GENERAL SUMMARY
Responsible for assisting the Clinical Nursing Director in the planning, delivery and management of direct patient care for an assigned unit/ group, utilizing the nursing process and adhering to the standards of nursing practice. Assists the Clinical Nursing Director in translating the philosophy, objectives, policies and procedures of the hospital and nursing service into effective action.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
CLINICAL PRACTICE
Demonstrates clinical expertise, integrating nursing theory and practice. Employs evidence based practice in decision-making and patient care.
Utilizes the nursing process for the delivery and management of patient’s care across the continuum of care appropriate to the developmental age of the patient population.
Collaborates with primary and associate nurses and other members of the health care team related to patient plan of care.
Mentors the nursing staff in the primary nursing role utilizing the principles of the primary nursing model.
Develops and monitors systems that promote and support primary nursing practice.
Interacts with staff nurses for the purpose of assessing the care provided and the nurses’ capabilities to provide care in changing circumstances.
Provides consultation to patients, family members and nursing staff as issues arise regarding the patient’s hospitalization or care experience.
Utilizes the quality assurance and performance improvement process to assess the response to nursing care from patients, families and others.
Uses clinical skills to provide ongoing assessment and evaluation of nursing care.
Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure patients’ needs are met and hospital policy is followed.
Maintains open communication with managers whose departments provide support services to the clinical area in order to ensure the appropriate level of service at all times.
Evaluates and communicates to manager changing needs of the unit, including staffing requirements.
Demonstrates the ability to be flexible, organized and function well under stressful situations.
Collaborates with other members of the unit management team in developing practice guidelines, competencies and unit specific procedures.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Communicates and consistently supports the philosophy and goals of the unit, department and hospital.
Supports the orientation and preceptor programs.
Assists in the development and implementation plan of performance improvement activities.
Assists in developing mechanisms for data collection related to quality indicators.
Promotes staff participation in unit and hospital committees/task forces.
Delegates appropriately to others in accordance with job description and competency level.
Supports the ongoing development of staff through coaching, mentoring and role modeling.
Collaborates with other members of leadership team in providing appropriate educational opportunities for licensed and unlicensed personnel.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Participates in and provides leadership to departmental and hospital committees as requested.
Assists in the development of practice initiatives through unit-based group activities.
Enhances own professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, keeping current with literature, inservice meetings, and workshops.
JOB KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Demonstrates leadership skills appropriate to position’s responsibilities.
Excels at demonstrating the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients in the relevant area of nursing practice.
EDUCATION
Master’s degree in a health related field, or other field with significant health-related course work desired. Bachelor’s degree required.
BLS Certification required
EXPERIENCE
Must have 3 years of demonstrated clinical competence in relevant area of nursing practice.
LICENSE
Current Massachusetts Registered Nurse license.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS
Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing / walking
Lifts, positions, pushes and / or transfers patients
Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching
Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases
Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances
Subject to varying and unpredictable situations
Handles emergency and crisis situations
Day / rotator or permanent off shift position schedule
Pay Range:
$47.30 - $78.04
based on full-time equivalent
