Clinical Coordinator PreOp/PACU

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Maintains clinical, communication and personal knowledge and skills required to meet the challenge of delivering safe and effective patient care.
• Assists with daily staffing, patient/physician/employee issues in conjunction with the Director of Nursing and Administrator.
• Covers staffing scheduled for assigned areas based on census, coordinates lunches and breaks.
• 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:
• ADOLESCENT (13-17 years)
• ADULT (18-69 years)
• GERIATRIC (70+ years)
• Oversees 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.
• Communicates accurate and timely information regarding patients and their care and/or their significant others.
• Records pertinent information clearly, accurately and in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates positive interpersonal relationships with patients, significant others, and co-workers.
• Utilizes appropriate lines of communication.
• Assesses the health status of the patient by collecting data via:
• Patient interview
• Performance of a physical assessment for all age groups according to the plan of care
• Recognizes variances in the assessment which are normal/abnormal for the age group
• Review of records
• Organizes a plan of care that incorporates physician prescribed treatments, nursing assignments and diagnostic date in a manner that:
• Is prioritized, timely & integrated with the pre-operative plan of care
• Reflects management of identified problems
• Reflects observations of patient’s response to treatment
• Integrates physician’s orders into the plan
• Demonstrates appropriate prioritization
• Reflects collaboration with physicians and other members of the team
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate administration of medications and treatments according to policy, procedure, and protocol
• Re-evaluates and modifies the plan of care as indicated
• Participates in appropriate patient safety procedures.
• Ensures that appropriate documentation is completed.
• Accepts responsibility for nursing activities related to the care of the patient.
• Demonstrates appropriate judgment and decision-making skills.
• Serves as a patient’s advocate in meeting his/her physical and psychological needs.
• Serves as a preceptor and orients new members.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills and the ability to recognize and intervene in stressful situations involving the patient, significant other and/or team members.
• Creates and maintains a safe and comfortable environment in which surgery can take place.
• Acts as patient advocate, as applied to pre-operative coordination nursing.
• Treats patients respectfully, in a calm and courteous manner at all times.
• Recognizes and anticipates potential situations, institutes established procedures for specific situations.
• 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.
• Anticipates and assists anesthesia staff with gathering the necessary data for anesthesia metric qualifications approved by the Medical Executive Committee regarding Anesthesia Admission guidelines.
• Documents and records patient pre-op clearance information.
• Provides a channel of communication between events and team members prior to the surgical date.
• Responsible for documenting accurate, timely data.
• Makes certain patient’s chart is complete prior admission to the surgery center.
• Explains any procedure and day of admission questions to the patient and/or family member.
• Explains pre-operative orders per the respective physician.
• Liaison between the center, the surgeon, anesthesia team and patient before admission to the surgery center.
• Keeps work area stocked with appropriate supplies and orders when below usage level.
• 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.

Qualifications

• 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