RN Program Specialist - Trauma

Sanford Health•Sioux Falls, SD

About The Position

The RN Program Specialist supports the trauma program by analyzing and synthesizing data to inform clinical decision-making, business activities, and strategic initiatives. The role coordinates orientation and ongoing education, and contributes to trauma quality and patient-safety efforts through case review, event analysis, performance monitoring, and multidisciplinary collaboration. It helps ensure compliance with trauma center standards and promotes continuous improvement in patient care and outcomes. The specialist establishes working relationships with clinical and non-clinical partners, promotes optimal patient care through clinical activities and data analysis, and works with regulations for data collection, submission, and documentation. The role gathers and analyzes stakeholder feedback, shares results, assesses risks and benefits of alternative approaches, and helps secure decisions on resolutions. It requires strong clinical knowledge, effective education and communication skills, independent workload planning, adaptability, time management, public relations skills, and the ability to solve problems and manage relationships across the organization. The specialist works independently while remaining accountable to the department and organization, uses computer software proficiently, and performs other program-related duties as assigned. Some program objectives may be grant-focused. Grant administration duties may include assisting with post-award activities, maintaining grant and contract files, reviewing contracts, developing progress reports, and checking closed grants for completeness. Effective grant management involves project management, prioritization, planning, organization, and presentation skills. Specific responsibilities may vary by program area. This is a 40-hour-per-week position with an eight-hour day shift. The department schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with flexibility to schedule.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in nursing.
At least three years of clinical experience related to a specialty such as trauma, oncology, research, or critical care.
Current, unencumbered RN license with the State Board of Nursing where nursing practice occurs, or multistate licensure if practicing in a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Obtain and maintain department-specific competencies and certifications related to the specialty.
Strong clinical background.
Ability to educate others effectively and communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to plan and schedule daily work independently and adapt to a changing environment.
Strong public relations, time management, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to communicate across organizational levels and functions, maintain working relationships, resolve conflicts, and solve problems.
Ability to work independently while recognizing accountability to the department and organization.
Proficiency with computer software and strong personal and professional commitment.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from an accredited nursing program is preferred; examples include AACN, ACEN, and NLN CNEA-accredited programs.

Responsibilities

Analyze and synthesize data to support clinical decision-making, business activities, and strategic initiatives.
Coordinate orientation and ongoing training activities.
Support trauma program quality and patient-safety efforts through case review, event analysis, performance monitoring, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Help ensure compliance with trauma center standards and support continuous improvement in patient care and outcomes.
Establish and maintain working relationships with clinical and non-clinical partners, internally and externally.
Gather and analyze feedback from stakeholders and disseminate results.
Analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and help obtain decisions on resolution.
Plan and schedule daily workload independently, adapt to changing conditions, and resolve conflicts and problems.
Perform other duties related to program needs as assigned.
When applicable, assist with grant post-award activities, maintain grant and contract files, review contracts, develop progress reports, and review closed grants for completeness.
Apply project management, prioritization, planning, organization, and presentation skills to grant administration.
Perform program-specific responsibilities as defined in department documents.