Operating Room Evening Flow Manager

Overview

As manager of the Operating Room Schedule, the Operating Room Flow Manager has direct responsibility for maximizing the efficiency of patient flow and controlling the transfer of patients for surgery. This role involves directing and monitoring patient flow in a high-volume OR setting with 46 operating rooms, 27,000 cases and over $50,000,000 in revenues per year. Decisions regarding patient flow and OR utilization impact resources and revenues.

The OR Flow Manager works with anesthesia, nursing management, surgeons, and co-leaders to determine, through critical judgment and decision-making, that optimum utilization is attained and maintained. The OR Flow Manager will promote a team philosophy and interdisciplinary collaboration among staff to support continuum of care for the perioperative patient.

At the Brigham, we value diversity and inclusion. Brigham Health and the Department of Nursing are dedicated to equity, aiming to reflect the diversity of our local community. We believe in equal access to quality care, employment and advancement opportunities across the full spectrum of human diversity.

• Directs the efficient flow and movement of perioperative patients from pre-op, ED, or inpatient unit, to the operating room, and then to PACU or inpatient unit.
• Establishes effective communications with nursing management, clinical support, anesthesia floor leader, surgeons, and hospital administration to ensure efficient utilization of the Operating Room.
• Ensures that optimum utilization is maintained with minimal overtime and additional staff. Recognizes that errors could result in revenue losses and increased personnel expenses.
• Track and communicate any actual or potential delays and trends to support institutional goals.
• Align nursing staffing numbers and skill set with surgical cases and volume at all times, with attention to 3:00pm, 5:00pm, 7:00pm, and 9:00pm.
• Utilize clinical knowledge and judgment to adhere to the OR schedule and minimize delays which can affect revenue and patient outcomes.
• Establish and sustain external relationships with ancillary departments (including but not limited to Pre-Op, PACU, and ICU) to assure smooth functioning of the OR Schedule.
• Develop and maintain a plan of organization that aligns with organizational goals.
• Monitor the accuracy of the Epic scheduling program and coordinate with Information Systems to maintain system integrity.
• Plan for additional staffing as needed and secure resources with consideration of budget impact.
• Implement and monitor adherence to personnel and departmental policies.
• Establish and maintain an environment conducive to high morale, staff fulfillment of goals, and optimum performance.
• Adhere to organizational escalation pathways for support as needed.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree required.
• Previous Operating Room Charge Nurse experience required.
• Master’s Degree in related healthcare, operations, or engineering preferred.
• Knowledge of patient care and operational flow activities, as described.

• Must possess strong interpersonal communication and negotiation skills to provide effective leadership and promote interdisciplinary collaborative teamwork.
• Strong analytical and organizational abilities to make effective decisions promptly while maintaining high quality care standards.
• Ability to prioritize room and staffing resources based on patient needs and established protocols.
• Must use clinical knowledge and judgment to prioritize patients in collaboration with anesthesia and surgery (routine, urgent, emergent).
• Uses expertise and judgment in determining appropriate patient placement and scheduling.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate, negotiate, and problem-solve with physician staff over scheduling and room assignments.
• Acts as a liaison between staff and physicians for appropriate resource allocation.
• Demonstrates fair and equitable practice in assigning staff, determining overtime, and contributing to performance evaluations.
• Promotes a customer-oriented philosophy among all staff within the area.
• Demonstrates independent judgment while maintaining effective relations with outside referring organizations, internal physicians, and departmental staff.
• Ability to work under extremely stressful conditions.
• Must be able to utilize computer applications such as EPIC.

The Operating Room is a stressful, high-volume and high-acuity patient care environment. Work is underground with no windows or exposure to natural light. There is possible exposure to infectious diseases.

Additional Job Description

The Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic…