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The Society of Trauma Nurses has released a position statement on "Qualifications and Competencies for the Trauma Program Manager". STN defines a TPM as, “a registered nurse with knowledge and clinical experience in the care of injured patients who, in collaboration with the trauma medical director, coordinates the interdisciplinary services and organizational systems necessary for optimal care of the injured patient, and oversees the educational, clinical, research, administrative, financial, performance improvement, and outreach activities of a trauma program.”
One of the most important roles within the trauma system is that of the TPM. STN, the recognized professional society serving TPMs, provides education and resources for TPMs and other members of the trauma team, to support the delivery of optimal and equitable trauma care to all people.
STN endorses the following statements regarding Trauma Program Managers:
- Trauma Program Managers (TPMs) play an essential role in the delivery of optimal and equitable trauma care to all people.
- Registered Nurses (RNs) are the professionals best qualified to serve as TPMs by virtue of their education, training, and experience, and whenever possible, the role of the TPM should be assigned to an RN.
- TPMs should hold a minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing; however, a Master of Science Degree is preferred.
- Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses (ATCN), Optimal Trauma Center Organization & Management Course (Optimal) and Trauma Outcomes and Performance Improvement Course (TOPIC) courses, developed and disseminated by STN, offer essential clinical and administrative education and should be completed by every TPM.
- Attainment and maintenance of the Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN®) certification, through the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) is one important measure of competency for TPMs.
- Participation in national nursing organizations, attendance at national meetings, and collaboration with organizations serving physicians and interdisciplinary professionals to communicate current evidenced-based care for implementation is essential to the TPM role.