RN Clinical Resource Lead (MedSurg)

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Director of Nursing Clinical Leader, the RN Clinical Resource Leader is responsible for facilitating and coordinating patient care for the medical surgical unit in conjunction with the health care team. Primary duties include providing direct patient care and coordinating other staff's activities within the MedSurg department. Major components of this role include promoting and maintaining quality patient care, managing nursing operations, assisting in teaching nursing staff, delegating, communicating, thinking critically on clinical and operational issues, and enforcing procedures, policies, practices, and standards in accordance with TJC, federal, state, and local guidelines, organizational and departmental policies, and procedures. This position communicates with medical staff, other departments, and outside agencies while maintaining confidentiality. The position requires self-motivation, creativity, critical thinking, detailed assessment skills, and capabilities to function in a semi-autonomous role within a fast pace and dynamic environment. 

Standards of Performance

1. Coordinates all functions and activities of other nurses and healthcare professionals involved in patient care in the department during a designated shift.
2. Acts as an additional chain-of-command resource of MedSurg, covering for the Director of Nursing Clinical Leader during his/her absence, working effectively with the other departmental leadership.
3. Coordinates patient flow and appropriate patient/nurse assignments while being mindful of high acuity, potential discharges, potential surgical admits, potential admits, isolation patients and high falls risk patients. 
4. Provides effective mentorship and organizes new staff orientation to the MedSurg Unit.
5. Coordinates patient care with other healthcare team members such as physicians, Lab, cardiopulmonary, therapists, and social workers.
6. Assures that nursing staff provides patient care in accordance with hospital policies and procedures, established nursing standards of care and practice, and as defined by the state of Georgia.
7. Monitors staffing levels and ensures adequate staff coverage to provide quality care to patients. 
8. Establishes relationships with patients and their families to provide emotional support during illnesses or stressful situations.
9. Identify issues that put patients at risk for complications or readmissions.
10. Monitors patients’ health status and communicate with physicians about changes in patients’ conditions.
11. Reviews patients’ medical records to assess their progress or to identify areas of concern.
12. Recommends and implements courses of action, including training and development, conflict resolution, policy compliance, completion of performance evaluations and competencies, and/or disciplinary actions.
13. Provides the DON Clinical Lead with assistance in executing and monitoring adherence to new expectations and initiatives 
14. Provides recommendations related to interviewing, selecting, and training new staff.
15. Serves as a resource person for staff and models a commitment to the organization's vision/mission/values to support an unparalleled patient experience and clinical outcomes.
16. Meets with patients and patient families to ensure their needs are being met and resolve any issues or complaints that arise.
17. Study and support Joint Commission standards as they relate to the department and ensure compliance. 
18. Facilitate admissions process, ensuring emergency room to MedSurg bed within 30 minutes of provider order entry, unless otherwise stated. 
19. Ensures the MedSurg Department adherence to proper infection control, OSHA, and safety standards. 
20. Ensures staff participation in mandatory training and in-services when applicable
21. Provides educational opportunities and support for current and new associates to ensure transfer of learning related to competencies, unit education needs, new procedures or changes in practice, new equipment, and processes.
22. Conducts daily patient rounding, monthly staff rounding, and Lead shift huddle to discuss patient census and any potential issues.
23. Provides for internal control monitor mechanisms to ensure and enforce compliance. 
24. Continuously and actively participates in quality improvement and risk management programs at the unit level. 
25. Fosters the MedSurg Department as a positive workplace and promotes synergy in a calm environment with low noise volumes. 
26. Ensure excellent customer service; accept complaints and work with the DON Clinical Lead, Compliance Officer, and Risk Management to resolve complaints and issues. 
27. Participates in assigned committees and promotes Hospital/Nursing Unit Quality Improvement goals.
28. Other duties assigned. 

Minimum Level of Education: Education level equivalent to completion of high school and completion of Registered nurse training course of study. 

Skills and Abilities: Must have the ability to plan, organize, supervise, and coordinate medical surgical operations as a member of a multi-disciplinary team. Must have the ability to function in a highly complex environment; interpret, analyze, and present data of a complex nature. 

• Demonstrated ability to appropriately delegate responsibility with necessary authority without relinquishing overall responsibility and accountability for the delegated task. 
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems in a timely manner, develop effective resolutions to those problems and ensure implementation of the proposed resolution, confirm results, and revise as necessary.
• Demonstrates effective leadership skills, working effectively with clinical staff, delegating to their individual skill levels, and mentoring appropriate behavior.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

Licensure, Certification, Registration: Must have an unencumbered State of Georgia Registered Nurses License, BLS, PALS, and ACLS.

Work Experience: Three years of nursing experience, Leadership experience preferred. Critical Care experience and recent, specific experience with cardiac patients desirable.

Computer Skills: Advanced computer literacy with the capability to effectively use Microsoft computer software to include Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.