Bariatric Program Coordinator

Chesapeake Regional Healthcare•Chesapeake, VA

About The Position

The Bariatric Program Coordinator is accountable for the clinical development and coordination of the accredited bariatric program and related bariatric weight-loss services. The Coordinator provides clinical leadership and strategic guidance, develops quality-improvement strategies, enhances program components, educates patients, and develops support mechanisms and postoperative follow-up. As the program’s clinical expert and accreditation liaison, the Coordinator directs the program in accordance with current accreditation requirements and clinical practice guidelines, delegates care to qualified healthcare team members, and coordinates work among professional disciplines. The role oversees day-to-day operations and accreditation compliance, patient care management, quality and performance improvement, stakeholder education, and human-resource-related activities. The Coordinator works collaboratively with the multidisciplinary care team and serves as a resource to CRMC departments, staff, physicians, and the community. The position also supports the medical weight-management program. The role reports to the Director of Operations, CRMG, and supervises the Bariatric Dietician, Bariatric Clinical Reviewer, Bariatric Educator, and Medical Weight Management. Minimum education is Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse. The position requires four years of experience in a hospital or other clinical setting in a coordinator or leadership role. Bariatric experience is preferred. Bariatric Nurse certification is preferred, or the candidate must be willing to obtain it.

Requirements

Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.
Four years of experience in a hospital or other clinical setting in a coordinator or leadership role.
Certification as a Bariatric Nurse or willingness to obtain certification.
Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodations available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with bariatrics.
Computer skills and knowledge of medical records.
Certification as a Bariatric Nurse.

Responsibilities

Monitor bariatric program processes and organize the components of the bariatric and medical weight-management programs.
Assist with budget preparation and meet weekly with the Bariatric Medical Director.
Serve as the hospital’s bariatric program accreditation expert and comply with MBSAQIP standards and guidelines.
Complete re-accreditation documentation and maintain bariatric surgeons’ call schedules.
Ensure program processes and nursing care follow current accreditation standards, guidelines, and amendments.
Use patient-care pathways for bariatric surgical patients and coordinate patient information seminars, support groups, and presurgical education.
Provide resources to potential and presurgical patients and assist them in meeting surgery requirements, including directing them to consultations required by the treating physician.
Develop individualized multidisciplinary plans of care with patients and, at their request, others involved in their care.
Complete and document presurgical nursing physical assessments, including patient history, medications, vital signs, height, weight, BMI, and specific measurements.
Communicate patient information to members of the multidisciplinary care team and assist with or provide documented follow-up care plans for bariatric surgery patients.
Maintain and document feedback, using it to improve the program and patient outcomes.
Collaborate with nurse managers, physicians, dietitians, exercise physiologists, and other care-team members and CRMC staff.
Develop quality-improvement strategies and a quality matrix; chair the Bariatric QA Committee and ensure it meets bi-monthly with transparent data.
Report quality-matrix results and outliers to OSQC according to assigned reporting periods and continually assess the program for improvement opportunities.
Conduct quarterly M&M sessions, requesting bariatric surgeon cases at least 30 days in advance, and consult Performance Improvement as needed.
Serve as an educational resource for departments and community outreach; coordinate education for CRMC staff and physicians.
Maintain and update evidence-based patient-care pathways, accreditation guidelines, resource manuals, the comprehensive bariatric surgery guide, policies, and protocols.
Work with nurse managers and educators to monitor and evaluate staff performance against standards for bariatric patient care.
Support staff competencies in bariatric patient care and provide annual in-service education as needed in collaboration with Clinical Nurse Educators.
Promote sensitivity to bariatric patients, compliance with policies and procedures, teamwork, communication, cooperation, and collective problem-solving.
Communicate CRMC’s vision, mission, and goals, including hospital- and department-specific dashboards, and support participative management.
Follow administrative protocols and use effective problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and negotiation skills.
Maintain constructive relationships, positive employee relations, and morale; motivate and mentor others toward excellence and address conflict promptly.
Demonstrate flexibility in work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care.