EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS/TRAUMA COORDINATOR

Position reports to: Senior Vice President

General Function

The Emergency Preparedness/Trauma Coordinator will oversee the coordination, education and preparedness of hospitals and health care delivery systems throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky as it relates to bioterrorism and coordinated emergency response. The primary responsibility shall be to ensure completion of the identified deliverables within the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) grant or other federal grants as they relate to hospitals and health care systems, and to work collaboratively with the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KyDPH), the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) and other necessary agencies. Additional responsibilities include planning and coordination of a state trauma system.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Emergency Preparedness

Coordinate completion of identified HPP deliverables and regional planning to ensure adequate emergency response in the event of a biological, chemical, or other public health emergency involving mass casualties.

Represent hospitals and/or the Kentucky Hospital Association on advisory boards, committees, and/or task forces related to disaster preparedness including the State Bioterrorism Advisory Committee and the State HPP Advisory Committee.

Represent KHA and hospitals as it relates to emergency preparedness and coordinated trauma care with external agencies including KyDPH, the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KyBEMS), the Kentucky Emergency Management Agency (KyEMA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and HPP.

Facilitate hospitals’ participation in the state’s voluntary trauma network.

Convene and facilitate quarterly meetings of the KHA Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Analyze available data and literature to develop informational resources on coordinated emergency response.

Attend meetings with regional planning committees at least quarterly.

Assist regional planning committees in developing, performing and analyzing exercises of their regional emergency response plans

Act as the primary liaison between regions and KyDPH.

Provide assistance to individual member hospitals with issues or programs related to Bioterrorism and Emergency Preparedness & Response activities.

Plan, implement, and evaluate educational programming on subjects related to emergency preparedness, bioterrorism, and other related topics.

Maintain and update the KHA Mutual Aid Compact database.

Participate in AHA conference calls relating to emergency preparedness and the HPP grant.

Represent Kentucky hospitals at regional and national meetings concerning coordinated emergency response.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Trauma

Work with KBEMS to develop a state trauma plan to improve delivery of trauma care

Coordinate with other related programs such as the state trauma registry, Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services, HPP regional planning committees, and local EMS

Identify potential funding sources and coordinate the development of grants and other budget requests

Facilitate use of grant or other funding for trauma designation, trauma system development and education and training opportunities for hospital and EMS staff

Assist facilities in seeking trauma designation

Coordinate regional planning for trauma management

Attend appropriate state/national conferences and meetings

Knowledge, Skill and Ability Required

Knowledge of hospital disaster preparedness, state and federal regulation, and standards for health professions and facilities

Knowledge of EMS/trauma system principles, state laws, regulations; EMS and EMS/trauma system funding programs and processes; trauma facility verification/designation; and the current standards regarding the appropriate clinical treatment of critical injury and emergency patients

Knowledge of hospital and community resources throughout Kentucky

Knowledge of hospital procedures

Knowledge of equipment used in a coordinated emergency response

Knowledge of infection control standards, policies, and procedures

Capabilities in project planning, implementation, & evaluation

Computer skills utilizing spreadsheet and database software

Skills in organizational assessment and strategic planning

Ability to think analytically and possess exceptional oral and written communication skills

Ability to develop long-range plans for highly technical programs and to measure achievement of established goals

Ability to work with little supervision

Ability to make presentations before groups in an effective manner

Ability to travel extensively as required

Education and Experience Required

Bachelor’s Degree from accredited college or university. Master’s Degree,RN or EMTpreferred.

Minimum of five years experience in emergency response and/or trauma response planning and implementation.