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Job Summary:

The Stroke Program Specialist coordinates the care of and provides education to patients to ensure evidence-based clinical care, promote patient self-management and achieve optimal clinical outcomes. This position participates in and supports process improvement initiatives to achieve evidence-based care and organizational goals. The Stroke Program Assistant collaborates with and supports the Stroke Services Program Manager and leadership to ensure patient and program needs across the care continuum are met.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Assesses stroke care in the hospital, setting through real-time chart audits and observation to identify variations from stroke care guidelines.
• Partners with nursing, providers and ancillary team members to ensure:
  • Stroke care orders are initiated, implemented and interventions are documented.
  • Patient/family readmission risk factors and barriers to care are identified and individualized plans of care are developed.
  • Adherence to evidence-based clinical guidelines.
  • Development of a transitional/post-discharge plan of care to reduce risk of readmission.
  • Communication of relevant patients and plan of care information across care continuum.
• Performs real-time chart audits to ensure disease-specific education is provided to patients, families, and caregivers to support patient self-management and achieve optimal clinical outcomes.
• Collaborates with leaders, physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and support staff across the care continuum to ensure disease-specific patient and program needs are met and to facilitate improved outcomes.
• Assists with the development and implementation of protocols and processes to support provision of evidence-based care in defined patient population.
• Assists with the development of stroke disease-specific educational materials and trains Associates involved in the care of the defined patient population. 
• Actively supports and participates in meetings and other care initiatives that support management of defined patient population.
• Assists with regulatory reviews, as requested, to support hospital surveys and/or disease-specific certifications.
• Maintains competency of current evidence-based clinical guidelines for care of the defined patient population through avenues such as self-education, attendance of conferences and participation in local/national networks.
• Promotes community outreach by:
  • Facilitating monthly stroke support group meetings and activities.
  • Partnering with key stakeholders to provide educational updates.
  • Partnering with EMS to support stroke program goals through education, relationship-building and participation in community-based stroke initiatives.
  • Engaging in community health care events.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
   

Qualifications:

• Registered Nurse licensed to practice in the state of Virginia required.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.  
• Minimum of five (5) years' clinical experience in the acute care setting required. 
• Experience caring for stroke or neurologic patient populations required.
• Experience in stroke or neurologic rehabilitation, including post-acute care and transitions of care preferred.
• NIHSS (Bluecloud) required at hire.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills required.
• American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers preferred.
• Experience with root cause analysis and process improvement methods preferred.
• Experience designing educational tools and delivering educational sessions with patients and nursing staff preferred.

As an EOE/AA employer, the organization will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.

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Required

Physical Requirements: Constant (67-100% of workday) use of arms and hands; frequent (34-66% of workday) standing, walking, and sitting; occasional (0-33% of workday) bending, stooping, and squatting; ability to lift 35 lbs.; ability to push and pull up to 20 lbs.; auditory and visual skills to include color determination. 

Mental Requirements: Possesses critical thinking and analytical skills.  Ability to multi-task.  Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team.  Capacity to cope with difficult situations. Ability to tolerate irregular hours including evenings, nights, and weekends. 

Environmental Requirements and Exposure Hazards: Potential risk of exposure to radiation and toxic chemicals.  Potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens; must be able to wear appropriate personal protective equipment.   

“It is the policy of Mary Washington Healthcare to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability who are applicants for employment or Associates.”

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