ER

Clinical Leader Position

The Clinical Leader is a Registered Nurse and front-line leader, who in addition to providing direct patient care as needed, collaborates with the Nurse Manager to direct nursing care, coordinate resources for a specified unit, and perform administrative activities while providing leadership and support to staff. Under the direction of the Nurse Manager, s/he creates an environment conducive to maintaining established standards of practice and functions within policies, practice guidelines and nursing standards of Sturdy Health in accordance with the Massachusetts Nurse Practice Act, CDC and OSHA standards, and any other applicable regulatory or accreditation agency.

Education/Training:

Bachelor's degree in nursing

Licenses/Certification:

• Current Massachusetts state RN license

• All RNs must have current BLS certification

• ACLS is required with BLS for RN positions on the following units/departments: Telemetry, ICU, ED, Cardiac Rehab, Endoscopy, LDRP, PACU, Med/Surg

• NRP and Intermediate Fetal Monitoring is required with ACLS and BLS for RNs on LDRP

• PALS is required with ACLS and BLS for RNs on PACU and ED

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Minimum of 2 years of Clinical Nursing experience in acute care setting

• Excellent quality of Nursing Care as part of a comprehensive care team

• Excellent communication and customer services skills required.

• Successful completion of orientation and annual competencies.

• Must meet all criteria associated with responsibilities detailed in this document and the core/unit specific competencies for registered nurses.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

• Minimum of 5 years of Clinical Nursing experience preferred

Essential Job Functions:

• Must possess excellent interpersonal communication skills, command of verbal and written English; good organizational skills, and adaptability, creating positive relationships with patients and families, themself, and colleagues, including the nursing department and the hospital as whole.

Professional Governance:

• Collaborates and supports the health care team in the delivery of quality and fiscally responsible patient-focused care as evidenced by providing/directing nursing care throughout the life span with consideration of the aging process developmental and cultural patterns in each step of the nursing process.

• Facilitates an interdisciplinary approach to patient care, patient flow, staffing, resource utilization, and problem solving on a given shift.

• Monitors and evaluates the assignment of patient care to the appropriate nursing personnel based on patient needs and acuity level.

• Provides guidance regarding patient care and other job-related requirements.

• Participates in quality assessment and improvement programs to evaluate effectiveness of care delivered.

• Enhances unit behaviors through encouragement of education implementation of new concepts and technology.

• Provides leadership in the development of policies procedures standards of care and critical paths to promote positive patient outcomes.

• Collaborates on development of unit staffing schedule to provide a fiscally sound and safe staffing pattern which meets patient and family needs and expectations.

• Facilitates, stimulates, and evaluates human resources to provide quality, cost-efficient patient care by staffing the patient care unit to meet patient needs based on the ANA staffing principles or the appropriate staffing principles for the specialty area.

• Effectively utilizes resources to develop cost efficient delivery of high-quality services and patient care.

• Documents and communicates staff performance with recommendations for quality and growth.

• Identifies and resolves nursing care conflicts related to the unit.

• Collaborates with Nursing Faculty and students to meet educational needs.

• Participates in the staff recruitment and retention process.

• Monitors and adjusts staffing and scheduling as needed.

• Contributes to the organizational plan for development of short and long-term goals by providing unit leadership coverage in collaboration with the Nurse Manager directing and supervising unit staff and communicating the status of unit operations activities and issues to the Nurse Manager or appropriate discipline.

• Participates in unit meetings and recommends patient care/fiscal objectives standards and goals. Chairs unit staff meetings in collaboration with the Nurse Manager.

• Participates in the formation of policy, procedures and standards via organizational committees and compliance to regulatory standards.

• Collaborates with the health care team to foster communication with patients and family members to facilitate positive patient outcomes and discharge planning.

• Develop and maintain positive relationships across all areas of responsibility.

• Visibly demonstrate commitment to customer relations and all basic concepts of continuous quality improvement and preventing error from reaching the patient.

Clinical Practice:

• Provide timely, positive responses to the needs of all customers including patients, families, co-workers, and physicians.

• Collaborate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement individualized, coordinated and comprehensive care plans.

• Regularly assess and record vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure) to monitor patient status.

• Gather and document patients' medical history, symptoms, and current health status.

• Systematically assess patients for care needs, changes in condition, behavior, or response to treatment.

• Administer and accurately record medications (oral, intravenous, etc.) according to provider orders and established protocols.

• Independently administer nursing care, applying both simple and complex techniques and processes that are specific to the needs of the patient.

• Delegate care in accordance with the Massachusetts Nurse Practice Act and Sturdy Health guidelines.

• Maintain accurate and detailed patient records, including assessments, interventions, and responses to treatment as well as individualized nursing plans of care.

• Provide emotional support and guidance to patients and their families, helping them cope with the challenges of illness and treatment.

• Educate patients and their families about their conditions, treatment options, and strategies for maintaining health and preventing illness.

• Respond to medical emergencies, providing first aid and initiating appropriate interventions.

• Ensure patient confidentiality is maintained at all times.

• Utilize and maintain medical equipment (e.g., monitors, IV pumps, ventilators).

Professional Development:

• Remain up to date on current and emerging nursing practice.

• Ensure all licensure, certifications and competencies are current.

• Apply a growth mindset and maintain a spirit of inquiry.

• Develop employees by monitoring, intervening, and interacting when appropriate after assessing and evaluating the nursing care provided.

• Identify staff educational needs and works with the Nurse Manager and Nursing Professional Development to promote learning.

• Participate in the development and administration of annual performance appraisals and developmental goals under the direction and approval of the Nurse Manager.

Research and Evidence Based Practice:

• Incorporate and apply research and evidence-based practice.

• Ensure the highest standards of patient-focused care by assisting the health care team to achieve and maintain clinical excellence by remaining current on the latest concepts, techniques, and methods relative to areas of responsibility.

• Encourage staff to develop and implement new concepts and technology into nursing practice.

• Ensure compliance with research protocols.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Age and Diversity Related Criteria:

Consistently treats patients, colleagues, and visitors with dignity and respect, while being sensitive to the differing needs of all age groups, backgrounds, characteristics, and cultures.

Ability to Fulfill Job Expectations:

Must have the ability to perform the essential functions of the position, including required work hours, locations, and physical demands, without posing a direct threat to the health and safety of themselves or other individuals in the workplace, and with or without reasonable accommodation.

Physical Demands:

Must possess sound dexterity and visual acuity. Requires mental alertness, stamina to work in a fast-paced environment or in emergency situations. Ability to stand, sit, walk, bend, reach without restriction. Ability to lift, push, pull up to 50 pounds using good body mechanics. Must be able to push heavy equipment, stretchers, and wheelchairs. May be exposed to all patient care elements within the hospital setting. Must meet annual safety training requirements.