SUMMARY:

Provides oversight, coordination, training and education, and assists in the development of strategic plans for the stroke program at TMC. Oversees data development and tracking, certification requirements and monitors team responses for critical patient care. Coordinates all organizational aspects of maintaining Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) stroke certification. Assists and recommends protocols and guidelines for best practice treatment of neurology (neuro) patients across the continuum of care. Assists in the development of strategic plans for the growth of Neurology Services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Develops budget requirements for management review and approval and monitors variances.

Oversees the tracking process for data related to throughput of the neuro patients and provides data to initiate changes as appropriate and to improve outcomes.

Identifies patients at high risk requiring advanced nursing judgment; utilizes holistic assessment, identifies relevant aspects of situations and determines the appropriate course of action to move patient/family, and staff towards expected outcome(s).

Provides, manages and coordinates care; applies analytical reasoning, rational problem-solving skills, using evidence-based information and clinical judgment; acts as clinical resource to other staff members

Consults and communicates with physicians to ensure proper care and follow up of patients.

Assists with unit needs assessment of equipment, environment, new technology, for the development of capital budgeting in conjunction with unit manager.

Provides patient care, evaluates outcomes, consults with other specialists as required and adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure safe patient care.

Ensures accurate data collection, coordinates documentation efforts of staff and physicians.

Keeps current on technology, regulatory, and operational trends in the health care industry as it relates to patient care.

Provides direction, instruction and guidance for all staff involved in the care of patients.

Develops relationships that facilitate bringing forward issues around utilization and cost avoidance opportunities.

Evaluates outcomes of patient care, consults with other specialists as needed and adjusts nursing care processes as necessary to ensure optimal patient care.

Runs abstracts and prepares reports that delineate response times and analyzes for optimal performance; providing recommendations for improvement.

Demonstrates and upholds established standards of behavior, safety, and confidentiality, as well as TMCH and department policies and standards.

Adheres to and supports others in exhibiting TMCH values of integrity, community, compassion, and dedication.

Exhibits excellence in customer service through appropriate attitude and interaction with all patients, visitors and staff.

Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Bachelor's Degree in Nursing is required, Master's is preferred.

EXPERIENCE: Five (5) years of Experience in teaching in a healthcare setting is desired in an acute care setting.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: Current RN licensure permitting work in the state of Arizona, Basic Life Support (BLS), and Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required. Additional certification may be required for some units.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Knowledge of critical care techniques, tools and responses required to ensure optimal patient care.
• Knowledge of processes and procedures to follow during rapid response call.
• Knowledge of processes and procedures to follow during a code or stroke call. (For Stroke Program only).
• Knowledge of chart abstraction.
• Knowledge of education and marketing for the Chest Pain, and CHF and Stroke programs. (For Stroke Program only).
• Knowledge of chart abstraction.
• Skill in evaluating performance and recommending improvements.
• Skill in developing training materials and educating staff in the proper responses.
• Skill in evaluating performance and recommending improvements.
• Skill in the use and maintenance of computer systems and programs, especially Word, EXCEL, e-mail and attachment capabilities, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Skill in communicating with staff involved in patient care, and physicians to ensure the proper care of patients.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to listen and accurately interpret others' communication or instructions to take appropriate action.
• Ability to speak and communicate effectively.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.