Healthcare risk management as a non-traditional RN career track
Healthcare risk management (HCRM) is a non-traditional RN career track and all the buzz among nurses looking for self-employment and/or business ownership opportunities. The National Nurses in Business Association (NNBA) has partnered with the Florida Institute for Health Care Risk Management Education who offers an affordable and high-value course in HCRM. The course qualifies registered nurses for eligibility to become a Florida Licensed Health Care Risk Manager. I recommend this course for all Florida nurses. After taking the course you will be qualified to apply for licensure. No further examination is needed. This course will make you more marketable in any field of nursing.
I asked Patricia Lewis, a healthcare risk manager and legal nurse consultant, to tell us a little about healthcare risk management. This is her answer.
A Healthcare risk manager’s job is to reduce the risk for financial loss and property loss by identifying risks and reducing or eliminating them. The field was first established in the mid-1970’s during an increase in medical malpractice cases. The majority of financial losses are in the health care setting and related to clinical care. Therefore, patient care issues are at the forefront of risk management programs and at the center of the healthcare risk manager’s responsibilities.
As a second area of importance, the risk manager must also be aware of employee and staff risk issues. In order to manage staff issues, the risk manager must keep current on laws and OSHA regulations concerning occupational injuries and exposures, as well as nonprofessional behavior, licensure, and competency.
Thirdly, risk managers may also be involved in property issues to protect them from losses due to natural disasters, or equipment failure or malfunction, as well as environmental safety for patients, visitors, and staff.
HCRM positions are available as employee status and also available as independent contractors. In Florida, for example, ambulatory surgical centers are required to have a HCRM on staff. A consultant (independent contractor) is ideal for this position.
Patricia Lewis
