Some risk managers, especially the ones who work in smaller community hospitals, might do some risk management activities, as well as handle safety issues and infection control. Most larger hospitals often have a safety officer who will take care of those things. This would also include the development of plans for systems improvement. A risk manager reviews and reports data from various sources, including incident reports, to identify trends. A risk manger will also do on-site assessments and identify areas to reduce risk.
Education is an important aspect of risk management, conducting ongoing programs for the staff.
Mo positions have included clinical nursing, management, staff development and case management. As a nurse, you look at things in a different way because you're used to providing care to the patient. Also, as nurses, we're used to juggling a lot at one time and that's what you have to do in risk management. You don't have to go through extra training but some legal training is helpful. Some risk managers participate in the management of claims and work closely with the defense legal counsel.