Clinical Coordinator Nursing

JOB SUMMARY

The Nursing Clinical Coordinator actively participates in a collaborative/consultative/supportive role with the Chief Nursing Officer, Administrators and Nurse Managers to assure efficient patient flow and quality patient care.

This individual facilitates patient flow and efficient/appropriate patient placements. The position oversees nursing clinical activities and assures compliance with applicable policies and procedures. The Nursing Clinical Coordinator collaborates with the nurses and physicians to coordinate pending discharges/transfers, EVS requests, bed requests, bed assignments, nursing assignments for upcoming shifts, and addresses patient/family requests and concerns. He/she identifies, problem-solves, communicates and delegates to facilitate patient flow.

This position directs, supervises, evaluates and supports patient care activities; serves as a resource to staff nurses and other department(s) personnel on clinical practice and is a resource for implementation/ interpretation of hospital and nursing policies and procedures.

The clinical coordinator promotes excellence in departmental programs/projects on the off-shifts and will be responsible for coordinating off shift education and competencies.

This position will collaborate with the Staffing Coordinator to facilitate staffing of the inpatient units on a shift-by-shift basis, utilizing the protocols and staffing patterns established by the Chief Nursing Officers. With guidance from the Staffing Coordinator and/or Nurse Mangers, the clinical coordinator assumes full responsibility for staffing functions. In addition, they will make adjustments to staffing based on census, patient acuity, fiscal, and Human Resources policies.

This individual will respond to all Rapid Response calls.

Promotes system and individual approaches to care, which ensure patient satisfaction.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Patient / Customer

Works collaboratively with the unit leadership and/or the admission team regarding the following accountabilities:

Represents the Hospital and when appropriate responds to patient, visitor, and hospital personnel issues.

Collaborates with the Hospital Case Management Department regarding calls from patients, families, and personnel about patient transportation, clothing, childcare, social and financial support.

Collaborates with Pastoral Care to provide support of the dying patient and grief stricken family members.

Promotes system and individual approaches to care which ensure patient satisfaction. In the event of patient/family/visitor satisfaction, evaluates the situation and intervenes to promote resolution of the problem and promote satisfaction.

Promotes and encourages staff to follow hospital and government policies on patient confidentiality. Maintains patient confidentiality.

Follows HIPAA policies in regard to the use of disclosure of and amendment to Protect Health Information (PHI).

Patient / Employee Safety

Participates in Entity and Department wide initiatives for Patient /Employee safety.

Demonstrates an awareness of patient/ employee safety when carrying out daily responsibilities of their position.

Maintains annual competencies required for the position.

Carries out fire and safety regulation.

Observes radiation precautions.

Observes chemotherapy precautions.

Demonstrates proper body mechanics when moving and lifting.

Knows limits of responsibilities and seeks guidance as appropriate.

Identifies location of emergency equipment.

Operations

Assists the unit leadership teams with the implementation of effective and efficient departmental staffing strategies on a daily basis:

Works collaboratively with the nurse manager/charge nurse to resolve any immediate assignment concerns with supplemental staff.

Addresses staffing needs as it relates to census fluctuation (i.e. late admissions, late discharges, ).

In collaboration with the Administrative Nursing Coordinator, directs delivery of patient care in a safe environment:

Monitors the condition of the physical plant, with particular attention to safety hazards and Hospital environment and reports them to the appropriate individual.

Maintains excellent communication skills with nurse managers and administrators by displaying positive attitude and the ability to assist the nursing units with specific clinical needs.

Collaborates and consults with Hospital department directors and their associates regarding safety and operational issues.

Identifies system failures and evaluates the operation of interdepartmental and intradepartmental functions.

Works in conjunction with the Hospital Security Department to assure patient, visitor, and personnel safety, as well as in the prevention of Hospital theft and destruction of property.

Collaborates with the Chief Nursing Officer, and administrators and others on implementation of nursing and hospital policies/procedures.

Facilitates obtaining equipment/supplies/resources when unavailable through usual systems.

Responds to unusual events, such as mass casualty, electric/steam/or water outages, floods, bomb threats, fires, and radiation exposure:

In collaboration with the Nurse Manager / Charge Nurse, coordinates nursing staff in mass casualty/emergency situations.

Ensures that appropriate personnel and resources are available in emergencies (i.e., codes, RRT, etc.).

Mentors and supervises nursing staff:

Assess organizational climate of unit and identifies strategies to promote quality care and patient flow.

Determines and implements strategies to address to issues/needs impacting on quality care and patient flow.

Mentors nurses in need of support in areas of critical thinking and clinical decision-making.

Models interpersonal/ multidisciplinary collaboration and communication.

Provides appropriate feedback to nursing leadership to support individual and unit development.

Actively participates in appropriate nursing/management committees.

Facilitates patient flow by coordinating with the Admissions, charge nurses, to place patients appropriately based on care needs,

Communicates appropriately and continuously with admissionst.

Maintains knowledge of Bed Management patient placement documentation.

Performs focused rounding and monitors census on high occupancy and high acuity nursing units.

Works directly with unit staff and appropriate other disciplines to resolve any delays / critical failure points-should they arise.

Directly assists charge and staff nurses as necessary to resolve patient flow delays (i.e admit patients, move beds, take report)

Ensures timely communication of information such as pending discharges and transfers, pending admission requests and staffing constraints to admissions.

Aids the Admissions staff in determining priority of EVS bed cleans and patient transport activities.

Serves as the primary nursing responder for the Rapid Response Service:

Completes emergent patient assessment & monitoring

Administers drugs and treatments as directed by MD / NP

Mentors nursing staff in assessment and management patient in distress

Assesses and supports the process of transferring patient to a higher level of care as needed.

Deploys effective communication/ambassador skills among the patient care unit staff and the Rapid Response Service responders.

Contributes to the desired patient outcomes through collegiality, collaboration and conflict-resolution.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing required

Work Experience

5 years of experience in a similar setting required

1-2 years of prior supervisory experience required

Critical care experience preferred

Licenses / Certifications

Registered Nurse PA license required

Basic Life Support / CPR, as a healthcare provider, per the American Heart Association required

ACLS required