The role and perspective of recipient transplant coordinator in Japan

The transplant recipient coordinator (RCo) has an important role in the clinical arena of organ transplantation for better patient management and successful outcome. In Japan, the step towards organization of RCo system has been in progress along with the increase of living-related liver transplantation as well as the start of transplantation from brain-dead donors. Considering its limited numbers and lack of national educational system, the Japanese Society of Transplantation recently has organized to start the new certification system for RCo setting prerequisites for application, educational programs and method of examination.     

The certification and recruitment of the procurement coordinator

In Japan, Japan Organ Transplant Network is responsible for the certification and recruitment of the procurement coordinators since April 1995. Individuals that have a medical license or are recognized to have similar knowledge, and who have passed an aptitude test including curriculum vitae, paper test, and practice assessment in an emergency unit, concluding in a recruitment interview are granted certification. As the Revised Organ Transplant Act has been enacted in 2010, we predict the rise in donors, and also the importance of the role of the coordinators. In the future, a governmental certification is desirable, and it is urgent to train procurement coordinators by a professional and systematic training program.     

The role and function of the HIV/AIDS coordinator nurse in Japan.

HIV/AIDS coordinator nurses (CNs) are key professionals in ensuring the provision of quality health care to patients with HIV/AIDS and to their families. Through this case study, the functions of the HIV/AIDS CN in Japan were identified, and an initial model of the HIV/AIDS CN role was developed. Four categories of responsibility were identified: (a) assessment, (b) diagnosis of nursing problems, (c) coordination, and (d) other related nursing activities. The category of other nursing activities included four subcategories. These were (a) consultation, (b) patient education, (c) expansion of the patient's support network, and (d) administrative or office work. These categories and subcategories contribute to an understanding of the role of the HIV/AIDS CN.     

The perioperative role of the neurosurgical service coordinator

At one institution, the development of a position of Neurosurgical Service Coordinator was implemented to expedite the neurosurgical procedures in the operating room. The position required a registered nurse experienced in the field of neurosurgical nursing, who could schedule surgical cases, train personnel, manage budgetary requests, and coordinate a department of 10 neurosurgeons performing 1,500 cases annually.     

The role of the course coordinator in a distance education course

Nursing schools are increasingly offering distance education courses to meet the changing needs of students. Few resources are available to provide direction to faculty coordinating a team-taught distance education course. The author describes the experience of a course coordinator in the development, delivery, and evaluation of a new course for RNs. Strategies used in course development, faculty, student and administrative communication, and resource coordination are presented.     

The role of a flow coordinator in an emergency assessment unit

This article describes the rationale and change management approach used for the development and initial evaluation of a patient-flow coordinator to the Emergency Assessment Area at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital. This post was established to improve patient flow and departmental efficiency in order to achieve the latest four-hour maximum waiting-to-treatment time directive. The working context, concept, process-mapping approach, core objectives and key functions of the role are all discussed.     

Negotiating the nurse research coordinator role

Ophthalmic nurses may be asked to be part of a research team. This article suggests ways the nurse can prepare for the research coordinator role and negotiate added compensation. Without preparation, the nurse's workload may not be adjusted to accommodate additional tasks and there may be a lack of remuneration. At worst, the nurse may fail to meet the expectations of the investigator and sponsor.Nurse research coordinators can learn new marketable skills, increase income, create opportunities for publications and speaking engagements, and widen their professional network. Sources of additional information about the research coordinator role are provided.     

The nurse's role as investigation coordinator in a drug research study

In summary, for a smooth running investigational study, the following are essential: 1) clear and concise understanding of the protocol and its criteria, 2) methods for subject recruitment and screening, 3) meetings with all involved ancillary departments and professional staff, 4) development and utilization of time-saving checklists, patient instruction sheets, and other forms, and 5) careful assessment and explicit documentation.     

The nurse clinical trial coordinator: benefits and drawbacks of the role

It has become common for nurses to be recruited into and/or seek careers outside of the traditional domain of hospital-based work. This article draws on interview data to consider a position nurses are occupying within biomedicine, that of the nurse clinical trial coordinator. It examines and analyzes the value attributed to such positions by nurse trial coordinators. The analysis reveals that nurses identify three aspects of the position-social relations, the acquisition of skills and knowledge, and work and control-as having both advantages and disadvantages over other work roles within nursing. It concludes with suggestions for further research on the role and involvement of nurses in clinical research.