SCR Hiring Guidelines

Hiring Recommendations

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

• Bachelor's degree required.
• RHIA, RHIT, LPN/LVN, RN, or BSN preferred but not required. Non-Nurses in the SCR position should have a mentor at the hospital that is accessible to help the SCR answer difficult clinical questions. The mentor should be an RN, BSN, MSN, NP, PA, or MD.
• Minimum one year experience in a hospital surgery department, surgery clinic, clinical research or medical records. Clinical chart review and abstraction experience required.
• Computer and Internet experience required.

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

Backup SCR Recommendations

In the event that your SCR is unable to continue in the position temporarily or permanently, the program requires that a backup 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 SCR, you may send a backup SCR from your existing staff for training.

ACS NSQIP Training

Before your site may register your SCR for the online 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.
• SCR has been trained in basic computer applications (e.g., PC functionality, Web navigation).

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

SCR Workspace/Equipment Requirements

Because of the confidentiality of patient information and the data collection work that the SCR 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

SCR 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 SCR has access to it. Some systems may require special permissions and training before the SCR is able to access them.

SCR Meeting Attendance and Participation

Your SCR must be formally introduced to both the clinical and administrative staff with whom they will be interacting. In addition, the site should facilitate the SCR’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 SCR

The SCR 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 SCR on an ad-hoc basis.

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