Trauma Nurse Coordinator - Trauma Center

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC, seeks a Trauma Nurse Coordinator to plan, coordinate, and evaluate the Trauma Center's Performance Improvement and Patient Safety Plan. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure optimal trauma patient care and regulatory compliance.

The role requires NC RN licensure, a BSN, and 3 years of trauma/emergency experience with strong communication and leadership abilities. Relocation options may be considered.

Qualifications

• RN license in North Carolina (unencumbered)
• ACLS certification, TNCC preferred
• BSN required; Master’s degree preferred in healthcare
• Three years’ trauma/emergency/prehospital care experience
• TNCC instructor or eligible within 18 months; national nursing certification preferred (TCRN)
• PALS or ENPC preferred
• Strong written and oral communication
• Ability to build positive relationships

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and evaluate the Trauma Center Performance Improvement and Patient Safety Plan
• Liaise with interdisciplinary teams (Case Managers, Social Workers) to ensure optimal trauma patient care
• Ensure compliance with Level 1 Trauma Center verification standards
• Develop and implement PI initiatives; monitor quality indicators
• Support and educate trauma staff; participate in research and professional practice committees
• Represent the Duke Trauma Center in local and regional forums

Skills

Registered Nurse

ACLS

TNCC

BSN

Master’s degree (healthcare)

Trauma care experience

Communication skills

Education

BSN

Master’s degree in healthcare

Job description

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Work Arrangement:

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Requisition Number: 273650

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Aug 12, 2026

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Duke Nursing Highlights:

• Duke University Health System is designated as a Magnet organization
• Nurses from each hospital are consistently recognized each year as North Carolina's Great 100 Nurses.
• Duke University Health System was awarded the American Board of Nursing Specialties Award for Nursing Certification Advocacy for being strong advocates of specialty nursing certification.
• Duke University Health System has 6000 + registered nurses
• Quality of Life: Living in the Triangle!
• Relocation Assistance (based on eligibility)

Trauma Nurse Coordinator - Duke University Hospital

The Trauma Nurse Coordinator (TNC) will work in collaboration with the Trauma Center Medical Director and the Trauma Program Manager to plan, coordinate and evaluate the Duke University Hospital Trauma Center Performance Improvement and Patient Safety Plan.

Serves as a liaison and consultant with interdisciplinary teams, to include Case Managers and Social Workers, for optimal care of the trauma patient. Works collaboratively to ensure patient needs are met and appropriate care delivery is coordinated across the continuum at the proper level of care

Work Performed

Performance Improvement 90%

• In conjunction with the Trauma Program Manager and Trauma Medical Director, ensures compliance with the American College of Surgeons standards for Level 1 Trauma Center verification.
• Develops, implements, and coordinates PI initiatives for the Trauma Center.
• Monitor all PI standards, i.e. audit filters, sentinel events, guideline adherence, variances, etc.
• Trauma Center
• Contributes to the development and continuous improvement of organizational systems in which plans related to the delivery of patient care services can be developed, implemented, and evaluated.
• Ensures that all primary, secondary and tertiary quality review is completed and documented in all Trauma quality indicators.
• Assists with development of clinical care guidelines with routine surveillance and reporting of compliance.

Clinical 5%

• Supports and adheres to Duke Hospital’s policies, procedures, philosophy and mission, applying customer service standards and excellence in attitude and behaviors in performing all job responsibilities.
• Act as a liaison between the trauma center and the specialty services caring for trauma patients
• Serves as clinical resource and role model for all associates involved in the care of the trauma patient
• Responds to L1/2 trauma activations during working hours
• Assess trauma educational needs and participate in provision of education for staff
• Actively participates in research and professional practice committees.
• Collaborates with the Duke RAC Coordinator to address performance improvement issues of the referring agencies.
• Represent the Duke Trauma Center and Emergency Service CSU in a variety of local and regional public forums, to include professional meetings and educational forums.
• May include pushing, standing, sitting, hearing, walking, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion.
• Frequent interruptions in workflow may occur.
• Must possess the ability to work under pressure and manage stressful situations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Minimum Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with a valid unencumbered license in North Carolina, Current ACLS, TNCC preferred
• A BSN is required with Master’s degree preferred in a healthcare field
• Three years’ experience in trauma/emergency/prehospital care.
• TNCC instructor (Or eligible within 18 months of hire)National nursing certification required, TCRN preferred.
• PALS or ENPC preferred
• Effective written and oral communication
• Able to cultivate and maintain positive relationships

Education

BSN required

Experience

3 years of nursing experience required

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

Current or compact RN licensure in the state of North Carolina required. BLS required.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market: Durham

Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.