RN Nurse Clinical Leader, Acute Care, Full Time, Day Shift

Job Summary

The RN Clinical Leader is a leadership position accountable for the quality of nursing services delivered to the assigned unit. Oversees staff to ensure assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation and documentation of patient nursing care is in accordance with facility and departmental policies and in accordance with standards of professional nursing practice. The Nursing Clinical Leader (NCL) utilizes specialized knowledge, judgment, and nursing skills necessary to assess data and plan, provide and evaluate care appropriate to the physical and developmental age of patients on his or her assigned unit. Summit Healthcare core values, Service Standards, promotion of Patient Safety Standards and support of healing environment are exhibited in all aspects of the NCL’s performance.  Job function and shift assignments may vary based on organizational need and NCL education, licensure, and/or experience.

Essential Functions

- Supervises staffing and scheduling needs of the unit:

- Makes patient care assignments based on the acuity of the patient and number and experience of staff scheduled for the shift.

- Coordinates changes in staffing throughout shift. 

- Collaborates with House Supervisor to make patient bed assignments when applicable.

- Assures adequate staffing for next shift including finding coverage for sick calls, etc. 

- Completes all assigned departmental specific paperwork:

Oversees Unit operations, patient safety.

Enters incident occurrence reports, medication issues, shift activity, patient and family satisfaction issues, physician issues, acuity reports, outpatient observation charge sheets (if applicable), pharmacy supply requisitions (as indicated), and LPN oversight documentation and data collection tools. 

Participates in performance improvement data collection and chart review. 

- Assesses patient physical, psychological, social, spiritual, educational, developmental, cultural and discharge planning needs for assigned patients and oversees activities for all other patients on unit: 

Reviews patient initial interview and initial assessment with patient/family, assures completion within appropriate time frame. 

Reviews available information obtained by other healthcare team members. 

Reviews diagnostics and laboratory data and reports abnormal results to the physician(s) and other appropriate caregivers. 

Completes assessment and reassessment according to patient need and as outlined in policy and Standards of Care. 

- Formulates a plan of care, including the discharge plan, utilizing assessment data, patient, family and health team input for assigned patients and oversees activities for all other patients on unit:

Initiates a plan of care based on patient-specific needs, assessment, data and the medical plan of care. 

Goals for patient are realistic, measurable, and developed in conjunction with the patient/family.

Considers the physical, cultural, psychosocial, spiritual, age-specific, and educational needs of the patient and family in the plan of care, advocating for and supporting the patient’s rights.  

Responsible for optimal patient flow through the department. 

Collaborates with members of the multidisciplinary team. 

Reviews and revises the plan of care to reflect changing patient needs based on evaluation of the patient’s status. 

- Implements the plan of care through direct patient care, coordination, delegation and supervision of the activities of the unit staff.

Provides care based on physician orders and the nursing plan of care, in compliance with policies and procedures, standards of care, and regulatory agency requirements.

Promotes continuity of care by accurately and completely communicating to other caregivers the status of patients for whom care is provided.   

Assures all team members practice within their scope of care.

- Evaluates the patient’s and family’s response to care and teaching and revise the plan of care as needed for assigned patients and oversees activities for all other patients on unit.

Evaluates patient progress toward goals and expected outcomes in collaboration with other healthcare team members. 

Evaluates patient’s response and the effectiveness of patient teaching.

- Documents assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation in the patient record for assigned patients and oversees activities for all other patients on unit: 

Documentation is legible, timely and in accordance with policy.

Documentation reflects objective/subjective data, nursing intervention and patient’s response to treatment

Reviews and notes physician’s orders accurately and in a timely manner. 

- Promotes professional development within delivery of care: 

Maintains clinical performance competencies appropriate to the area worked as demonstrated through annual validations.

Participates in and attends internal and external educational in-services for continuing/ongoing education, including, but not limited to leadership training.

Incorporates, supports, and participates in concepts of shared leadership at both departmental and organizational level. 

Utilizes evidence-based practice or research within clinical practice.

Actively participates in performance/quality improvement processes including national nursing quality indicators.

Interacts with and participates in the education/orientation of hospital personnel, patients, students, families and visitors. Promotes/supports growth of others. 

Seeks opportunities for growth in the profession of nursing such as participation in professional nursing organizations and/or attaining specialty certification pertinent to the area in which they work. 

- Ensures code carts and emergency equipment is checked and functional.

- Promotes the Patient Safety Standards as a core value of the organization.

Other Duties

- Participates in greater than or equal to 75% of all department staff meetings, unit leadership meetings, and NCL/ASC meetings.

- Participates in hospital wide informational meetings and in-services, hospital wide forums, and seminars.

- Reviews department and hospital-wide policies and procedures annually.

Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Abilities

This position requires general nursing skills and knowledge of general office equipment (including the nurse call system, telephone system, fax machine, copy machine, computer, and commonly used hospital programs) as well as excellent computer communication, critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, supervisory, interpersonal skills, basic math skills, and the ability to exercise independent judgment skills when necessary. This position also requires knowledge of hospital equipment and programs, including all hospital information systems and department specific equipment. This position requires self-direction and self-motivation. Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

Supervisory Responsibilities

- Supervises staff performance and initiates critical conversations as needed.

- Communicates issues and concerns to department director. 

- Intervenes and provides resources in critical and crisis situations. 

- Mediates issues between staff members, physicians, and patient/family members. 

- Oversees compliance with staff hourly rounding and bedside shift report.

- Monitors appropriate hand-off of care.

- Researches and communicates to department director issues related to incident occurrence reports, medication issues, patient and physician complaints, and concerns identified by ancillary departments. 

- Mentors, coaches and develops staff. 

- Oversees the efficient functioning of the nursing care in the department. 

- Participates in employee evaluation processes. 

- Participates in leadership development activities.  

- Leads hospital/department initiatives as directed by department director, such as:

Monitors bedside shift report.

Participates in staff rounding for outcomes.

Delegates appropriately and provides nursing supervision in the provision of care to patients by other licensed nurses and other personnel. 

All decisions are made within prescribed operating guidelines.

Work Environment

At Summit Healthcare, our mission statement is that we are trusted to provide exceptional, compassionate care close to home. Our vision is to be the healthcare system of choice.

To uphold our mission and vision statements, we expect all employees to practice SHINE Behavioral standards:

- Always SHINE – show respect and be kind.

- Always work together – we are on the same team.

- Always serve others – no job is beneath you.

- Always maintain high standards of quality and safety – best practice every time.

- Always communicate clearly – be compassionate.

- Always practice integrity – maintain confidentiality.

- Always be accountable – take responsibility.

- Always empower – create an environment of success.

- Always excel – don’t settle for mediocrity.

- Always promote wellness – make choices for a healthy lifestyle.

Physical Demands

Heavy

Exerts up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects. The worker is exposed to contact with chemicals and infectious fluids, heavy lifting, constant standing, extensive close work, and extensive computer work.

Required Education and Experience

All Departments:

- Graduate from an accredited school of nursing

- Current AZ RN license

- CPR Certification %

Department Specific Education and Experience

Emergency Department:

ACLS * / &

PALS * / &

NIHSS &

SECURE

TNCC, ATLS or ITLS or other trauma course (with approval) ** / &

ENPC ** (preferred)

Professional organization specialty certification +

Baccalaureate in nursing +

1+ years specific unit experience

Dialysis:

ACLS * / &

NIHSS &

Home Health:

Arizona Dept. of Public Safety class 1 fingerprint clearance card

Current driver’s license

Current auto insurance

Professional organization specialty certification +

Baccalaureate in nursing +

1+ years specific unit experience

ICU:

ACLS * / &

NIHSS &

Professional organization specialty certification +

Baccalaureate in nursing +

1+ years specific unit experience

Med/Surg 2

ACLS * / &

PALS * / &

NIHSS &

Professional organization specialty certification +

Baccalaureate in nursing +

1+ years specific unit experience

Med/Surg 3 and Med/Surg Telemetry

ACLS * / &

NIHSS &

Professional organization specialty certification +

Baccalaureate in nursing +

1+ years specific unit experience

OB:

PALS * / & (L&D only)

Department specific stroke education

STABLE ** / & +

AWHONN intermediate and/or advanced fetal monitoring ** / & (L&D only)

NRP * / &

Professional organization specialty certification +

Baccalaureate in nursing +

1+ years specific unit experience

OR:

ACLS * / & +

PALS * / & +

Department specific stroke education

Professional organization specialty certification +

Baccalaureate in nursing +

1+ years specific unit experience

ASC/Preop/PACU:

ACLS * / & +

PALS * / & +

Department specific stroke education

SECURE (Floats only)

Professional organization specialty certification +

Baccalaureate in nursing +

1+ years specific unit experience

IV Therapy:

ACLS * / &

Professional organization specialty certification +

Baccalaureate in nursing +

1+ years specific unit experience

Imaging:

NIHSS &

Professional organization specialty certification +

Baccalaureate in nursing +

1+ years specific unit experience

Diagnostic Imaging:

ACLS * / & +

PALS * / & +

Professional organization specialty certification +

Baccalaureate in nursing +

1+ years specific unit experience

Oncology:

Chemotherapy/Biotherapy certification ** / &

Cath Lab:

ACLS * / &

NIHSS &

Professional organization specialty certification +

Baccalaureate in nursing +

1+ years specific unit experience

Occupational Health:

NIOSH

Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) certification

DOT drug screening certification

Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (CAOHC)

Cardiac Rehab:

ACLS * / &

Senior Behavioral Health:

NIHSS &

SECURE

Professional organization specialty certification +

Baccalaureate in nursing +

1+ years specific unit experience

* - Renewal may take up to 30 days after expiration of original certification.

** - Renewal make take up to 75 days after expiration of original certification.

& - Required within 6 months of employment, or at completion of orientation.

% - Certification required with 30 days of employment.

X – Required.

+ - Preferred.

OSHA Exposure Category:

OSHA Exposure Category 1

Involves exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.

This is a safety sensitive position.