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Trauma Registrar - General

Trauma Registrar - General

This checklist was electronically signed on September 12, 2026

Instructions: This checklist is meant to serve as a general guideline for our client facilities as to the level of your skills within your nursing specialty. Please use the scale below to describe your experience/expertise in each area listed below.

Proficiency Scale:

1 = No Experience

2 = Need Training

3 = Able to perform with supervision

4 = Able to perform independently

PATIENT RIGHTS

Communicate and obtain information while respecting patient rights, privacy, and confidentiality of information in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
Involve the patient and family and respect their role in determining the nature of care to be provided
Meet patients' and families' needs regarding communication, including interpreter services
Provide accurate information to patients and families promptly

COMMUNICATION

Communicate with patients and their companions in a courteous manner
Understand the chain of communication, who to contact, and when
Listen actively to patient concerns and address them appropriately.
Cultural Sensitivity and Language Skills

GENERAL INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES

Universal Precaution
Standard Precaution

TRANSMISSION-BASED PROTOCOL

Contact Precaution
Droplet Precaution
Airborne Precaution
Reverse Precaution

DATA COLLECTION & MANAGEMENT

Identify trauma patients through various hospital systems (ED logs, admission records, ICU transfers)
Abstract comprehensive data from medical records, including pre-hospital, ED, inpatient, and discharge information
Apply accurate ICD-10-CM diagnosis and procedure codes to trauma cases
Calculate and assign appropriate injury severity scores (ISS, AIS, GCS, RTS)
Document comorbid conditions and complications accurately
Maintain complete concurrent and retrospective trauma registry documentation
Validate data integrity through quality checks and audits
Manage registry software with proficiency (specific to the hospital system)

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Ensure adherence to state trauma registry requirements
Maintain compliance with American College of Surgeons (ACS) verification standards
Submit timely and accurate data to the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB)
Document trauma center performance improvement metrics
Maintain records for the ACS verification/re-verification process
Track core measures for trauma center designation requirements

DATA ANALYSIS & REPORTING

Generate regular trauma registry reports for hospital leadership
Prepare specialized reports for trauma committee meetings
Create data visualizations to communicate outcomes and trends
Support research initiatives with accurate data extraction
Assist with trauma-related quality improvement studies
Identify statistical patterns and outliers in trauma data
Track trauma center performance against benchmarks
Produce quarterly and annual statistical summaries

COLLABORATIVE SKILLS

Coordinate with trauma program manager and medical director
Liaise between clinical staff and administration for data needs
Participate in trauma performance improvement activities
Communicate effectively with multidisciplinary trauma teams
Collaborate with researchers on trauma-related studies
Attend and contribute to trauma committee meetings
Work with the IT department on registry software management
Partner with quality improvement staff on trauma initiatives

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES

Proficient in trauma registry software (e.g., Digital Innovations, ESO, ImageTrend)
Skilled in medical terminology and anatomy
Knowledge of injury coding systems (AIS, ICD-10)
Competent in data analysis tools (Excel, Access, SPSS)
Able to perform literature searches for evidence-based practices
Understanding of basic statistical analysis methods

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Develop trauma registry policies and procedures
Create training materials for new registry staff
Design quality control processes for data validation
Implement process improvements for data collection efficiency
Establish best practices for trauma documentation
Develop strategies to maintain Level 1 trauma center designation
Create customized reports for specific trauma service lines

RESEARCH SUPPORT

Design data collection tools for trauma research projects
Assist with IRB applications for trauma studies
Provide statistical support for research initiatives
Extract and analyze complex datasets for clinical investigations
Support grant applications with data analysis
Maintain research databases separate from the clinical registry

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Maintain trauma registrar certification (CSTR)
Attend trauma registrar conferences and workshops
Stay current with ACS verification requirement changes
Network with trauma registrars at other institutions
Join professional organizations (e.g., American Trauma Society)

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Registry data completion rate within 60 days of discharge
Error rate below acceptable threshold on data validation
Timely submission of data to state and national registries
Successful completion of trauma center verification visits
Completion of annual continuing education requirements
Successful execution of trauma quality improvement initiatives

TRAUMA CARE SYSTEMS

Understand trauma triage criteria and protocols
Knowledge of trauma team activation levels and requirements
Familiarity with trauma center designation levels (I-V)
Understanding of regional trauma systems and transfer patterns
Awareness of trauma prevention initiatives and programs
Knowledge of trauma care guidelines and best practices
Comprehension of pre-hospital care protocols and documentation
Understanding of mass casualty incident protocols

CLINICAL KNOWLEDGE

Proficient understanding of trauma mechanisms of injury
Knowledge of critical care procedures and protocols
Understanding of trauma resuscitation procedures
Familiarity with trauma-specific surgical interventions
Knowledge of typical trauma complications and sequelae
Understanding of rehabilitation needs for trauma patients
Ability to interpret basic lab values and diagnostic results
Familiarity with trauma-specific medications and treatments

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

Track compliance with trauma care protocols
Monitor trauma patient outcomes against benchmarks
Participate in trauma mortality and morbidity reviews
Assist with loop closure documentation for identified issues
Support trauma performance improvement patient safety (PIPS) program
Help develop corrective action plans for identified deficiencies
Track the effectiveness of implemented improvements

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Maintain registry documentation and procedural manuals
Organize electronic and physical filing systems for registry data
Develop efficient workflows for data collection and entry
Manage registry budget and resource allocation (if applicable)
Track registry software licensing and maintenance requirements
Organize trauma-related educational materials

ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION

Allscripts
Care360
Cerner (Oracle)
CPSI
eClinical Works
Eclipsys
EPIC
MACLAB
McKesson/Paragon
Meditech
PACS
Quadramed
Soarian

AGE-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Newborn/Neonate (birth-30 days)
Infant (30 days-1 year)
Toddler (1-3 years)
Preschooler (3-5 years)
School-age children (5-12 years)
Adolescents (12-18 years)
Young adults (18- 39 years)
Middle adults (39- 64 years)
Older adults (64-79 years)
Elderly adults (80+ years)