Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

The EMS Transport Coordinator ensures compliance with medical necessity and EMS billing standards, facilitates the transport of patients out of the hospital for discharge or transfer in compliance with HackensackUMC protocols, policies and procedures, and in support of Length of Stay initiatives for Hackensack University Medical Center.

A day in the life of a EMS Transport Coordinator at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Coordinates daily discharge schedule with MICCOM and capacity management, case management, and social services. Facilitates prioritizing discharges to assist with decompression of the emergency department.
• Is knowledgeable in and understands federal and state regulations, as well as HMH and hospital- specific policies as they relate to patient transportation.
• Reviews discharge/transfer paperwork to ensure it is complete and meets all applicable hospital, state, federal and regulatory requirements. Escalates any discrepancies and works with the patient's care team for resolution.
• Verifies that the patient meets medical necessity for the transport modality chosen by completing an EMT-level assessment in conjunction with validation of medical necessity documentation. Assist with resolving any discrepancies.
• Verifies the destination location to avoid discharge or transport to an incorrect facility or location.
• Ensures appropriate resources for safe discharge of patients including but not limited to additional providers needed for a lift assist, appropriate moving devices for the number of stairs at a patient's residence, medical devices in place and patient belongings.
• Proactively identifies barriers to discharge and escalates them for resolution to the appropriate leaders. Seeks support through the EMS chain of command as needed.
• Uses AIDET in all interactions with patients, visitors, staff and colleagues.
• Assist with preparing the patient for transport, including assembling patient valuables, chart copies and relevant documents.
• Compiles relevant patient information to facilitate EMS handoff, to reduce delays in patient discharge.
• Facilitates communication between the hospital unit and any relevant transport resources (e.g. MICCOM, clinical leadership, clinical teams, etc.).
• Confirms with MICCOM when the patient is ready for transport.
• Communicates with Bed Placement when the patient vacates the bed.
• Documents and reports all unusual events, incidents and occurrences in accordance with HMH policy and department-specific procedures.
• Interacts professionally with partners, patients, HackensackUMC management, colleagues from other agencies, public safety personnel, and hospital staff.
• Cooperates and assists with the comprehensive quality assurance program utilized by HackensackUMC to evaluate the overall quality of care given, to document trends, to resolve problems and to monitor patient outcomes.
• Reviews EMS documentation in emsCharts to ensure demographic and insurance information is correct.
• Reviews EMS documentation in emsCharts to ensure regulatory forms are attached to the chart to ensure timely billing submission.
• Reviews the HL-7 Import Log to ensure EMS documentation in emsCharts is present in the patient's Epic medical record.
• Communicates with EMS leadership, MICCOM, capacity management and emergency preparedness in the event of an internal or external disaster. Supports transportation and evacuation activities as directed.
• Is able to perform the role of Emergency Medical Technician, including maintaining all training, education, certification, and competency demonstration required for the EMT job description.
• Responsible for baseline and continuing knowledge of HackensackUMC's policies and procedures, and all applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations concerning emergency medical services, EMT certification, etc.
• Conducts self in a professional and dignified manner at all times, so as to preserve the public's perception of HackensackUMC as New Jersey's leading healthcare provider.
• The EMS Transport Coordinator must be physically capable of safely:
  • a. Lifting a fully loaded ambulance stretcher (stretcher/patient/equipment/supplies) weighing at least three hundred and fifty (350) pounds from ground level to ambulance patient compartment level, holding at that height for a minimum of sixty (60) seconds, and then safely and gently placing the stretcher in ambulance (and the reverse, lowering the stretcher to the ground,) with the assistance of one partner of equal strength and agility.
  • Carrying half of the required EMS equipment (approximately 50 lbs.) from the vehicle to the patient (distances of up to mile in certain circumstances) without assistance.
  • Walking extended distances without difficulty, without rest, while carrying heavy equipment, i.e. transferring a patient from an ambulance to a hospital emergency department or inpatient unit.
  • Hearing faint noises with the aid of unpowered reproduction equipment, in a loud environment, i.e. auscultating a patient's blood pressure in a moving ambulance.
  • Writing in the English language utilizing pen on paper in an expeditious manner, said writing to be satisfactorily legible to the average reader so that it accurately conveys the thoughts expressed and the situations and conditions encountered and experiences (i.e., preparing legible patient care documentation, with pen and paper, in a timely manner).
  • Verbally communicating in the English language via the spoken word in an expeditious and clear manner with sufficient volume so that said communication accurately conveys the thoughts expressed to an average listener in a loud environment (i.e., obtaining directions from a dispatch agency via a spoken conversation over conventional wireless communications technology).
  • Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
  • Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

• High School diploma, general equivalency diploma (GED), and/or GED equivalent programs
• Minimum of 2 or more years of EMT experience.
• Successful completion of core competency evaluation and orientation within 90 days of employment.
• Successful completion of EMS medical billing evaluation and orientation within 90 days of employment.
• All Hazards Incident Operations Plan within six months of employment.
• Must interact appropriately with all HackensackUMC management, EMS personnel, hospital personnel, public safety personnel, and members of the public.
• Must be capable of communicating clearly and effectively via written and verbal means.
• Certified Emergency Vehicle Operator or Emergency Vehicle Operations within 90 days of employment.
• Hazardous Materials Awareness and Hazardous Materials Operations within 90 days of employment.
• Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100 or Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100.b or Introduction to Incident Command System for Healthcare/Hospitals or National Incident Management System.
• Incident Command System, ICS-200 or ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents or Applying ICS to Healthcare Organizations.
• ICS-700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS) or NIMS 700 An Introduction or National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction.
• IS-800.D: National Response Framework, An Introduction
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills that may include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.

• Emergency Medical Technician Certification New Jersey or Current New Jersey or National Registry EMT-B Certification or National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians - Basic Certification or Current New York EMT-Basic Certification.
• AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification or BLS Instructor Trainer.
• International Trauma Life Support Certification or Prehospital Trauma Life Support Certification or Tactical Combat Casualty Care within 6 months of employment.
• Valid Driver's License from a USA state.

• Regular contact with medical personnel and its visitors.

If you feel the above description speaks directly to your strengths and capabilities, then please apply today!