Senior Registered Nurse (RN), Spinal Cord Unit

Job Requirements

$10,000 Sign On Bonus (not valid for current UMMS employees)

I. General Summary

This role is designed for the nurse who is a clinical and professional leader at the unit level. Demonstrates effective and consistent leadership behaviors in advancing evidence based practices, leading unit governance initiatives, and coaching others to achieve and grow in the role of the professional nurse.


II. Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. These are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

Clinical Practice:

1. Provides independent care of unit specific patient population; serves as Clinical Resource for others, utilizes and integrates evidence into practice, functions effectively in roles specific to unit (such as arrest team for ICU, triage for ED, etc).

A. Accountable to patients and families for the processes and outcomes of care during an episode of care.

B. Accountable to peers for the advancement of group practice on the unit, and to the nurse manager for the totality of work performance.


2. Serves as a clinical expert and professional resource for the unit nurses. Utilizes clinical expertise to teach nurses informally on the unit in a structured role or through formal teaching in classes.


3. Advances clinical practice on the unit, consistently integrates evidence into practice and uses this as a firm foundation for unit practice.

Service/Quality:

1. Leads efforts to address Nursing Sensitive Quality Indicators (NSQI) improvement opportunities; develops/implements and evaluates action plans.

2. Leads performance improvement initiatives by designing, implementing, evaluating, and disseminating results.

3. Monitors patient and unit safety standards; actively contributes to development and implementation of improvement plans.

4. Coaches CNI and CNIIs on PI and/or evidence-based practice.

5. Complies with, participates and leads regulatory activities in the unit/division or organization.

6. Leads in the development of Performance Improvement, or Evidence Based Practice, or research at the unit level. Meets at least one form of advancing practice in the continuum of research: PI, EBP, or research. Leads at least one primary project that uses a model as the project's framework. The selected model must be identified within the portfolio.

Unit Operations:

1. Performs charge role as scheduled; coaches new charge nurses.

2. Oversees unit orientation program Plans clinical experiences for orientation.

3. Serves as a unit steward such as liaison for lab, nutrition, pharmacy, etc.

4. Mentors and coaches other nurses to advance their development and to maintain competencies required for the patient population served.

5. Role models and holds peers accountable for Health Work Environment guidelines (communication, collaboration, effective decision making, recognition, leadership, staffing)

6. Orients nurses to unit level governance structure and councils

Professional Development:

1. Serves as an expert preceptor, coach and mentor to new nurses, students and preceptors


A. Mentors and coaches unit leaders or those assuming leadership roles on councils or major governance initiatives.

B. Leads unit processes for development of ancillary personnel's skills and development; leads unit based peer review processes.

2. Actively engaged in advancing own practice; role model for others.

Work Experience

III. Education & Experience

1. Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Maryland, or eligible to practice due to Compact state agreements outlined through the MD Board of Nursing, is required.

2. As of July 1, 2013 BSN or Conferred BSN degree required.

3. Current CPR certification required.

4. Relevant clinical work experience related to practice on the unit.

5. Maintenance of 20 contact hours of education every two years.

6. Member of a professional organization.

7. Must be at least a 0.50 FTE.

IV. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Current and active specialty certification, OR o Current matriculation or completion of a degree or certificate program (Post-Baccalaureate or higher, 12 credits or greater) within past 24 months, OR o Formal teaching (submit signed "Approval for Formal Teaching") within past 24 months, OR o Member of a professional association board or committee within past 24 months (not a hospital committee), OR o Actively participates as a peer reviewer for a professional journal (minimum of 2/year, submit signed "Peer Reviewer Validation Form")Demonstrated ability to assume a clinical leadership role. Demonstrated effectiveness as a multidisciplinary team member.

Ability to learn and use computer systems in order to manage patient information.

Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.


Demonstrated/documented highly effective interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills.

V. Patient Safety

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

1. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
2. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
3. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.