The falls prevention coordinator will work directly with community agencies and VCUHS leaders to develop, coordinate and implement comprehensive hospital-community based falls prevention programs across the region. Duties include proactive falls prevention training, providing resources and information to the VCUHS community and representing the VCU trauma center across the state. These programs include, but are not limited to, STEADI, Matter of Balance and other hospital community-based initiatives to reduce the burden of injury related to falls, particularly in the geriatric population.

Collaborates with patients and their families assessing risk and developing interventions, programs and initiatives to reduce both initial fall risk as well as recidivism.

Works with other injury and violence prevention program staff to ensure a comprehensive wrap-around approach to injury and/or violence prevention.

Ensures the comprehensive database of falls prevention initiatives and interventions is maintained; and, provides regular reports to the trauma center and organizational leadership on program objectives, metrics, and outcomes.

Essential Function:

Provides information and referral services for patients and families regarding needed education and resources.

Develops relationships with community agencies including Senior Connections, Alzheimer’s Association, YMCA, PACE, etc.

Researches, advocates and develops resources (senior connections, food assistance, adult daycare, respite care, etc.) and access for patients and family/caregivers.

Stays up to date on the latest federal and state entitlements, including eligibility, special needs plans, as well as Long Term Care Insurance and connecting clients to these programs when appropriate.

Maintains up to date log of community resources that support safe home environments and falls prevention

Provides planning and problem solving that promotes a safe home/community environment.

Plans and facilitates the “A Matter of Balance” curriculum to reduce fear of falling, stop the fear of falling cycle and increase activity levels among community-dwelling older adults.

Collaborates with community organizations and hospitals to facilitate and promote A Matter of Balance throughout Central Virginia.

Acts as a representative for VCU Health on regional and state coalitions.

Navigates RedCap and/or other reporting databases.

Collects data related to falls and falls prevention in the community.

Collects data post-A Matter of Balance classes and enters into databases.

Partners with Trauma Program Manager, Injury and Violence Prevention Program Directors and Trauma Registry Operations Coordinator to create meaningful data reports.

Collaborates with program evaluators to monitor and assess performance in relation to stated program objectives. Responsible for data, grants management, and other reporting.

Attends all Trauma Center Injury and Violence Prevention Program (IVPP) meetings and reports metrics related to Fall Prevention Initiatives through the Trauma Center’s Injury Prevention Program

Work with IVPP team members to educate and identify elder concerns that occur across the continuum of all IVPP programs i.e. elder abuse, lack of elder resources and other issues.

Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements employment:

Clinical licensure required by the State of Virginia as applicable to education.

Experience REQUIRED:
Prior working experience with geriatric population, caregivers and connecting them to community resources

Experience PREFERRED
2-3 years experience working with complex adult and geriatric patient populations in the community (home, assisted living facility, intermediate living facility, daycare, etc.). Experience in hospital education preferred

Experience analyzing data and developing reports

Experience with databases/data management

Prior experience with injury prevention/intervention initiatives

Education/training REQUIRED:
Bachelor’s Degree in Gerontology, Nursing, Social Work or health counseling/education

Physical Requirements (includes use of assistance devices as appropriate):
Physical Lifting 20-50 lbs.
Activities: Prolonged standing, Prolonged sitting
Mental/Sensory, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical thinking
Emotional: Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Able to adapt to frequent change

This position supports the Trauma Center's Hospital-Community based Falls Prevention and Intervention initiatives.

Varies by Need (United States of America)

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.