Bariatric Surgery Coordinator

Job Summary

The Bariatric Surgery Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and overseeing all aspects of the Bariatric Program, ensuring the delivery of comprehensive care and support to bariatric patients. This role includes patient education, staff training, performance improvement initiatives, and the coordination of preoperative and postoperative care. The Bariatric Surgery Coordinator works collaboratively with surgeons, hospital staff, and primary care providers to facilitate seamless patient experiences and optimize outcomes.

Essential Functions

• Coordinates all aspects of patient care for bariatric surgery patients, including preoperative clearance, testing, education, and postoperative support, addressing lifestyle changes, surgical complications, and patient concerns.
• Conducts patient follow-ups through phone calls, office visits, or support groups to provide individualized support and refer patients requiring additional nutritional or clinical assistance to appropriate resources.
• Organizes and leads pre-surgical education seminars and patient support group meetings, featuring guest speakers and informative topics.
• Develops and delivers comprehensive staff education and sensitivity training for all hospital personnel who interact with bariatric surgery patients, tailoring training based on staff roles.
• Collaborates with surgeons, their office staff, and primary care physicians to ensure timely completion of preoperative workups, insurance verifications, and seamless communication regarding patient needs.
• Creates, maintains, and analyzes databases to track patient outcomes, performance improvement initiatives, and trends in bariatric surgery care.
• Reviews patient care surveys and collaborates with the Performance Improvement (PI) Director to present survey results and insights to relevant committees for further action.
• Conducts in-service training sessions for new staff, ensuring consistent education on bariatric care protocols and standards.
• Monitors patient outcomes and trends to identify opportunities for improvement and leads performance improvement projects to enhance program quality.
• Serves as a resource and liaison for primary care physicians, offering education and support regarding the pre- and postoperative needs of bariatric surgery patients.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• 3-6 years of clinical nursing experience, preferably in the area of application required
• 2-4 years of experience in a healthcare role involving bariatric surgery, patient education, or program coordination required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of bariatric surgery procedures, patient care protocols, and educational strategies.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and engage patients.
• Ability to design and deliver effective educational programs for staff and patients.
• Proficiency in data management, analysis, and reporting to track outcomes and support performance improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with insurance verification processes and preoperative requirements for bariatric surgery.
• Empathy and cultural sensitivity when addressing the unique needs of bariatric patients.
• Strong organizational and project management skills to oversee multiple aspects of program coordination.

Licenses and Certifications

• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure required
• BCLS - Basic Life Support required
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support obtained prior to the end of orientation period required
• CBN - Certified Bariatric Nurse preferred