NURSE COORDINATOR, PEDIATRIC AMBULATORY SERVICES, SENIOR CLINICAL NURSE I

General Summary

The role of the Nurse Coordinator for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology is aimed for the nurse who is a clinical and professional leader at the practice setting level. Under general supervision and with attending physician input, the incumbent is responsible for coordinating, managing and communicating the plan of treatment to pediatric hematology and oncology patients and their families. He/she advances evidence based practices, leads practice setting governance initiatives, and mentors others to achieve and grow in the role of the professional nurse. As a senior member of the practice partnership at the practice setting level, serves as a leader, change agent, and coordinator of patient care services within a specific service line. Takes a leadership role in overall design and implementation of a patient centered care delivery system that facilitates achievement of patient outcomes, supports continuity of care and patient flow between care delivery sites, and enhances patient and care giver satisfaction. Monitors the quality and cost effectiveness of nursing practice and governance systems at the practice setting level. Is accountable to patients and families for the processes and outcomes of care during an episode of care. Is accountable to peers for the advancement of group practice on the practice setting, and to the nurse manager for the totality of work performance.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

Clinical Practice/Care Delivery

• Collaborates and coordinates with physicians and all disciplines involved in the patient's care to assure timely progress toward the best clinical outcome in the most cost-effective manner.
• Provides direct and indirect care in area of specialization to patients and families, and objectively and systematically evaluates the quality and appropriateness of care delivery.
• Provides symptom management strategies to a defined patient population in collaboration with physician.
• Provides extensive patient education regarding disease process, treatment plan, and symptom management. Expertise in specialty area enables nurse coordinator to triage and assess patients in order to provide optimum level of care. Assists patients and families through disease process and along cancer diagnosis continuum.
• Assists patients with authorizing and pre-certification of insurance coverage for tests as ordered as part of the treatment plan.
• Serves as a clinical expert and professional resource for the practice setting nurses; mentors and coaches other nurses to advance their development

• Advances clinical practice on the practice setting; consistently integrates evidence into practice and uses this as a firm foundation for practice setting practice; coaches staff

• Utilizes clinical expertise to teach other nurses informally on the practice setting in a structured role or through formal teaching in classes

• Serves a role models Patient-Centered Care and mentors others in their growth

Unit Operations

• Mentors new nurse coordinators
• Serves to problem solve; focusing on operational issues that may impede patient outcomes in a timely manner.
• Serves as a practice setting steward such as liaison for lab, nutrition, pharmacy, etc.
• Active participant in regulatory activities such as tracers, disease specific certification visits, etc.
• Roles models and holds peers accountable for maintaining AACN guidelines for Healthy Work Environment (communication, collaboration, effective decision making, recognition, leadership, staffing

Practice Focus areas:

• Leads governance initiatives
• Leads practice setting-based efforts addressing elements of Healthy Work Environment
• Leads Reward and Recognition activities
• Leads efforts that support practice setting operations such as equipment maintenance, scheduling, supply utilization monitoring etc.
• Leads practice setting-based peer review processes