Neurology Clinical Nurse Coordinator (Part-Time)

General Summary of Position:

Coordinates Muscular Dystrophy Association/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (MDA/ALSA)programs of the Department of Neurology. Facilitates the operational management and administration of those activities which promote the delivery of safe, efficient and therapeutically effective care to an ambulatory population. Provides direct and indirect patient care utilizing the nursing process to assist with patient care for the MDA/ALSA service, under the supervision of the attending physicians. Provides patient and family education, facilitates QA/QI activities, in-service for nursing and non-nursing personnel, and assists with research protocols as indicated. These functions are performed in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and Georgetown University Hospital’s philosophy, policies, procedures and standards.

Qualifications:

• EDUCATION AND OR TRAINING REQUIRED: B.S. Nursing and Basic Life Support required. MS Nursing preferred.
• LICENSURE AND OR CERTIFICATION: Current R.N. licensure in the District of Columbia.
• EXPERIENCE: Minimum three to five years of patient care experience, preferably in Neurology (nursing), involving supervising nursing staff and designing, implementing and monitoring policies and procedures relating to ambulatory care.
• SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES: Requires and experienced nurse, familiar with outpatient and inpatient settings. Knowledge and experience with a variety of neurological disorders, with an emphasis on Neuromuscular patients. Knowledge of medical equipment and instruments used to administer patient care. Skilled in the application and modification of the principles, methods, and techniques of professional nursing to provide ongoing patient care. Excellent communication and report writing skills. Ability to facilitate communication and treatment between physicians, ancillary staff, and patients. Strong personal computer and word processing skills.

Schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (8:00am - 4:30pm)

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinates and evaluates day to day patient care related operations of the MDA/ALSA program.
• Collaborates in the development of principles of patient care while maintaining communication with appropriate allied services and agencies. Promptly requests consults from other services when indicated. Makes referrals to appropriate agencies and/or support systems to facilitate patient well-being. Works with nursing administration and/or nursing service to facilitate and improve patient care. Serves as liaison for the Department of Neurology MDA/ALSA program by attending assigned meetings as a representative of the department.
• Provides patient care for patients in MDA/ALSA clinics under the supervision of Nurse Manager and attending physicians. Assists physicians with patient’s history. Performs general and specialized nursing care activities. Documents individualized nursing care for outpatients. Provides educational materials and instruction for patients and families regarding the diagnosis, treatment options and side effects, and prognosis of epilepsy.
• Provides patient care via telephone for patients in the MDA/ALSA Program under supervision of the Nurse Manager and attending physicians. Triages calls and coordinates with medical staff and/or other resource to ensure appropriate care. Returns phone calls the day they are received, obtains accurate information regarding patient’s care. Refills prescriptions under attending physician’s supervision. Documents phone calls and notifies attending physician of pertinent information.
• Identifies QA/QI indicators for service and participates in data collection and analysis related to indicators. Consults with appropriate medical staff to identify and reinforce issues related to modification in practice and standards of care.
• Assists physicians with various research protocols in MDA/ALSA by identifying candidates for research studies and assisting research coordinators.
• Maintains a database of the department’s chronic neuromuscular patients, with information including demographics, gene defects, certain symptom markers important for therapeutic monitoring/determination of new drug or clinical trial eligibility, etc.
• Provides PEG teaching, including site care, tube maintenance, tube feed administration details, troubleshooting
• Provides PICC line or Mediport maintenance teaching, troubleshooting if line issues.
• Ensures patients on medications requiring certain monitoring labs have these labs ordered/that we receive the results (particularly when they go to outside labs)
• Follows-up with patients on labs/results demonstrating basic common abnormalities (e.g. mild b12 deficiency with level 300-400, and to take a daily over-the-counter supplement), communicate results of no clinical significance/normal results to patients.
• Leads the department’s post-MDA/ALSA clinic group wrap-up sessions, to ensure our care team is on the same page for each patient.
• Pre-checks MDA/ALSA clinics, verifying patients are appropriately scheduled, verifying members of the care team necessary for particular patients are present for their visit (e.g. geneticist), obtaining outside results/records where necessary, communicating with the providers who are part of the multidisciplinary clinic regarding clinic schedules or anticipated patient needs.
• Coordinates flow of clinics, including keeping a list of recommendations from each of the providers seeing a patient, and wrapping up with the patient at the close of their visit, to ensure they have all necessary orders/materials and review how to proceed with each providers recommendations (e.g. how to get a modified barium swallow scheduled).
• Assists patients with coordination of their care, such as scheduling an appointment for an ordered study if they are unable to do so.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities that are appropriate to the position and area. The above responsibilities are a general description of the level and, nature of the work assigned to this position and is not to be considered as all-inclusive.

About MedStar Georgetown University Hospital:

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is a not-for-profit, acute-care teaching and research hospital with 609 beds located in Northwest Washington, D.C. Founded in the Jesuit principle of cura personalis—caring for the whole person—MedStar Georgetown is committed to offering a variety of innovative diagnostic and treatment options within a trusting and compassionate environment.

MedStar Georgetown's centers of excellence include neurosciences, transplant, cancer and gastroenterology. Along with Magnet® nurses, internationally recognized physicians, advanced research and cutting-edge technologies, MedStar Georgetown's healthcare professionals have a reputation for medical excellence and leadership.

About MedStar Health
MedStar Health is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for people in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation and research. Our 30,000 associates and 5,400 affiliated physicians work in a variety of settings across our health system, including 10 hospitals and more than 300 community-based locations, the largest visiting nurse association in the region, and highly respected institutes dedicated to research and innovation. As the medical education and clinical partner of Georgetown University for more than 20 years, MedStar is dedicated not only to teaching the next generation of doctors, but also to the continuing education and professional development of our whole team. MedStar Health offers diverse opportunities for career advancement and personal fulfillment.