Emergency department managers coordinate care, oversee staff, set policies, and participate in the budget process. Nursing certification is required, and experience in emergency settings is preferred. They prioritize care and handle disciplinary actions if necessary.
An emergency department manager coordinates care in an emergency room. A facility may have multiple managers to provide full shift coverage, with each manager responsible for the quality of care on assigned shifts. A nursing certification is usually required to become an emergency department manager, and candidates may be viewed more competitively if they have graduate qualifications and experience in emergency settings. Some choose to specialize in specific patient populations and may work in pediatric emergency rooms or behavioral health units.
When an emergency department manager arrives at work, it’s common to have a quick briefing with the manager the previous shift. This allows the entry manager to find out which cases are currently on the floor and their status. The exit team can provide information that may be relevant to planning the move, such as awareness of an entry trauma case or warnings that severe weather conditions may cause an increased number of accidents. This allows the manager to decide how to prioritize care on the floor to ensure everyone gets treatment.
Much of this work is administrative. Rather than directly participating in patient care, the emergency department manager typically coordinates staff and makes decisions to keep the emergency room running smoothly. This could include bringing in more staff if necessary, overseeing the training of new staff, and working with staff from neighboring hospitals to facilitate transfers and disaster coverage. The emergency room manager can also set and enforce policies, including treatment protocols and ethical guidelines.
In some facilities, the emergency department manager participates in the budget process. This can include information about what the emergency department does, how many patients it sees on average, and what types of monetary needs must be met to keep the department operational. The work may also include ordering and monitoring supplies, hiring technicians to repair faulty equipment, and setting schedules.
If discipline is required in the emergency department, this team member can administer it or participate in meetings to discuss an adverse situation. Employees can be suspended or terminated for violations of workplace policy, including activities that endanger patients and employees or fail to observe confidentiality laws. If the department has special needs, such as large volumes of homeless patients or specific types of cases, the emergency department manager will also need to be prepared to meet these needs and effectively organize staff to address ongoing issues that may arise. .
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