Stroke Program Coordinator

Major Responsibilities:

• Collaboratively develops and implements disease management protocols/guidelines that reflect the most current research and practices in the stroke patient. Identifies, develops, and participates in hospital and community programs related to stroke. Develops or revises stroke written plans of care and guidelines based on accepted standards of care and current research, in collaboration with physicians, nurses and other interdisciplinary professionals. Communicates guidelines and plans of care to the multidisciplinary team caring for the stroke patient.  In collaboration with the stroke Physician Liaison and Administrator for Quality and Clinical Integration, establishes clinical benchmarks and quality outcome measures. Participates in unit and hospital activities to promote service excellence. Develops education programs on stroke screening, education awareness and treatment options for both hospital personnel and the public.

• Ensures education for patients, families, and members of the healthcare team is provided and relevant.  Encourages critical thinking and problem-solving among staff members. In conjunction with education staff, identifies developmental educational needs of the staff and develops and implements the plan to meet the identified needs. Conducts ongoing assessments of knowledge and clinical skills of health care personnel caring for stroke patients.  Serves as a consultant to unit-based and house wide educational activities.

• Coordinates stroke care with patients and families during the inpatient episode.  Assures appropriate information is available to facilitate patient entry into the Stroke data base. Serves as a liaison between physicians, nursing staff, ancillary staff, patients and families to enhance continuity of care.  Serves as an ongoing resource person for physicians, nursing staff, managers and ancillary departments. Utilizes data base information to position to offer the best quality and most efficient stroke care to patients. Utilizes data base information to analyze quality and efficiency of stroke interventions in stroke patients. Assists in identifying appropriate candidates for outpatient follow-up. Oversees and coordinates the Survivors of Stroke support group. Coordinates and ensures that an initial baseline assessment of patients’ physical, emotional, mental, educational, psychosocial and spiritual needs occurs. Supports the inpatient continuing coordination of stroke patients’ care.

• Coordinates performance improvement efforts for the stroke program. Collects data on stroke care for analysis of the quality of stroke care provided. Reviews data for quality improvement opportunities and presents at Stroke Committee meetings, the Quality Council and other meetings as requested. Provides graphic representation and statistical analysis of data.

• Maintains clinical and professional skills necessary to provide services to patients. Keeps informed of new treatments and therapies utilized for stroke care. Stays abreast of current standards of care via literature, educational events, internal and external resources and internal/external networking. Participates in activities to enhance professional growth by involvement in professional organizations and continuing education. Obtains a minimum of 8 hours of continuing education regarding the care of acute stroke patients.

• Assists, coordinates, and participates in Stroke Support groups. Development of Stroke support groups as needed. Assesses Group needs and/or desires related to support activities and develops methods to meet needs. Utilizes available resources within Advocate Healthcare to address assessed needs of the group (Physician, Nutritional Services, connection to other resources, etc.) . Provides ongoing patient/family education, acting as an instructor, counselor, advisor and resource.

• Upholds the highest degree of customer service as outlined in the Standards of Behavior expectations.

• Facilitates continuity of care by acting as a liaison with other professionals based on individualized patient concerns or needs. Collaborates with physicians, nurses, ancillary staff, patients and their families. Maintains appropriate individualized system-based records, documenting an evolving patient plan of care. Seeks guidance and direction from the physician based on patient assessment. Acts as a liaison and performs informal marketing activities to physicians, outlining services available to their patients through the Site Stroke Program.

• Identifies grant and clinical research opportunities for the Stroke Program. This includes the following: Assists in identifying appropriate candidates for clinical trials. Works with physicians to identify patients that meet criteria. Provides timely communication of patients’ progress to the physician, as appropriate. Finds appropriate grant funding for development of the Stroke Program

• Coordinates strategies to ensure quality, efficacy and cost-effectiveness for the stroke patient across multiple settings. Maintains up-to-date information regarding resources that are available in the community and the health system for stroke patients and their families. Schedules services and visits for stroke patients in a timely, cost-effective manner. Serves as a case manager for all stroke patients, in collaboration with Care Management, through an interdisciplinary plan approach to ensure quality care, efficient use of resources and education on the entire continuum of care. Coordinates or completes stroke discharge phone calls.

Additional information:

• Monday – Friday
• 8 hr day shifts on site

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the team member practices.

• CPR NIHSS

Education Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 5 years of experience in ICU, ED or Neurologic nursing, and previous quality improvement experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Assertiveness skills
• Leadership skills
• Ability to work cooperatively with a multidisciplinary team
• Competency in communication
• Ability to motivate others
• Exceptional assessment skills
• May be required to cover weekends, holidays, and off shifts
• Computer skills including data entry and report generation functions.
• Database experience desirable​

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Travel to alternative care delivery sites is required.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.