Where compassion meets innovation and technology and our employees are family.

General Purpose of Job:

Under the supervision of the Trauma Services Manager, the Trauma Quality/Performance Improvement Nurse is responsible for monitoring and reviewing trauma data while coordinating aspects of Performance Improvement and patient safety through multidisciplinary care of trauma patients. The nurse will maintain the knowledge and skills necessary to assess whether trauma care is provided in accordance with established guidelines, policies, procedures, and standards of care. 

Essential Functions and Behavioral Expectations:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; employees will perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and/or hospital administration as required.

The above statements should be included on all job descriptions.

List the job's essential or most important functions and responsibilities. Include all important aspects of the job -- whether performed daily, weekly, monthly, or annually; and any that occur at irregular intervals.  Standard functions listed below should be included on all job descriptions.

• Maintains the utmost level of confidentiality and professionalism.
• Adheres to DCH hospital policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates business practices and personal actions that are ethical and adhere to corporate compliance and integrity guidelines.
• Will respond to trauma activations in the Emergency Department, while in the hospital, and serve as a clinical expert guiding nursing care of the trauma patient and trauma documentation.
• Will participate in daily rounds with trauma surgeons on trauma-admitted patients as applicable.
• Collaborates with members of the multidisciplinary care team to ensure appropriate use of resources.
• Participates in the review of trauma patient care.
• Assist the Trauma Services Manager with the implementation and continuous development of performance improvement initiatives.
• Collects performance improvement data by performing trauma audits and assists with analyzing data for potential improvement
• Assists with the development and evaluation of trauma practice management guidelines or protocols related to trauma care.
• Attends monthly/quarterly meetings of Regional Advisory Council (RAC).
• Attends monthly Trauma Services Committee meetings.
• Assists with trauma data abstraction and uploads timely to the state registry, NTDB (National Trauma Data Bank), and trauma registry.
• Assess medical records from various points of admission for appropriateness of inclusion into the trauma registry.
• Interacts with medical record staff and trauma analyst to resolve coding inconsistencies.
• Maintains knowledge regarding state registry and NTDB.
• Participates in and helps coordinate professional education.
• Participates in Injury Prevention initiatives, as directed.

Education and/or Experience:

• BSN preferred
• Current RN license in the State of Texas.
•  Minimum of three (3) years of experience in the Emergency Department or critical care area, including experience with trauma patients.

Certificates and Registrations:

• ·         American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR) continuously maintained.  May onboard with AHA or Red Cross CPR and then transition to AHA upon first renewal.
• ·         PALS Certified within one year of hire
• ·         ACLS Certified within one year of hire
• ·         TNCC Certified, required within 6 months of hire and maintain continuously thereafter
• ·         ENPC Certified, required within 6 months of hire and maintain continuously thereafter
• Based on availability, obtain within one year of hire:
•                 -Trauma Outcomes Performance Improvement Course (TOPIC) or appropriate approved course that meets objectives of trauma performance improvement
•                 -Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM)
•                 -Abbreviated Injury Severity Score (AIS15) course