Open Forum

Good afternoon, 

I have interest in developing a ambulatory resource team to support primary and specialty clinics. I believe there could be benefits and metrics of success around staff satisfaction, time to fill vacancy rates, clinic access and innovation that may be appealing to our current workforce. Onboarding and expectations will be critical to success. I have experience with inpatient resource teams and wondering if any ambulatory practice leaders may have insight or recommendations? 

Thank you in advance for any guidance you might have.

Kind regards, 

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Ann Ealy
Clinical Supervisor
Kootenai Health
Coeur d'Alene ID
(208)625-3525
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Hi, yes, we've been developing RN's to these roles. I'd love to connect with you around these metrics! 

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Sarah Prysock BSN, RN
Manager, Clinical Governance
Sutter Bay Medical Foundation
Santa Rosa CA
(707)287-6737
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Hi Ann, 

I have worked into developing a very large float team that provides both clinical and clerical support to our practices. The team is composed of RNs, LPNs, MAs, and receptionists. They have been crucial in helping offices with vacancies, covering leaves, vacations, etc. 
I would be happy to talk this over with you! 

Rachel Geissler, RN 
Clinical Education Instructor
Float Support Team Manager
Community Care Physicians 

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Rachel Geissler
Community Care Physicians
Albany NY
(518)788-3986
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Are there any chapters in New England?

Regards, Terri


Original Message:
Sent: 4/19/2023 7:09:00 AM
From: Rachel Geissler
Subject: RE: Ambulatory resource team (float pool)

Hi Ann, 

I have worked into developing a very large float team that provides both clinical and clerical support to our practices. The team is composed of RNs, LPNs, MAs, and receptionists. They have been crucial in helping offices with vacancies, covering leaves, vacations, etc. 
I would be happy to talk this over with you! 

Rachel Geissler, RN 
Clinical Education Instructor
Float Support Team Manager
Community Care Physicians 

------------------------------
Rachel Geissler
Community Care Physicians
Albany NY
(518)788-3986
------------------------------

Greetings, Ann!
We have a robust float pool team of front and back office staff (LVNs, MAs, office associates), but have not previously included RNs. I'd love to hear success stories and lessons learned.
Following!

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Melissa Quaid BSN, RN, MHL, NE-BC
Manager Ambulatory Clinical Programs
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital
Emeryville CA
melissa.quaid@gmail.com
------------------------------

Hello,

We are just beginning a float pool in our specialty clinics and are struggling with training for nurses. Most are being transferred from injection clinics developed for Covid (most of them without previous RN experience). Most do not have inpatient experience either. Ideally float RNs would be well versed in the clinic workflow and not float from department to another for 6 months. I strongly believe that these nurses need to think on their feet, have excellent communication skills, know their limitations, how to quickly access resources, and strong critical thinking skills. I would recommend building competencies around these areas and develop float training program. I will be following this discussion and let you know how things develop. 

Question: Are there qualifications for this nurse position in your organization?

Appreciated, 

  

------------------------------
Lorraine Macierz, MSN, BSN, RN
CN lll
Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System
Gilroy, CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 6/18/2023 3:34:00 AM
From: Lorraine Macierz
Subject: RE: Ambulatory resource team (float pool)

Hello,

We are just beginning a float pool in our specialty clinics and are struggling with training for nurses. Most are being transferred from injection clinics developed for Covid (most of them without previous RN experience). Most do not have inpatient experience either. Ideally float RNs would be well versed in the clinic workflow and not float from department to another for 6 months. I strongly believe that these nurses need to think on their feet, have excellent communication skills, know their limitations, how to quickly access resources, and strong critical thinking skills. I would recommend building competencies around these areas and develop float training program. I will be following this discussion and let you know how things develop. 

Question: Are there qualifications for this nurse position in your organization?

Appreciated, 

  

------------------------------
Lorraine Macierz, MSN, BSN, RN
CN lll
Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System
Gilroy, CA
------------------------------

In the past we have had float RNs in the sub-specialties.  Our most successful way of implementing this team was to train them in an aggregate of sub-specialties.  For example, one RN was fully trained in two sub-specialties or maybe 3.  Then the nurse could be more of an expert in those few areas.  Taking on all subspecialties, led us to the RN not really being fully prepared to help when he or she was in an office.  Hope this helps. 

------------------------------
Annette
Annette Hamlin, MSN, Ed., AMB-BC, RN
Nursing Professional Development Specialist
Ambulatory, Medical/Surgical Administration
Akron Children's Hospital
Akron, OH
330 618 6357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2023 08:27
From: Terri Seamans
Subject: Ambulatory resource team (float pool)

Hello,

I would think the training would be similar to a float pool on the acute care side. Training in each specialty area. The float RN would not be assigned challenging or niche patient populations. More orientation may be needed in those specialty areas. Not all Float RN's may be able to float to the specialty areas. This is what I have witnessed in a hospital float pool.

Regards, 

Terri Seamans, RN, BSN, AMB-BC

Original Message:
Sent: 6/18/2023 3:34:00 AM
From: Lorraine Macierz
Subject: RE: Ambulatory resource team (float pool)

Hello,

We are just beginning a float pool in our specialty clinics and are struggling with training for nurses. Most are being transferred from injection clinics developed for Covid (most of them without previous RN experience). Most do not have inpatient experience either. Ideally float RNs would be well versed in the clinic workflow and not float from department to another for 6 months. I strongly believe that these nurses need to think on their feet, have excellent communication skills, know their limitations, how to quickly access resources, and strong critical thinking skills. I would recommend building competencies around these areas and develop float training program. I will be following this discussion and let you know how things develop. 

Question: Are there qualifications for this nurse position in your organization?

Appreciated, 

  

------------------------------
Lorraine Macierz, MSN, BSN, RN
CN lll
Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System
Gilroy, CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 6/19/2023 8:25:00 AM
From: Annette Hamlin
Subject: RE: Ambulatory resource team (float pool)

In the past we have had float RNs in the sub-specialties.  Our most successful way of implementing this team was to train them in an aggregate of sub-specialties.  For example, one RN was fully trained in two sub-specialties or maybe 3.  Then the nurse could be more of an expert in those few areas.  Taking on all subspecialties, led us to the RN not really being fully prepared to help when he or she was in an office.  Hope this helps. 

------------------------------
Annette
Annette Hamlin, MSN, Ed., AMB-BC, RN
Nursing Professional Development Specialist
Ambulatory, Medical/Surgical Administration
Akron Children's Hospital
Akron, OH
330 618 6357
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2023 08:27
From: Terri Seamans
Subject: Ambulatory resource team (float pool)

Hello,

I would think the training would be similar to a float pool on the acute care side. Training in each specialty area. The float RN would not be assigned challenging or niche patient populations. More orientation may be needed in those specialty areas. Not all Float RN's may be able to float to the specialty areas. This is what I have witnessed in a hospital float pool.

Regards, 

Terri Seamans, RN, BSN, AMB-BC