Stroke Program Coordinator at Beacon Health System – Kalamazoo, Michigan

Reports to the Director, Cardiovascular and Stroke Services. Participates in designing compassionate, timely, comprehensive, patient centered care to the stroke patient. Provides patient, family, community and professional education. Coordinates work to achieve and maintain Stroke Center designation from an accrediting body. Collects data to achieve and maintain AHA Get with the Guidelines for Stroke metrics. Works closely with physicians to meet needs of the stroke patients and the organization. Coordinates research data, community physicians and Beacon Health System resources into a seamless model of access and care that benefits patients, participating physicians and family members.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.

VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.

SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Plans, coordinates and evaluates day-to-day operations to ensure that quality Neuroscience services are provided in accordance with the Hospital's mission, strategic plans and all internal policies/procedures and external regulations:

Coordinates and collaborates on patient care for all stoke related patients.

Monitors stroke patients in-house daily.

Coordinates the efforts of the staff caring for stroke patients and ensures the provision of quality, cost-effective care.

Working collaboratively with the Medical Director, Emergency Care Center, pre-hospital EMS, and other Hospital Directors, regarding the planning, coordination and implementation of stroke related care.

Ensures that a level of shared operational management between Physicians and Hospital departments is achieved.

Provides input into preparation of annual capital and operating budget as it relates to stroke care and resources.

Development and implementation of cerebral vascular related policy and procedure, including care provision, thrombolytic administration, power plans and patient education packets. Develops and revises protocols for various case types through ongoing research and review of the current literature.

Is responsible for maintaining DNV certification for Comprehensive Stroke Center designation. This includes preparing for and leading annual stroke surveys.

Ensures compliance with accreditation, regulatory and professional standards which impact stroke services.

Provides consultation to appropriate community resources to ensure integration and coordination of stroke understanding within the community.

Collaborates with physicians to develop protocols and guidelines consistent across all specialties for stroke care.

Develop and maintain process for tracking appropriate use of protocols and guidelines.

Assists the physician by acting as a liaison between inter-disciplinary team through educating and assisting with the understanding of the plan of care to patients, families and other members of the healthcare team.

Develops a quality assurance data collection plan, ensuring complete chart review from hospital and outpatient office for complete care.

Monitors patients' care while concurrently tracking variances, interventions and outcomes.

Collects and reports variance trends to the Executive Director or the appropriate Physician Reviewer for review and action.

Reviews patient medical records to monitor completeness and accuracy, which includes the identification of medical issues, that have not been addressed both on inpatient and outpatient platforms.

Assist in the development of community and Hospital outreach program through education, health fairs, stroke risk screening and stroke awareness activities.

Maintains active role within the multi-disciplinary team.

Rounds on stroke patients during their hospitalization including completion of stroke education with patients and/or family during their hospitalization.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals representing referral facilities and outside organizations in order to coordinate outreach education, referral follow-up and ensure provision of quality care.

Collaborates to ensure the development of clinical care pathways for the stroke patient population including acute and post-acute care settings.

Works closely with the team of care providers with the patient transition from hospital to home and other post-acute settings over a 90-day period for the stroke bundled payment program.

Responds to code strokes. Drives the code stroke process to ensure all standards of care are met based on DNV and AHA/ASA requirements, while striving to exceed those expectations.

Participation in interdisciplinary rounds.

Assists neurologist to round on patients where appropriate.

Participates in continuous quality improvement:

Compiles and analyzes data that is required for generating reports; also ensuring the data accurately represents utilization trends and patterns.

Creation of quality reports for case review with interdisciplinary team.

Creates and drives quality improvement initiatives based on stroke center performance.

Auditing of patient's care following acute reperfusion therapy to ensure DNV standards of care are met.

Development of protocols for stroke-related conditions.

Coordinates the gathering and reporting of patient outcome information.

Maintains stroke bundle metrics and other metrics as assigned.

Creates and administers stroke-specific survey for data collection for patient/family input for improvement.

Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department:

Completes other job-related assignments and special projects as directed.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.

Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.

Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.

Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.

Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.

Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.

Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.

Complies with established organization and department policies.

Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Commitment to Beacon's six-point Operating System, referred to as The Beacon Way:

Leverage innovation everywhere.

Cultivate human talent.

Embrace performance improvement.

Build greatness through accountability.

Use information to improve and advance.

Communicate clearly and continuously.

Education and Experience

The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion of an accredited nursing program. Current license to practice as an RN in the state in which you work is required. A bachelor's degree in nursing or equivalent is required. A master’s degree in nursing or equivalent is preferred. Prior experience managing and/or coordinating the care of neuro or stroke population is desirable. Prior clinical experience on a stroke unit or clinical unit that manages the care of stroke patients is preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

Requires thorough knowledge of nursing clinical care practices, procedures and techniques, with a focus in neurosciences and/or critical care.

Demonstrates analytical, problem-solving and organization skills.

Demonstrates the communication skills (which includes verbal, written and listening) necessary to effectively counsel patients and their families.

Demonstrates the interpersonal skills necessary to promote and maintain cooperative, courteous and sincere relationships with patients, family members, physicians, staff and the public.

Demonstrates sensitivity and the ability to use tact when working with patients and their families.

Requires time management skills and the ability to independently prioritize and organize work activities; also requires the ability to work effectively under pressure.

Demonstrates the computer skills and knowledge necessary to effectively use and support various computer programs.

Working Conditions

Works in various environments with frequent changes in job demands.

Requires travel to referral sources, satellite and other locations.

Physical Demands

Requires the physical ability and stamina (i.e. to walk/stand for prolonged periods of time, push carts/wheelchairs up to 50 pounds, to position/lift patients at a maximum of 35 pounds unassisted, over 35 pounds requires assistance, provide CPR, etc.) to perform the essential functions of the position.