Nurse Coordinator
Meharry Medical College

The job description relates specifically to the Elam Center, a division of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences of the School of Medicine at Meharry Medical College. Responsible for performing all aspects of Nurse Coordinator including, but not limited to, scheduling employees and ensuring schedules are followed; monitoring and tracking clients flow so as to maximize patient satisfaction and minimize wait time. Monitor and maintain sufficient inventory levels which would include office supplies, medical supplies, and medications for the residential units. Maintains highest standards in client care and employee/client communication. Effectively coordinates and supervises employees in performance of duties. Maintains Elam Center units and treatment areas to insure client safety/comfort and employee safety/satisfaction. Demonstrates and utilizes effective leadership and decision making skills. Responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, evaluating and continuously improving the patient care delivery system of the Elam Center.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitors/evaluates patient care through direct observation, patient/family interviews, and documentation/comparison to established standards.
• Effectively interacts with the therapists and Medical Staff to coordinate medical and nursing management of patient care.
• Maintains clinical skills by safely performing and correctly documenting interventions consistent with scientific principles and Center policy.
• Monitors the coordination of activities requiring services that impact in patient care tracking patient flow.
• Assists in referring clients to appropriate agencies when needed.
• Assumes role of patient advocate, demonstrating respect for the dignity/privacy of each patient; interacts in a courteous/friendly manner.
• Effectively responds to crisis/emergency situations, assisting staff to prevent client deterioration by early intervention.
• Assists and guides staff in identifying the health care needs of clients and make appropriate referrals.
• Provides clinical and administrative instruction to staff and acts as a role model, teacher and resource person.
• Assesses the effectiveness of staff performance and completes performance evaluations in a timely manner.
• Provides for professional growth and development of staff through identification of needs and encourages education efforts.
• Actively participates in the recruitment, interviewing and selection of staff for the residential units of the Center.
• Plans, maintains and monitors appropriate staff scheduling including dissemination of information and maintain documentation; skill mix; meeting the patient care requirements according to acuity level.
• Collaborates with ancillary services to provide a safe, clean and secure environment for clients, staff and visitors.
• Assesses, evaluates, and makes recommendations for the facilities management and equipment needs; monitors to insure appropriate utilization of equipment and supplies. Maintains and monitors inventory.
• Identifies, assesses and investigates occurrences and insures proper documentation and responds to any follow-up actions.
• Identifies appropriate aspects of care to audit and promote staff participation in quality improvement activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to communicate clearly by phone or in person.
• Knowledge and thorough understanding of medical office procedures.
• Knowledge of confidentiality and release of information.
• Ability to work under pressure
• Sufficient knowledge of insurance plans to correctly assess need for prior to authorization of procedures, referrals and to interpret patient financial information

• Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing. BSN preferred but not required. Will consider strong candidate with ASN. Five (5) years RN experience in a patient care setting with progressive supervisory experience acceptable.
• Must be currently licensed as a RN nurse in the State of Tennessee.
• Must retain current nursing licensure in good standing.
• Must have a valid Tennessee Driver's License to facilitate local travel between the Elam Center and business related agencies.
• Current certification in BLS.

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
• Local travel between office and contracting and referring agencies may be required.
• There is a high risk to moderate risk of exposure to communicable diseases due to the high-risk population being served.