SCNR Hiring Guidelines

Hiring Recommendations

It is strongly recommended that the successful candidate to fill the position of ACS NSQIP Surgical Clinical Nurse Reviewer (SCNR) at your medical center have the following minimum experience:

• Three (3) years of experience as an inpatient surgical nurse.
• Nursing Degree (required), preferred to be:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing; or

Nurse Practitioner; or

Physician Assistant Degree

• Familiarity with computers and the Internet.

Please review the SCNR Job Description for a full explanation of the scope, duties, responsibilities and qualifications of the position.

Backup SCNR Recommendations

In the event that your SCNR is unable to continue in the position temporarily or permanently, the program requires that a back-up plan be developed and ready to implement. If you anticipate a disruption in your data collection and ACS NSQIP participation due to a change in the SCNR, you may send a back-up SCNR from your existing staff for training. A back-up SCNR may be sent to training once per year.

ACS NSQIP Training

Before your site may send your SCNR for program training and prior to any data collection, the following agreements and approvals and basic training must be completed:

• All required administration approvals from a participating site must be identified, applied for, and received prior to data submission to the ACS NSQIP.
• SCNR has been trained in basic computer applications (e.g., PC functionality, Web navigation).

You will be notified about training dates and travel details once your site is ready to begin participation in the ACS NSQIP.

SCNR Workspace/Equipment Requirements

Because of the confidentiality of patient information and the data collection work that the SCNR must complete, it is important to provide them with the appropriate office space and equipment:

• Office/work space adequate for protecting patient health information
• Desk
• Telephone
• Locking file cabinet
• PC with Internet access
• Printer (network or dedicated)
• Access to copier
• Access to fax
• Office supplies

SCNR Access to Systems/Records Requirements

It is essential to identify where the information required to participate in the ACS NSQIP resides in your institution and to make sure your SCNR has access to it. Some systems may require special permissions and training before the SCNR is able to access them.

SCNR Meeting Attendance and Participation

Your SCNR must be formally introduced to both the clinical and administrative staff with whom they will be interacting. In addition, the site should facilitate the SCNR’s participation in the following meetings:

• Surgical staff meetings
• Morbidity & Mortality conference
• Interdisciplinary clinical meetings
• Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance meetings
• Infection Control meetings
• Pertinent administrative meetings
• Monthly one-on-one meeting with the Surgeon/Champion of the ACS NSQIP at site
  

Administrative Support for The SCNR

The SCNR will require on-going administrative help and support with some or all of the following tasks. Depending on your site, this may be a permanent, full- or part-time support person, a shared support person, or someone who may be able to help the SCNR on an ad-hoc basis.

• Scheduling meetings
• Travel arrangements
• Ordering office supplies
• Filing
• Data entry
• Mail