RN Clinical Program Coordinator | Pediatric ICU

The Clinical Program Coordinator will coordinate nursing care and services for patients and family members in specific healthcare specialty encounters by telephonic, electronic, in person, and/or by mail. Will consult with physicians, and other healthcare providers to resolve health concerns.

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) previously awarded the Children's National Pediatric Intensive Care Unit with a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence. The three-year award marked an important milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and achieving a healthy work environment. The silver-level designation signifies continuous learning and effective systems to achieve optimal patient care and shows alignment practices with AACN's six Healthy Work Environment Standards.

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is a 46 bed unit. We will be expanding to 60 beds in 2027!

This unit serves as a regional referral center and is a designated Level I Trauma Center for comprehensive care to pediatric patients and their families. The PICU Patient Care Management Team coordinates interdisciplinary patient assessment and patient care and provided by pediatric intensivists and specialty nurses in conjunction with multiple specialty services within the Medical Center. Patients are admitted to the PICU from the ED, Trauma Services, the Operating Room, and transfers from in-house units as well as transports from other institutions via the Pediatric Transport team.

Trauma patients comprise about 10%-15% of patients in the PICU. These patients often have multiple injuries or severe head trauma. The PICU is also a Pediatric Burn Center and receives referrals from the region. Other complex patients requiring general surgery, ENT, craniofacial, neurosurgical and other surgical subspecialties are also cared for in the PICU. Medical patients comprise 50%-60% of patients and include children with respiratory failure, meningitis or seizures, sepsis, multi-system organ failure and chronically ill children. Children with cancer also require PICU care for complications that develop as part of the underlying disease, chemotherapy or following bone marrow transplantation. Services are provided daily, 24 hours per day.

The Division of Critical Care Medicine (CCM) provides services and care to all patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Specifically, care is provided for all patients in the PICU, patients within the hospital by request, patients within the hospital as part of all emergencies and resuscitations, and patients in the ED for "medical alerts" and "trauma stats". The scope of services includes resuscitation, life support, monitoring and treatment for life threatening events and diagnostic issues related to these items. Patients may be admitted to and discharged from the PICU based on pre-established guidelines. See section on critical care units.

The department utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to care, utilizing the services of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, respiratory therapists, social services and other support services necessary to provide quality care. Attending physicians providing care are board eligible or certified in Pediatric Critical Care. The PICU provides CAT (Rapid Response Services) and Code Blue team leadership to support in house clinical emergencies. An attending or fellow along with an ICU nurse and Respiratory Therapist respond to assist in clinical rescues of in-house patients. This service can also be activated by a concerned parent.

• Participate in/support Shared Nursing Leadership.

• Contribute to the sustainability and advancement of nursing excellence which translates into on-going Magnet designation.

• Participate, contribute to internal/external committees, professional organizations, community activities.

• Accountable to support/participate in the Division of Nursing's performance improvement process.

• Identify ,define ,and report on measures consistent with Nurse Sensitive Indicators (NSIs) for Ambulatory Nursing Practice.

• Integrate evidence-based practice and research into practice.

• Assist physicians and other professional providers to maintain appropriate cost and desired patient outcomes.

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance

• Plan to consult and collaborate with patients, families physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other professional colleagues; involve patients and families in shared decision making; advocate for patient and family; accessing relevant health services.

• Responsible and having the authority and accountability for clinical care for specific patient population and area workflow; develop pertinent goals based on patient response to illness, health promotion and program expected outcomes; implement suitable, evidence-based nursing interventions; provide careful and complete documentation of care provided.

• Use the nursing process in the clinic setting and in tele-health services to assess patient problems and concerns; critically analyze and integrate subjective and objective data.

• Provide health education based on the patient /family learning preferences throughout a patient's disease trajectory or health promotion; utilize expertise in cultural competency to enhance relationships, processes, and outcomes for patients/families.

• Engage opportunities to act in the best interest of the patient/family, building trust and confidence, while upholding moral and legal standards of due care.

• Coordinate mechanisms across systems, institutions, and community to provide continuity of care for wellness needs or health concerns; direct and participate in the development of patient care policies and protocols in order to advise and guide practice.

• Establish and maintain medical equipment and supplies, include a plan to promote safe and effective use of equipment.

• Ensure regulatory requirements are met and area is in a constant state of readiness in area of practice; keep update on the application of health informatics systems such as diagnosis and treatment technology linked to patient care.

• Apply knowledge of operations, financial principles, and resources to ensure quality and appropriate care services are delivered in a cost effective and safe manner.

• Responsible to enhance knowledge, skills and abilities in areas in clinical, legal, regulatory and cultural competence associated with patient population and community relevant care.

• Employ critical attributes of effective collaboration to create, promote, and maintain an environment that supports successful partnership and high performance team outcomes.

• Facilitate interdisciplinary patient care rounds/conferences to review treatment goals and optimize outcomes.

• Ensure time, schedule and alternate coverage accuracy in meeting patients/families care and personal needs; participate in cross coverage of other areas providing clinical care when the special needs arise.

• Direct the flow of patients and staff to assure patients are adequately managed and the care environment is running smoothly.

• Work in collaboration with professional staff including RNs, LPNs, PCTs and other unlicensed assistive personnel as manifested in the state practice act/guidelines and CNMC job descriptions.

• Communicate and escalate clinical/administrative issues as appropriate to levels of individuals assigned for resolution.

• Participate in the peer review for staff.

• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others' ideas and opinions

• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance