Job Summary

Responsible for direction of patient care in the medical surgical setting. Manages staff members in the Medical Surgical Unit. Consults with staff, physicians and Nurse Executive on nursing problems and interpretation of hospital policies to ensure patient needs are met. Maintains performance improvement activities within the department and participates in CQI activities. Assists in formulating budget.

Demonstrates Competency in the Following Areas

• Responsible for the direction of the Medical Surgical Unit nursing staff.
• Ability to perform a head-to-toe assessment and reassessments on all patients as per policy. This includes: pediatric, geriatric and the general population.
• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and their clinical condition.
• Follows the seven (7) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure patients’ needs are met and hospital policy is followed.
• Ability to perform waived testing (point of care testing) per Clinical Laboratory’s and the patient care unit’s policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret the results of waived tests; takes appropriate action on waived test results.
• Ability to revise plan of care as indicated by the patient’s response to treatment and evaluate the overall plan daily for effectiveness.
• Formulates a teaching plan based upon identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning. Family is included in teaching as appropriate.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to physicians, staff, Nurse Executive and administrative team.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and family. Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians and other healthcare providers.
• Demonstrates ability to assist physicians with procedures.
• Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formulation of the plan of care.
• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly.
• Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
• Consults other departments as appropriate to provide and collaborate in patient care and performance improvement activities.
• Demonstrates the ability to be flexible, organized and function well under stressful situations.
• Maintains performance improvement activities for the department.
• Documentation meets current standards and policies.
• Provides education to staff on performance improvement. Ability to plan and organize orientation and inservice training for unit staff members. Participates in guidance and educational programs.
• Performs management activities including interviewing, hiring, evaluating, termination and departmental staffing scheduling.
• Maintains records pertinent to staff and operation of the unit. Prepares reports, i.e., utilization, performance improvement, outcome data.
• Participates in patient care conferences.

Professional Requirements

• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Completes annual education requirements.
• Maintains regulatory requirements, including all federal, state, local regulations and accrediting organization standards related to the Medical Surgical Unit and, as appropriate, to the hospital.
• Maintains and ensures patient confidentiality at all times.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled; completes work within designated time.
• Wears identification while on duty.
• Attends annual review and performs departmental inservices.
• Maintains standards of professional society procedures and ethical behavior.
• Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments and staff.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Attends committee, CQI and management meetings, as appropriate.
• Resolves staff concerns at the departmental level, utilizing the grievance process as required.
• Ensures compliance with policies and procedures regarding department operations, fire safety, emergency management and infection prevention and control.
• Effectively and consistently communicates administrative directive to staff and encourages interactive departmental meetings and discussions.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the facility, as well as the focus statement of the department.

Regulatory Requirements :

• Graduate from an accredited school of nursing, baccalaureate degree or current enrollment in a program.
• Current state Registered Nurse Licensure.
• Three (3) or more years of previous experience in all aspects of medical surgical nursing and a minimum of two (2) years supervisory experience.
• Current BCLS certification.
• Successful completion of arrhythmia course.

Regulatory Requirements :

• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Additional languages preferred.
• Strong written and verbal skills.

Skills :

• Basic computer knowledge.

Physical Demands :

• For physical demands of position, including vision, hearing, repetitive motion and environment, see following description.

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.