Unit Coordinator (238) 

JOB SUMMARY: The Unit Coordinator is a Registered Nurse who is accountable for coordinating the delivery of patient care, and providing leadership, supervision and direction for unit nursing personnel on a 24/7day per week basis. The Coordinator is responsible for coordination of patient care activities according to acuity level. The ER Unit Coordinator position has specific responsibilities according to whether it is staffing, quality, education, or IS (EDM). The Unit Coordinator performs duties and responsibilities in a manner adhering to all hospital and departmental policies, and procedures and in compliance with the Indiana State Nurse Practice Act.

The RN is qualified to perform a nursing intervention defined as administration of moderate sedation (conscious sedation) and can monitor the patient's response and provide necessary physiological support during a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. The RN will receive initial education on hire in moderate sedation and will have an annual competency.

QUALIFICATIONS:

JOB SPECIFIC CORE COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrates assessment and reassessment documentation of emergency department patients and proper communication of findings to other allied healthcare members.
• Demonstrates appropriate chain of command use and delegation of care responsibilities.
• Provides holistic, patient-centered care while providing for established patient rights of the organization.
• Demonstrates critical thinking through individualized care planning tailored to the needs of each patient.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Triage of the emergency department patient.
• Effective coordination of patient flow through the emergency department.
• Maintains staff work assignments and assures staffing levels are appropriate.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

LEADERSHIP

• Assures that performance expectations are communicated to associates.
• Monitors performance for adherence to and timely completion of performance expectations.
• Discusses unsatisfactory associate reviews with recommended action plan with TL prior to giving the evaluation.
• Provide timely performance feedback to associates.
• Participate in interviewing and selection of unit associates

DIRECT AND INDIRECT PATIENT CARE

• Demonstrate competence in caring for patients.
• Provides and supervises nursing care for patients.
• Collaborate with members of the health care team to facilitate optimal achievement of patient outcomes.
• Assure that nursing care delivered is consistent with licensure/accreditation requirements and organizational policies/procedures and protocols.
• Assure the availability of resources required of the unit.

PROFESSIONALISM GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Plan orientation of new associates.
• Coordinate unit-based education activities.
• Coordinate the planning, implementation and evaluation of progressive change in collaboration with TL Is self-directed and seeks educational and personal performance improvement activities.
• Advocates "Character First" and consistently role models associated characteristics.

QUALITY/PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT

• Serves as leader for designated unit based council committees.
• Ensures continual survey preparedness,
• Monitors and analyzes data related to patient outcomes and performance of nursing associates, recommends Performance Improvement and participates in data trending to document results.
• Serve as a role model and resource for staff as they implement performance activities.
• Assure timely submission of quality data.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Work collaboratively with other members of the health care team to maximize resource efficiency while achieving desired outcomes.
• Allocate work assignments and monitors man hour utilization and assures that staffing levels are appropriate.
• Analyze non-productive time and strategies to maximize efficiency.
• Recommend and facilitate operations improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the unit.

COMMUNICATION

• Assure that there is accurate, timely communication of patient status/needs among members of the health care team.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with other departments.
• Assist associates in conflict resolution, investigates concerns regarding care issues, unresolved conflict and collaborates with the TL to determine a course of action.
• Demonstrate effective verbal/written communication and conflict resolution.

SAFETY

• Identify and reports/addresses situations of risk within the unit.
• Monitor performance and processes to assure that practice is consistent with safety principles, OSHA guidelines, Infection Control guidelines, and hospital policies/procedures.
• Assures equipment is functional and meets organizational requirements and that prompt action is taken.

GUEST RELATIONS/PATIENT RIGHTS

• Conduct interactions with patients, visitors, physicians, volunteers, other associates, and the public in a manner consistent with the intent of the hospital's mission, vision and values.
• Assures that care is delivered in a compassionate, non-judgmental manner that respects the rights of the individual, physicians, and colleagues to privacy, dignity, respect, and confidentiality at all times.
• Staff interacts with patient/families in a professional and compassionate manner.
• Monitors/analyzes patient satisfaction and recommends improvements.
• Act as a role model in patient advocacy and effective conflict resolution strategies.

EXPECTED BEHAVIORS: As stated in "Patients First Behavioral Commitment" Professional Behavior Positive Attitude / Demeanor Respect Teamwork Accountability Communication Dedication to Excellence Leadership.

CERTIFICATION/LICENSE: Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR); Registered Nurse (RN)

ADDITIONAL LICENSURE/CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: Mandatory Annual Continuing Education: Customer Service, Fire and Safety, Confidentiality-HIPAA, Infection Control, Corporate Compliance. Annual Unit Specific Competencies, and all education required by regulatory, accreditation bodies and/or Hancock Regional Hospital.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: ACLS PALS TNCC CEN Preferred Five year’s emergency nursing experience.