PATIENT CARE COORDINATOR at Forrest General Hospital – Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Job Summary:

The Patient Care Coordinator is accountable and responsible for managing the clinical care course of treatment of a number of patients. Coordination of care is accomplished through collaboration with physicians, associate staff, and other health care providers to ensure that patient outcomes are achieved within the projected course of treatment using the nursing process. The Patient Care Coordinator is accountable to the Nurse Manager.

Performance Expectations:

· Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served; also demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age specific needs, and to provide the care needed. Serves as a resource person for nurses and other staff on the unit.

• Demonstrates ability to perform all technical skills required for each unit’s population by rendering professional nursing care including administering medications, starting IVs, maintenance of Intravenous lines and foley catheters, venipuncture, administration of blood products, restraint application and monitoring, sterile dressing, and performs both complex and routine treatments as ordered by physician

· Demonstrate the technical aptitude for working and troubleshooting equipment used including but not limited to traction, wound vacuum systems, sequential compression devices, continuous passive motion machines, telemetry monitoring devices, blood glucose monitoring devices,anddevices, and specialty beds.
· Demonstrates the aptitude for safely positioning and assisting patients using a variety of devices such as but not limited to abduction pillows, splints, slings, braces, neck collars, walkers, crutches and immobilizers.
· Demonstrates thorough, concise and timely documentation, shift reports and verbal communication. Communicates pertinent patient information to all health care team members. Collaborates with physicians, case management staff, medical social work staff, and other ancillary staff on an ongoing basis to prepare the patient for discharge within the established length of stay.
· Maintains own clinical skills staying current in skills, equipment and certifications required in specific nursing area, including EKG rhythm identification, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification annually, Basic Life Support (BLS) certification every two years, and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification every two years,
· Implements a systematic and comprehensive plan of care to provide individualized care, prompt intervention when clinical changes occur, and prevention of complications in patients in need of cardiac monitoring, stroke care, and medical-surgical care.
· Communicates effectively with others in an appropriate and timely manner
· Adheres to and promotes the established values of the organization, i.e. customer service, safety and compliance standards.
· Demonstrates self motivation and is able to make decisions independently keeping PCM informed and supporting the hosptial’s mission and vision.
· Demonstrates the ability to coordinate services with the medical staff, nursing staff and other departments as well as other providers. Responds rapidly and effectively during emergency situations. Delegates and supervises all phases of the nursing process for patients on the unit from admission through discharge.

Demonstrate ability to care for the crainectomy patient, TBI patient,Halo Brace device,CSF drainage system, application of TLSO,LSO,Cevical collars
Demonstrate ability to perform neuro checks and recognize any status changes in the patient.

Qualifications:

Education/Skills:

Graduate of a recognized non-online RN program required. Members of the Primary Stroke Team are required to receive initial and ongoing education and training with focus on cerebrovascular disease and treatment of acute stroke patients. A minimum of eight hours education regarding current stroke management required during orientation and annually that includes NIHSS certification.

Work Experience:

Minimum of two years as a staff RN in an acute setting required, with six months being at Forrest General Hospital preferred.

Certification/Licensure:

Current RN license - Mississippi State Board of Nursing required. NIH Stroke Scale certification completion required by the end of the orientation period. Basic Coronary Care class, EKG Interpretation class, and ACLS required within six months of employment.