FT-7pm-7am and 11am-7pm

DEPARTMENT:  Nursing Administration            

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for planning, organizing, and supervising, and performing nursing care in an optimal, cost effective manner.  Expected to communicate and interact well with staff, physicians, patients, significant others and administration.  Initiates appropriate verbal and administrative actions in instances of unsatisfactory staff, clinical or behavior performance.  Responsible for overall operation of the hospital during absence of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, and the Assistant Chief Nursing Officer.   Is required to perform patient care in assigned unit(s) (physical care, transports).  Responsible for evaluation of equipment, obtaining supplies/pharmaceuticals/patient records; unit time schedule changes, knowledge of units Policy and Procedures; JCAHO requirements and for meeting professional standards of nursing care; provides suggestions for Quality Improvement studies, assists with chart reviews.  Nursing Coordinators work under the direction of the Assistant Chief Nursing Officer.  Interfaces with Unit Managers regarding unit’s performance.  Participates in required meetings/committees.  Knowledgeable of EMTALA laws.  Annual evaluation.  Has computer usage knowledge

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS: 

Minimum Education:

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing 
• Additional educational preparation in administration
• Prefer BSN                   

Minimum Experience: 

• At least two to three years progressive Med/Surg/ICU nursing experience functioning as Charge Nurse or Unit Manager.
• Clinically capable to assist in all nursing units. 

Minimum Field of Expertise:

• Ability to plan, organize and supervise nursing care.
• Knowledge of new trends and techniques. 
• Demonstrates annual competency in selected clinical skills.

Required courses/training:

• CEUs to maintain RN Nursing License and management proficiency
• Hospital Emergency Incident Command (HEICS)
• Completes the mandatory orientation/annual computer tests   

Required certification:

• Current Kansas license with biennial renewal
• BLS affirmation

Recommended  certification:

• ACLS affirmation
• Neonatal Resuscitation affirmation

Physical Demands: 

• Moderate to heavy physical efforts
• Frequent standing/walking/sitting/stooping/reaching/bending
• Frequent lifting patient, supplies equipment
• Manual dexterity and mobility
• Must be able to lift arms above head
• Rapid and efficient response to emergencies 
• Must pass the Physical Capacity Profile Testing with a score of 3 

Required protective equipment: 

• Standard precautions for:  a. exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious materials; b. exposure to chemical hazards, slippery surfaces; c. exposure to noise and noxious odors; d. electrical equipment.

Vision requirements: 

• Ability to see clearly at 20 feet or more
• Ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less 
• Ability to see peripherally 

Personal: 

• Works positively with others, possessing tact, discretion and diplomacy
• Demonstrates leadership and teaching ability 
• Possesses the ability to work under pressure 
• Maintains good physical and emotional well being
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work quietly
• Appropriate, clean/pressed attire, wears name tag and identifies self to patient
• Reliable
• Possesses integrity
• Possesses initiative
• Role model
• Maintains a positive attitude
• Follows the Dept. of Nursing dress code

Working conditions:  

• Subject to stressful conditions
• Could be reassigned to another shift as necessary for staffing.  Requires weekend and holiday work. 
• May be requested to provide patient care in an ambulance transfer
• Is subject to call back for mass casualty situations
• Knowledgeable of responsibilities during emergency/disaster and of incident command

Degree of Supervision required:

• Must be able to work independently

DUTIES OF SHIFT COORDINATOR 

• Directs the nursing care for patients on assigned shifts, in a manner reflective of the hospital's philosophy and objectives. 
• Plans safe, efficient and economical Nursing Care while at the same time JCAHO and other relevant standards are met regarding adult, adolescent and pediatric patients. 
• Ensures patient care is given in accordance with quality standards, hospital policy and procedures.  Ensure all variances are documented and sent to Risk Manager.  Provide information to succeeding Shift Coordinator to ensure issue does not reoccur.  Ensure Chief Nursing Officer is aware if ramifications will occur. 
• Acts as liaison between patient, physician and family, which is successfully evidenced by patient and/or family properly carrying out instructions with positive feedback from physician and/or family. 
• Acts as liaison between physician and patient care team when necessary.  Effectiveness evidenced when physicians orders are carried out promptly, accurately, communications are clear as documented. When a break down occurs, ensure all staff is involved in “Lessons Learned”. 
• Interfaces with physician as necessary, when communication is not clear, evidenced by negative feedback. 
• Reviews patient care staff assignments with Charge Nurse.  Ensures that these assignments are based on workload and competency of available personnel. 
• Assists the staff with development and usage of Nursing Care Plans. 
• Provides linen, supplies, medication and equipment necessary for delivery of care when those areas are closed.
• Participates in meeting JCAHO standards.
• Submits list of suggested equipment needs to the Unit Managers, for annual  budget consideration. 
• Informs Assistant Chief Nursing Officer of any immediate supply and/or equipment needs not met through regular procurement. 
• Maintains/documents appropriate numbers and levels of staff to meet Nursing Care needs for shift based on patient census and condition.  Redistributes personnel based upon patient care needs.
• Prepares staffing sheet for distribution to the nursing units. 
• Uses patient classification system to determine the staffing for on‑coming shift and secures and/or cancels staff as patient condition and census warrants. 
• Participates in patient care in all nursing units as necessary and assists in all emergency situations. 
• Assesses Nursing Care needs by receiving report from previous Shift Coordinator, and by patient rounds. 
• Assists Cardiopulmonary and Radiology in providing care or medication for patients in their area. 
• Keeps Chief Nursing Officer informed as to staffing pattern and changes possibly necessitating consideration for change in budgeted positions. 
• Promotes an environment in which the patient care team can work cooperatively toward achieving individual and hospital objectives. 
• Participates in policy and procedure formulation and/or revision. 
• Verbalize concerns and/or dissatisfaction and explore solutions. 
• Is leader, role model, and is dedicated to insure optimal delivery of care to patients.
• Promotes camaraderie among the 24-hour health care team, evidenced by quality of care and existence of cooperative relationships among members of the health care team. 
• Provides staff with opportunities for professional growth through cross training. 
• Participates, as needed, in the planning, directing and evaluation of the orientation of new nursing personnel. 
• Assists the Unit Manager with employee Performance Appraisals. 
• Recognizes inferior standard of nursing performance and then guides staff toward increased efficiency and performance.    Counsels staff when necessary, maintaining accurate documentation, and communication with the Unit Manager, Asst. Chief Nursing Officer, and the Chief Nursing Officer. 
• Recommends to the action to be taken. 
• Encourages staff to attend specific educational programs. 
• Delegates responsibilities to staff within scope of their ability.   
• Acts as liaison between Nursing and Hospital Administration and other departments. 
• Accepts, interprets and implements policies and procedures set forth by Nursing and Hospital Administration, to personnel, patients and their significant others.  Effectiveness evidenced by all following proper policy and procedure. 
• Participates in selected committee meetings for the purpose of providing input from and taking information back to the Nursing Staff.  Ex: Unit Manager Meeting
• Maintains knowledge of All Hospital Plans; Department of Nursing/Unit Policies & Procedures; Infection Control Manual and the Personnel Policy Handbook.  Work performance is consistent with these policies and procedures.
• Prepares written reports as requested/necessary. 
• Assumes additional responsibility as necessary, i.e. Charge or staff on a Nursing unit.
• Ensures the Anesthetist and OR on call staff (circulatory and scrub nurse) is aware of emergency or add on cases.
• Keeps Assistant Chief Nursing Officer abreast of situations and activities affecting personnel, physicians and staff. 
• Participates in quality improvement activities as directed by the Assistant Chief Nursing Officer.
• Ensures staff meets Infection Control standards; i.e. reporting infections; reporting diseases to Health Department; appropriate isolation signage on the patient’s room.
• Night Nursing Coordinator ensures units cleaning book is up to date, food in refrigerator dated and temperature recorded on door (task can be delegated to night Charge Nurse).
• Day Nursing Coordinator ensures Code Carts are checked and documented daily.
• Reads and initials information regarding memos, new Policies and Procedures, schedule changes, L. A. Express and Staff News.
• The Shift Coordinator is evaluated by several methods including observation, documented employee counseling, and continuing education/in-services/meeting records.  “Exceeds” equals documentation by the Chief Nursing Officer that they went beyond the expectations routine performance.  “Not met” must include documentation that the Shift Coordinator has not performed up to expectations documented by the Chief Nursing Officer.