Clinical Coordinator PreOp/PACU

Description

Job descriptions may be revised in writing to add or delete duties at any time at the discretion of management.

Summary:

The Clinical Coordinator (usually a Registered Nurse) is to provide coordination of therapeutic, effective patient/family-centered care according to physician orders, in compliance with the philosophy of the facility, standards of practice and regulations of governing agencies. Apply knowledge of the nursing process, illness, surgical procedures and anesthesia practice to the patient admissions process. The responsibility of this position includes communication with all staff members, management, physicians, anesthesia care providers, and the patient. Assess the patient and document the admission assessment process according to AORN Standards and Recommended Practice. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, initiate and implement patient care based on this assessment process.

Working Relationships:

As a representative of this facility, all comments, attitudes, actions, and behaviors have a direct effect on the center's image and perceptions of quality service. Interaction with patients, physicians, referral sources, guest, visitors, volunteer workers, co-workers, supervisors, vendors, etc. must be in a manner that is friendly, supportive, courteous, respectful, cooperative, and professional. This behavior should promote an atmosphere of teamwork that is congruent with the center's standards and guidelines to promote positive relations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties listed below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. They are not to be construed as an exclusive list of all job duties performed in this position.

1. The Clinical Coordinator is responsible for maintaining clinical, communication and personal knowledge and skills required to meet the challenge of delivering safe and effective patient care.

2. The Clinical Coordinator is responsible for assisting with daily staffing, patient/physician/employee issues in conjunction with the Director of Nursing and Administrator.

3. The Clinical Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating staffing scheduled for assigned areas based on census, coordinates lunches and breaks.

Clinical Practice:

1. Demonstrates competency in all procedures within the scope of practice, as appropriate to the ages of the patient served, including the ability to obtain, interpret, and communicate information in terms of the patient’s needs, a knowledge of growth and development, and an understanding of the range of treatment needed by the following age groups:

1. ___ ADOLESCENT (13-17 years)
2. ___ ADULT (18-69 years)
3. ___ GERIATRIC (70+ years)

2. The Clinical Coordinator is responsible for oversight of utilization of the nursing process in all aspects of the delivery of patient care and completion of all activities according to established policy, procedure, and protocol.

1. Communicates accurate and timely information regarding patients and their care and/or their significant others
2. Records pertinent information clearly, accurately and in a timely manner
3. Demonstrates positive interpersonal relationships with patients, significant others, and co-workers
4. Utilities appropriate lines of communication
5. Assess the health status of the patient by collecting data via:

i. Patient interview

ii. Performance of a physical assessment for all age groups according to the plan of care

iii. Recognizes variances in the assessment which are normal/abnormal for the age group

iv. Review of records

1. Organizes a plan of care that incorporates physician prescribed treatments, nursing assignments and diagnostic date in a manner that:

i. Is prioritized, timely & integrated with the pre-operative plan of care

1. Implements, documents, and evaluates the plan of care in a manner that:

i. Reflects management of identified problems

ii. Reflects observations of patient’s response to treatment

iii. Integrates physician’s orders into the plan

iv. Demonstrates appropriate prioritization

v. Reflects collaboration with physicians and other members of the team

vi. Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate administration of medications and treatments

according to policy, procedure, and protocol

vii. Re-evaluates and modifies the plan of care as indicated

1. Participates in appropriate patient safety procedures
2. Ensures that appropriate documentation is completed

Clinical Leadership:

1. Accepts responsibility for nursing activities related to the care of the patient

2. Demonstrates appropriate judgment and decision-making skills

3. Acts as the patient’s advocate in meeting his/her physical and psychological needs

4. Serves as a preceptor and orients new members

5. Demonstrates effective communication skills and the ability to recognize and intervene in stressful situations involving the patient, significant other and/or team members

6. Creates and maintains a safe and comfortable environment in which surgery can take place

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Acts as patient advocate, as applied to pre-operative coordination nursing

2. Treats patients respectively, in a calm and courteous manner at all times

3. Recognizes and anticipates potential situations, institutes established procedures for specific situations

4. Completes self-assessment of procedural competency, practicing within his/her scope of practice and knowledge. Seeks out assistance when unfamiliar or uncomfortable with situations or circumstances within his/her responsibilities

5. Anticipates and assists anesthesia staff with gathering the necessary data for anesthesia metric qualifications approved by the Medical Executive Committee regarding Anesthesia Admission guidelines

6. Documents and records patient pre-op clearance information

7. Provides a channel of communication between events and team members prior to the surgical date

8. Responsible for documenting accurate, timely data

9. Makes certain patient’s chart is complete prior admission to the surgery center

10. Explains any procedure and day of admission questions to the patient and/or family member

11. Explains pre-operative orders per the respective physician

12. Liaison between the center, the surgeon, anesthesia team and patient before admission to the surgery center

13. Keeps work area stocked with appropriate supplies and orders when below usage level

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Oversees professional and nonprofessional personnel. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training employees, assisting when applicable assigning and directing work.

Physical Demands:

1. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

2. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit and talk or hear.

The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

1. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

2. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to communicable diseases transmitted by patients and co-workers.

Requirements

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 and / or Experience:

Associate degree (AA) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school, preferably with a RN degree. Two- or three-years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Graduate of an accredited nursing institution, preferred.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from patients, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute ratio, rate, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, rations, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

Required: Current license as a Registered Nurse in the state of Illinois

BLS certification within 6 months of hire

Other Skills and Abilities:

Understanding and commitment to the mission, values, and philosophy of the organization.

Awareness of changing trends in nursing practice and ability to adapt

Knowledge and skills to provide patient care appropriate to specific location and patient population.

Ability to function effectively in stressful situations.

Ability to communicate in verbal and written methods

Ability and willingness to adjust schedule (trade or work extra) to meet the needs of the facility

Ability to work under supervision as well as ability to oversee others

Evidence of continued education in clinical nursing and universal precautions

Ability to set priorities

Ability to communicate well with patients, families, co-workers, etc.

Superior interpersonal skills