The RN Program Specialist in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is responsible for coordinating and implementing comprehensive programs across the facility. This includes overseeing resident coordination, patient scheduling and admission, inpatient and outpatient nursing care, staff education in specialized areas, and equipment evaluations. The role involves specialized nursing care and evaluation for patients with head and neck cancers or diseases, as well as oral & maxillofacial treatments. Key responsibilities include demonstrating advanced nursing judgment to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care aligned with medical treatment plans. The Specialist acts as a pivotal link between the Department of OMFS and other departments and external clinics, managing clinical and administrative communications. They also handle the pre-certification and preauthorization processes for patients needing diagnostic tests or surgeries. Proficiency in MS computer systems and institutional software, including Electronic Health Records, is essential. The position operates during standard clinic hours, with occasional overtime as approved. This position is supervised directly by the Department Chairman. Regular attendance is required to perform the functions of this position. Incumbent will maintain a customer-oriented awareness in acknowledging and responding to needs as they occur so that customer satisfaction is met at all times. Essential Position Functions & Duties 25% Management/Administrative Duties Coordinate medical, surgical, and ancillary services and discharge planning to begin at the time of patient admission, with appropriate alterations in the total care plans as indicated by any changes in the patient''s overall condition. Obtain proper information for pre-authorization of procedures and send to insurance companies. Scheduling of patients for operating room and faculty clinics Communicate with patients for operative procedures (outpatient/inpatient) prior to surgery to ensure that they are coming to appointments as scheduled. Coordinate surgical calendars and postings for faculty members. Communicates patients' problems with residents and attending staff. Attends monthly administrative and other required meetings. Develops and maintains effective communication mechanisms with staff, physicians, patients, families, and other departments. Assist in the supervision of activities in clinics to ensure that patients receive needed services, program requirements are maintained, and appropriate follow-up appointments or treatment are provided. Communicates patient problems with residents and attending staff. Call patients scheduled for operative procedures (outpatient/inpatient) prior to surgery to ensure that they are coming in as scheduled. Coordinate with nursing staff within the OFMS department and faculty clinic. Available to fill in to cover all nursing positions as needed. 20% Admission, pre-operative assessment, and care of patients at all facilities served. Provides as a liaison between referring physicians (both within and outside LSUHSC) and the OMFS Head and Neck Division of surgery staff. Obtains and assesses patient data, old charts, and transfer charts and determines their adequacy and completeness, ordering more records or data if needed. Performs initial evaluation of patients with clinical staff and/or residents. Monitors medications, fluids, and blood products according to protocols Administers intra-venous medications on physicians'' orders. Manages the scheduling of OR cases and post cases at LSUHSC and SMP Plans, develops, implements, and monitors weekly clinics. Performs pre-operative nursing assessment on all out-patients undergoing general anesthesia or IV conscious sedation in the Faculty Clinic. 20% Clinic care of Oral and Maxillofacial patients Monitors medications, fluids, and blood products according to protocols during IVCS procedures Administers intra-venous medication on physicians' orders. Determines, implements, and monitors the quality of nursing care for OMFS patients. Reviews nursing care plans for patients and makes recommendations as necessary. Coordinates pre-operative, post-operative, and peri-operative nursing care. Records progress notes on patients' charts. Orders appropriate admission, pre-operative lab tests, and pre-operative medications according to established pre-operative orders. Orders additional tests and/or medications as determined by the staff physician. Orders and schedules necessary medical procedures and/or diagnostic tests. Obtains medical history, past and present, and records in progress notes. Has authority to obtain blood and other cultures, as recommended by the infection control department and as ordered by physicians. Coordinates social and nursing services from home patient care prior to discharge. 20% Patient and Nursing Education Discusses with and instruct the patients and their families (pre-operatively, postoperatively, and peri-operatively) about the patient's illness, its natural history and implications, general aspects of the surgery, the immediate post-operative state, and discharge plans, including activities, diet, and other restrictions. Provides discharge teaching. Provides in-service to residents, interns, and medical students on an ongoing basis for each new rotation. Demonstrates awareness and adherence to safety and legal requirements established at the Hospital Administrative level Demonstrates awareness of and seeks ways to meet educational requirements in order to maintain current competency and respond to new clinical and management demands. Provides staff in-service education relating to the care of OMFS patients. Facilitates the use of problem-solving steps by staff Presents and participates in orientation and staff development programs 10% Outpatient Care of all facilities serviced. Answers queries from patients and/or patients' families, including the following: Being responsible for screening patients'' calls to surgeons. Having the authority to refer clinical problems for appropriate disposition. Managing routine matters not requiring a physician''s attention. Calls in prescriptions. Schedules outpatient clinical appointments at the time of patient's hospital discharge. Schedules out-patient initial and follow-up appointments routinely. Non-Essential Position Functions & Duties 5% Marginal Functions (5%) Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.