Nurse Scheduler

Armor Health; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Armor Health seeks a Nurse Scheduler to coordinate nursing schedules across correctional healthcare sites and ensure appropriate RN/LPN coverage. You will work with the Health Services Administrator, Director of Nursing, HR, Recruiting, and regional leadership to meet staffing goals and maintain quality patient care.

The role emphasizes reducing overtime, optimizing PRN usage, and complying with licensing, HIPAA, and ACA standards.

Qualifications

• Associate degree required; Bachelor's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, publish, and maintain nursing schedules for RNs and LPNs.
• Ensure each scheduled shift is staffed with the appropriate contracted nursing discipline based on requirements.
• Coordinate schedule adjustments for PTO, leave, and orientation.
• Maintain daily nursing coverage and anticipate shortages.
• Coordinate replacement staffing with internal staff, PRN nurses, overtime, and agency personnel.
• Collaborate with nursing leadership to address staffing challenges and contingency staffing.

Skills

Scheduling

Healthcare scheduling

Communication

Time management

Analytical skills

Microsoft Excel

HIPAA compliance

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

UKG

Kronos

ShiftWizard

SmartLinx

Job description

Overview

The Nurse Scheduler is responsible for coordinating and maintaining nursing schedules to ensure continuous, safe, and efficient healthcare coverage within the correctional healthcare environment. The Scheduler ensures that all nursing shifts are staffed with the appropriate contracted nursing discipline (Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse) while maintaining adequate staffing levels to support quality patient care.

This position works closely with the Health Services Administrator, Director of Nursing, Human Resources, Recruiting, Regional Leadership, and PRN nursing staff to proactively address staffing needs, minimize overtime and agency utilization, and ensure uninterrupted nursing operations.

Responsibilities

Nursing Staff Scheduling

• Develop, publish, and maintain nursing schedules for Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs).
• Ensure each scheduled shift is staffed with the appropriate contracted nursing discipline based on operational and contractual requirements.
• Coordinate schedule adjustments for PTO, call-offs, FMLA, military leave, orientation, training, vacancies, and emergency staffing needs.
• Maintain adequate daily nursing coverage while anticipating future staffing shortages.
• Coordinate replacement staffing utilizing available staff, PRN nurses, approved overtime, and agency personnel when necessary.
• Collaborate with nursing leadership to address staffing challenges and implement contingency staffing plans.

PRN Workforce Coordination

• Utilize the organization's PRN nursing pool to supplement staffing needs while minimizing agency utilization and overtime.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with PRN nurses to maximize availability, engagement, and retention.
• Coordinate PRN scheduling in accordance with organizational policies, credentialing requirements, orientation standards, and facility procedures.
• Maintain ongoing communication with PRN staff regarding scheduling opportunities and staffing needs.
• Maintain an updated PRN availability roster and verify required credentials remain current prior to scheduling assignments.

Labor Management

• Monitor overtime utilization and recommend scheduling strategies to reduce unnecessary labor expenses.
• Monitor agency utilization and utilize internal staffing resources whenever possible.
• Balance staffing resources to support efficient operations while maintaining patient care needs.

Communication & Coordination

• Serve as the primary scheduling resource for nursing staff.
• Communicate schedule changes promptly and professionally.
• Maintain effective communication with:
• Health Services Administrator
• Director of Nursing
• Regional Leadership
• Human Resources
• Recruiting
• Staffing Agencies
• PRN Nursing Staff
• Participate in staffing meetings as requested.

Compliance

• Verify all scheduled nursing personnel maintain current:
• Professional licensure
• CPR certification
• Required annual education
• Security clearances
• Ensure staffing assignments comply with organizational policies, client requirements, applicable licensing regulations, NCCHC standards, ACA standards, and federal and state regulations.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.

Reporting

• Prepare and maintain reports including:
• Daily Nursing Staffing Report
• Vacancy Report
• Overtime Report
• Agency Utilization Report
• PRN Utilization Report
• Call-Off Report
• Staffing Trend Report

Provide leadership with recommendations to improve staffing efficiency and coverage.

Performance Expectations

• Maintain accurate and timely nursing schedules.
• Ensure all nursing shifts are staffed with the appropriate contracted nursing discipline (RN or LPN).
• Proactively identify staffing shortages and communicate concerns to leadership.
• Effectively utilize PRN nursing staff to minimize overtime and agency use.
• Maintain strong working relationships with PRN nurses to improve retention and availability.
• Produce timely and accurate staffing reports.
• Support uninterrupted nursing operations through proactive scheduling and workforce planning.
• Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, responsiveness, and exceptional customer service in all interactions.

Qualifications

Education

• Associate degree required; Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Registered Nurse (RN) preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years of healthcare scheduling experience required.
• Correctional healthcare scheduling experience preferred.
• Experience utilizing electronic scheduling and payroll systems.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of nursing staffing practices.
• Understanding of correctional healthcare operations preferred.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple staffing needs in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience with electronic scheduling systems (UKG, Kronos, ShiftWizard, SmartLinx, or similar).
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent sitting and computer work.
• Frequent telephone communication.
• Occasional walking throughout the correctional facility.
• Ability to respond to staffing emergencies outside normal business hours when necessary.