as pressure injuries, patient falls, and hospital-acquired infections. Assists management with improvement of department quality and safety scores, through peer-to-peer accountability.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies.

• Prioritizes department daily tasks and independently manages time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime.

• Assists management with strategic staff scheduling in coordination to reduce department overtime and ensure adequate coverage. Meets labor productivity standards by effectively handling established daily responsibilities and assignments.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement hospital projects and activities. Contributes ideas towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of department processes.

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development. Participates in continuing education and in-service programs. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis, including the development of advanced skills.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Five years hospitality or industry operation with three years progressive lead experience; may consider HM employee with four years in Patient Transportation/PCA role with two years demonstrating progressive informal leadership experience

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Knowledge of patient handling/transfer

• Ability to delegate tasks to co-workers to complete daily assignments

• Ability to make decisions based on relevant information

• Knowledge of computers, word processing and spreadsheet software

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist West Hospital is committed to leading medicine in West Houston, Katy and surrounding communities by delivering the Houston Methodist standard of exceptional safety, quality, personalized service and innovation. The growing campus offers more than 200 beds, 19 operating rooms and over 1,500 employees, with access to the most innovative medical and surgical care available, including robotic and minimally invasive surgery, full-spectrum heart care, state-of-the-art imaging, cancer care, labor and delivery with a level II neonatal ICU, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, outpatient rehabilitation and 24/7 emergency services.