Clinical leadership is a critical role for ensuring patient safety in the surgical setting, and, in many cases, it’s a requirement of state and federal regulations.
This important responsibility starts long before the patient enters the surgery facility and well in advance of the application of general patient safeguards: right patient, right medication, and right surgery. It starts with making sure strong leadership is in place to direct patient care and ensure appropriate staffing to meet patient needs.

Choosing the Right Person for the Role

Make certain that the individual appointed to this leadership role has a solid background and has the clinical experience needed to oversee the demographic population you serve. In some settings, this individual may function in more than one role, so it is necessary to have someone who understands patient care and is given the resources needed to provide a safe environment and contribute to the facility’s success.

When you’re thinking about the responsibilities that go along with overseeing clinical care and the type of person you need to choose for the leadership role, it may seem like an enormous task, but remember that it can also be extremely rewarding to know you’re playing an intricate part in patient safety and contributing to the environment that allows surgeries to now be performed safely in the outpatient setting. Some essential duties for this hire may include staff scheduling, competency assessments, infection control and prevention, and maintenance of medical supplies and equipment.