Clinical Nurse II, RN, Spinal Cord Unit

Join a Team That Changes Lives

People who experience a spinal cord injury often face significant challenges with mobility, self-care, and performing everyday activities. The Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program at the University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute is dedicated to helping patients achieve their highest level of independence through comprehensive, interdisciplinary rehabilitation care.

We are seeking a compassionate, skilled, and motivated Clinical Nurse II to join our Inpatient Spinal Cord Injury Unit . This role is ideal for an experienced registered nurse who is passionate about rehabilitation nursing and making a meaningful impact on patients' recovery journeys.

As a Clinical Nurse II, you will provide and coordinate independent patient care within a specialized clinical setting while serving as a fully effective and collaborative member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.

Position Summary

The Clinical Nurse II is the minimum role for all registered nurses with greater than 12 months of nursing experience. This nurse provides and coordinates patient-centered care, serves as a clinical resource to colleagues, and contributes to quality improvement, professional development, and operational excellence within the unit.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• Provide independent, evidence-based nursing care to patients with spinal cord injuries and related rehabilitation needs.
• Serve as an effective primary nurse and coordinate patient care across the interdisciplinary team.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care plans focused on maximizing patient outcomes and independence.
• Act as a clinical resource and mentor to nursing staff and interdisciplinary team members.
• Function effectively in unit-specific leadership roles, including charge nurse responsibilities as assigned.
• Maintain accountability for patient and family outcomes during episodes of care.
• Collaborate with physicians, therapists, case managers, and other healthcare professionals to address patient and family needs.

Service & Quality

• Participate in the evaluation and improvement of patient care delivery processes.
• Assist with the collection and analysis of quality and patient safety data, including handoffs, medication safety, and other nursing quality indicators.
• Support and participate in Performance Improvement, Evidence-Based Practice, and research initiatives at the unit level.
• Ensure compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC), CARF, and organizational regulatory standards.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and contribute solutions that enhance patient outcomes and team performance.

Unit Operations

• Support charge nurse decisions and serve in the charge role as needed.
• Promote effective interdisciplinary communication, collaboration, recognition, leadership, and staffing practices.
• Participate in the development and implementation of clinical practice protocols and standards.
• Engage in shared governance activities, including Nursing Education and Practice Councils.
• Support implementation of unit action plans and organizational initiatives.
• Introduce and orient Clinical Nurse I staff to shared governance structures and council participation opportunities.

Professional Development

• Serve as a preceptor, mentor, and coach for new nurses, nursing students, and other learners.
• Contribute to the development and advancement of ancillary staff through education and skill-building activities.
• Participate in educational programs, in-services, and professional growth opportunities.
• Support peer review processes and actively engage in providing and receiving constructive feedback.
• Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning and nursing excellence.

Work Experience

• 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
• Associate's degree required; BSN preferred.
• One year nursing experience. Solid knowledge and clinical skills.
• Current CPR certification required.
• Up-to-date status on all mandatory training and classes.
• Maintenance of 10 contact hours of education every two years.
• Member of a professional organization.
• Recent applicable clinical experience in a comparable setting.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Responsible for maintaining competencies required for the patient care setting; focus on advancing own professional development
• Demonstrates highly effective interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates leadership qualities through effectiveness as charge nurse, preceptor, or clinical resource
• Demonstrates effectiveness as an interdisciplinary team member.
• Ability to learn and use computer systems in order to manage patient information.
• Ability to participate in team-building efforts on units; supports and models teamwork.
• 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.

Patient Safety

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

• Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
• Reports adverse events and near misses by entering information in the Risk Management reporting system (UMMS safe) and to manager/designee.
• Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.