Staff Nurse Coordinator- Triage

Division: Eskenazi Health

Sub-Division: SEMHC

Schedule: Full Time

Shift: Days

Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center, Indiana's first community mental health center, provides comprehensive care for emotional and behavioral problems, including severe mental illness and substance abuse. The Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center offers both inpatient and outpatient services, including several outreach centers as well as clinic- and community-based services.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Role Summary

The Staff Nurse Coordinator - RN coordinates the medical clinical services and is on-call for after-hours emergency issues affecting their behavioral health area(s).

This position functions independently as a clinical expert and practitioner, demonstrates superior problem-solving, decision-making, as well as critical thinking skills.

This role primarily focuses on the operational needs of their clinical areas, including performing all functions of Staff Nurse III, which may require this role to provide professional nursing care to patients as needed.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Functions independently as a clinical expert, practitioner, and resource to facilitate consistent quality patient care.
• Coordinates assignments, staffing, and scheduling of nursing staff based on established standards. Facilitates optimal utilization of resources to meet patient needs by ensuring employees have the tools and information to function efficiently.
• On-call as a resource for unit/area emergencies, disasters or other emergent situations by responding, facilitating communication and resources with management/administrative support. This may include responding to codes or other identified high acuity events.
• Supports consistent regulatory readiness for unit/area via rounding, counseling/coaching and monitoring.
• Is aware of standards and regulations applicable to clinical unit/area.
• Coordinates unit/area quality management and performance improvement (PI) activities in collaboration with area leadership teams. Initiates processes to resolve clinical problems to include PI projects with some direction.
• Contributes to the effectiveness of the team by engaging in change processes in a positive constructive manner.
• Monitors and evaluates care and practice for self and others, collects data to ensure effectiveness of interventions.
• Problem-solves unit/area operations issues, collaborating with management as defined. May function as a charge nurse and shift coordinator.
• Performs all functions of Staff Nurse III, providing technical expertise, or able to provide access to expert care, as well as direct professional nursing care to patients as needed.
• Coordinates special programs within area of expertise as delegated.
• Facilitates efficient patient throughput, which includes appropriate triage based on diagnosis, acuity and staffing requirements.
• Ensures discharge planning occurs in collaboration with case management and area management.
• Receives and follows-up on patient incidents and complaints in coordination with area leadership.
• Functions as a clinical coach, serves as a resource for other clinical coaches and area preceptors.
• Participates in planning orientation and development of staff.
• Participates in the evaluation of staff by providing input, supporting development and coaching and counseling of staff.
• Serves as a mediator, facilitating conflict resolution between staff, and involving management as directed.
• Continues to pursue educational and/or professional growth opportunities pertinent to clinical and professional development. Seeks specialty certification within identified time frames as appropriate.

Job Requirements

• Current Indiana license as a Registered Nurse
• Graduation from a nationally accredited college or university
• Current BLS certification
• Current ACLS certification
• Additional certifications and specialty skills related to designated area of practice
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in designated area as a Registered Nurse
• One year of charge nurse/resource nurse experience
• BSN preferred but not required

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Clinical nursing practice, fundamental nursing theories, current clinical concepts of care, including use of equipment/instruments relevant to unit/area care according to policies, procedures and standards
• Superior problem-solving techniques, critical thinking skills, and efficient decision-making abilities
• Effective interpersonal communication and team skills which include listening as well as interviewing techniques with patients, families and staff
• Work independently with little supervision
• Work effectively under stress/pressure and in crisis situations
• Establish care/work priorities
• Display sound judgment
• Assessment, reassessment and monitoring of patients
• Concise, accurate, legible documentation
• Knowledge of principles of growth and development over the life span
• Ability to provide care appropriate to meet the age and cultural needs of the patients served
• Ability to assess data/interpret appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to age, specific needs, as well as clinical indications
• Disease processes and related treatments/care/medications
• Diagnostic/therapeutic procedures/interventions/treatments/medications
• Departmental/hospital policies/protocols
• Infection control procedures and protocols
• Function as a member of the health care team
• Support and develop staff
• Delegate responsibilities/duties as appropriate
• Follow oral and written instructions
• Record and interpret information accurately
• Assess and respond to patient status or needs
• Perform CPR and other technical skills related to unit/department/assignment

Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center's primary mission is to serve individuals with serious mental illness and chronic addiction as well as seriously emotionally disturbed children and their families. Patients of all ages are welcomed, from children to seniors, with a philosophy of care that stresses strength-based and family- and community-centered treatment utilizing the Recovery Model of treatment.