Job Description

A Clinical Nurse III (CN III), is a proficient and experienced clinician who consistently provides comprehensive care to complex patients using a high level of technical and organizational skills, critical thinking ability utilizing nursing problem solving processes, and demonstrates advanced assessment skills.

A CN III possesses an in-depth knowledge in all aspects of nursing care for a specific unit patient population and consistently applies specialized knowledge and skills in the management of nursing care for individual or groups of patients and their families. A CN III serves as the experienced mentor on the unit with the goal of further developing the staff to reach their full potential and works with their mentor to identify resources and people that will enhance their personal growth and development. A CNIII must select and demonstrate achievement of one of the three clinical advancement pathways (Clinical Quality, Education, Leadership) each year and consistently maintain specialty nursing certification approved by ANCC.

The scope of responsibility, duties and accountability at the facility department and position levels including knowledge and practice of the clinical/technical skills necessary to the position consistent with the Nurse Practice Act. Nursing job duties are to meet the Nurse Practice Act (state law that protects patients by promoting safe, competent nursing practices), Title 22 (Health and Safety codes), The Joint Commission (develops performance standards and accredits programs for hospitals and other healthcare-related organizations) and the Plan for Provision of Nursing Care and the Plan for Provision of Care to Patients, and other regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provides and precisely documents nursing process components and relevant interventions for direct and indirect patient care services that ensures the safety, comfort, personal hygiene, and protection of patients in a timely manner.
• Provides experienced care and patient education on disease prevention and restorative measures.
• Provides direct and indirect comprehensive care services to complex patients, including, but not limited to, the administration of medications and therapeutic agents necessary to implement treatment, disease prevention, or rehabilitative plan of care.
• Performs skin tests, immunizations, phlebotomy and the initiation of peripheral venous access.
• Observes, evaluates and expeditiously alters plan of care based on signs and symptoms of illness, reactions to medications/treatments, general behavior, and/or general physical condition.
• Demonstrates advanced assessment skills, integrating appropriate data sources to assess the signs, symptoms, reactions, behaviors, or general appearance to determine normal versus abnormal characteristics.
• Plans and implements individualized patient care in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams based on observations. Implements appropriate reporting, referrals and care in accordance with standardized procedures. Initiates emergency procedures when indicated.
• Provides care to special patient populations and patients with diverse cultural backgrounds. Identifies patient's readiness for learning and ability to follow directions/instructions and give consent.
• Makes special adjustments to patient care to the specific populations needs, including cultural, spiritual, age, psychosocial, communication, gender, sexual orientation, economic, education, family and condition needs.
• Identifies and assesses patient safety concerns with respect to age and developmental considerations. Intervenes to provide a safe environment and evaluates effectiveness of intervention for patient.
• Selects one of the three clinical advancement pathways (Clinical Quality Education, Leadership) where they serve as a mentor/preceptor/educator, leads a clinical quality or nursing research initiative to improve outcomes, or serves as a charge nurse or council chair and other related activities. Supports and/or provides constructive input during unit/department meetings and initiatives focused one improving nursing outcomes and the work environment.
• Provides assistance to co-workers, new staff, temporary staff and students.
• When assigned charge nurse responsibility, coordinates unit activity throughout the shift, including the authorization of incidental overtime, initiates chain of command as appropriate.
• Participates in at least 50% of unit meetings and provides constructive input to assist in unit direction.
• Functions as a change champion and agent and participates in departmental quality improvement activities.

Qualifications

Education

• Assoc. Degree/College Diploma Nursing - minimum
• Bachelor's Degree Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (state accredited program) - preferred

Experience

• 3 years Relevant acute care experience in their area of specialty - minimum
• 1 year Must be a Clinical Nurse II at CSMC for at least one (1) year, to be promoted within the clinical ladder. - minimum

Licenses and Certifications

• RN State License - Upon Hire minimum California State RN License
• Basic Life Support (BLS) - Upon Hire minimum Require BLS unless a higher level of certification is required. As required by your specialty unit.
• ANCC Specialty Certification OCN/ BMTCN - 1 Year minimum Specialty Certification
• Other - See Department Specifics - 1 Year minimum Other Competencies, as required by your specialty unit (ex. ACLS, PALS, fetal heart monitoring)