RN Case Manager
Oakland, California
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - Case Manager (Travel/Contract)

Location: Oakland, California
Contract Length: 13 weeks (approximately 3 months)
Employment Type: Travel/Contract

Job Summary

Seeking an experienced Registered Nurse Case Manager to coordinate care and manage transitions for acute care patients. The role involves collaboration with physicians, utilization managers, social workers, and nursing staff to ensure timely and appropriate patient care transitions, prevent unnecessary admissions/readmissions, and optimize resource utilization.

Work Schedule

• 5/8s (five 8-hour shifts per week)
• Every other weekend

Required Certifications

• California RN License
• Basic Life Support (BLS)

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 5+ years of RN Case Management experience (highest required years of experience)

Key Responsibilities

Patient Assessment & Care Coordination

• Conduct initial and ongoing patient assessments including medical, psychosocial, and financial factors.
• Determine risk levels for readmission and screen for ancillary services (e.g., palliative care).
• Lead healthcare team in developing cost-effective care coordination plans.
• Identify and report quality and risk management concerns.
• Supervise Case Management Assistants in post-acute care service planning.

Utilization Management

• Review medical records to ensure patients meet level of care (LOC) requirements.
• Collaborate with physicians to confirm documentation supporting LOC.
• Expedite transition planning for patients no longer requiring acute care.
• Monitor length of stay and manage outliers.
• Ensure compliance with Medicare Important Message delivery timelines.
• Participate in patient rounds and interdisciplinary team collaboration.
• Maintain documentation in electronic health records (EHR).
• Stay current with CMS, Joint Commission, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage observation patients and collaborate on admission/transition decisions.

Care Transitions

• Develop and communicate transition plans with patients, families, physicians, payers, and community resources.
• Screen for 30-day readmissions and adjust care plans accordingly.
• Identify and resolve barriers to care progression.
• Ensure timely transitions to lower levels of care and follow-up appointments.
• Complete necessary paperwork for post-acute transfers in compliance with regulations.
• Identify high utilizers in the Emergency Department and coordinate appropriate referrals.
• Address complex psychosocial issues and social determinants of health.
• Collaborate with financial counselors regarding uninsured or underinsured patients.

Department Operations & Communication

• Participate actively in department meetings and operations.
• Identify and implement process improvements.
• Maintain professional relationships with healthcare teams and community agencies.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and respect in all interactions.
• Provide and accept constructive feedback to promote team effectiveness.

Background and Compliance Requirements

• 7-year background check including SSN trace, county searches, sex offender search, education verification, and FACIS Level 3 screening.
• Annual updates required for EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG, and FACIS screenings.
• Drug screening (9-panel, excluding marijuana due to CA law) within 6 months of start.
• Physical exam within 1 year of start.
• Fit mask test within 1 year, renewed annually (with accommodations for religious exemptions).
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within 10 years)
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
  • Hepatitis B series or declination
  • Varicella
  • Seasonal flu vaccination during flu season (Nov-April)
• Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 90 days, with annual renewal.
• Respiratory safety clearance prior to start, renewed annually.
• Completion of facility-specific documents including job description review, standards of business conduct, confidentiality agreements, and regulatory orientations.

Additional Requirements

• Full 7 years of work history documented with no gaps.
• Unit-specific skills checklist, renewed annually.
• Employment verification for up to 7 years.
• References: 2 professional references required for clinical positions.

Prior Travel Experience

• No explicit requirement for prior travel experience mentioned.

This position is ideal for an experienced RN Case Manager with strong skills in care coordination, utilization management, and interdisciplinary collaboration, seeking a travel contract in California.