Ortho Nurse Coordinator

• 1. Coordinates referrals and initial patient contact with clinical team and attending, identifying additions or deletions.
• 2. Maintains contact with patients/families and referring physicians across the continuum of care. Conveys pertinent medical information in collaboration with the attending physicians and/or fellows to patient's primary and referring physicians and insurance providers.
• 3. Collaborates with management and social work. During initial and pre-admission contacts with patients/families, consults with payors, financial counselors and case managers to determine how best to address issues which may arise regarding patient benefits and medical reimbursements.
• 4. Facilitates diagnostic, admitting, surgical and/or treatment follow-up by communicating regularly in rounds with the provider team.
• 5. Collaborates with the patient's caregivers, as well as other members of the health care team regarding current medical plan of care. Attends interdisciplinary meetings as a representative of the service. Functions as a nurse resource to the staff for patients on the service and consultation for patients seen by the service.
• 6. Maintains outpatient follow-up by assessing patient needs, concerns and questions, and provides education and support. Collaborates with the appropriate individuals to facilitate the transition and coordination of follow-up after clinic visits, and/or follow-up by consulting services. Communicates with referring and primary physicians following patient discharge.
• 7. Facilitate transitions of care by providing updated medical information, which includes a report of medications, procedure(s) and applicable details and continuing care plan arranged.
• 8. Participates in enhancing the professional development of nursing staff and other health care providers involved in the care of the patients. Facilitates self care of patients through patient and family education.
• 9. Functions as the educational resource to staff nurses and other health care providers in the disease unit and/or quality initiatives.
• 10. Collaborates physician and nursing staff on the development of Patient Care Standards.
• 11. Collaborates with nurse in assessing the learning needs of patients and their families and providing education support when needed.
• 12. Provides written information to patients and their families pertaining to illness or surgical procedures and develops teaching tools as needed.
• 13. Conveys information pertaining to hospital policy and procedure to resident staff faculty and other members of the service.
• 14. Serves as a primary contact for patient and family
• 15. Facilitates team approach to total plan of care
• 16. Performs ongoing assessment and management of care
• 17. Coordinates care of multiple providers across the care continuum
• 18. Assists in the coordination of the clinical program through interaction with internal and external contacts.
• 19. Participates in safety and quality improvement efforts
• 20. Facilities the integration of documentation and information systems
• 21. Assists in marketing and community outreach efforts
• 22. Assists in the coordination of the clinical program
• 23. As a member of the patient care team, provides direct patient care during clinic visits in collaboration with the house staff and nursing staff.
• 24. Facilitates the continued care of patients following discharge through consultation with patients/families and home care agencies. Per hospital policy and unit protocols and under the supervision of attending physicians and/or fellows, manages medical prescriptions and treatments to pharmacies or home care agencies.
• 25. Remains current regarding issues pertaining to the medical specialty to enhance clinical practice.
• 26. Attends conferences as indicated
• 27. Collaborates with research investigators and protocol personnel
• 28. Fosters academic and clinical investigation through participation in research projects in the specialty practice area and related fields of study. Participates in literature review, data collection and data entry.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing required.

EXPERIENCE

3-5 years of experience with surgical patient population, inpatient or outpatient. Ortho and/or Spine experience preferred.

LICENSURE

CT RN license

SPECIAL SKILLS

Knowledge of physiology involving the disease unit. Excellent communication skills.

minimum 1 year experience in orthopedic preferred. at least 2 years' experience in nursing, ambulatory experience preferred.