RN Total Joint and Spine Educator - Reidsville, GA

Optim•Reidsville, GA

About The Position

The RN Total Joint and Spine Educator coordinates and provides leadership in the continuous development of the Joint Program. The role works with Quality, Nursing, Surgery, and Physical Therapy to establish processes that support hospital quality initiatives for surgical improvement and leads coordination toward achieving Destination Center of Excellence for Joint Replacement and Spine Surgery. The educator supports continuity of care by collaborating with patients, families, staff, case management, and physicians on care plans and discharge planning. The role leads community outreach coordination and provides education to the orthopedic team on best practices and care for joint and spine patients. A minimum of 8 hours of orthopedic training annually is specified.

Requirements

Valid state license as a registered nurse.
Basic Life Support, ACLS, and PALS certifications.
Ability to develop policies and procedures.
Creative ability to develop education tools.
Excellent written and verbal skills.
Ability to teach and evaluate the clinical performance of staff.
Ability to teach patients and families and evaluate their response and retention of information.
Ability to write and speak English in an understandable manner.
Ability to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
Ability to function independently and work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
Must meet the facility's general health requirements, including a medical and physical examination.
Ability to push, pull, move, and/or lift at least 50 pounds to a height of at least 3 feet and carry or move that weight at least 20 feet.
Ability to assist in evacuating patients during emergencies.

Responsibilities

Develop patient and family education tools using discussion, printed and visual materials, and demonstrations.
Assess patient and family knowledge of the surgical procedure and recovery.
Develop tools to address patient and family knowledge deficits.
Provide and develop education and orientation for hospital staff related to joint care.
Work with the committee to develop standardized orders for preoperative testing, postoperative care, and physical therapy modalities.
Facilitate communication among patients, families, staff, and physicians as needed.
Develop tools to help staff improve patient care.
Develop close working relationships with surgeons to support program development.
Serve as a liaison with surgeons and staff as needed.
Consult regularly with each surgeon performing joint procedures to receive updates and improve care.
Consult with department heads regarding patient care improvement.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to meet individual patient needs before discharge.
Serve as a resource for all departments and personnel.
Participate in performance improvement activities.
Perform other duties as directed.
Exemplify the hospital's mission, vision, and values.
Complete a minimum of 8 hours of orthopedic training annually.