Senior Registered Nurse (RN), Post Surgical (Med Surg)

Work Schedule: 3 (12-hour shifts) 7 a.m. 7:30 p.m, Every third weekend requirement

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. Utilizes the institution's care delivery and professional practice models as the frame of reference for practicing as a professional nurse. Participates in activities to develop own practice, and to support group practice goals at the unit level. Is accountable to patient, family and team members for care provided and to the nurse manager for totality of work performance. Is accountable to hold to the Service Standards and to the Nursing Mission, Vision and Values.

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. Advances clinical practice on the unit; consistently integrates evidence into practice and uses this as a firm foundation for unit practice.
2. Serves as a clinical expert and professional resource for the unit nurses; mentors and coaches other nurses to advance their development.
3. Provides nursing leadership in the development and implementation of unit level evidenced based protocols/procedures.
4. Develops CNI and CNII to effectively function in unit-based roles.
5. Models collaboration with interdisciplinary team to plan and coordinate care; models independent advocacy for patient/family needs.
6. Enhances practice consistent with unit operations to ensure safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, patient-centered care.

Professional Development:

1. Actively engaged in advancing own practice and models that practice in the development of others at the unit level.
2. Mentors and coaches others to achieve and maintain competency required for the patient population served at the unit level.
3. Develops, implements, and evaluates unit based staff development activities.
4. Demonstrates the ability to serve as trained preceptor and coaches CNIIs.
5. Leads development, implementation, and evaluation of unit based orientation and other education activities.
6. Develops, implements, and evaluates the skills and development of nurse support personnel.
7. Completes CE's on an annual basis based on facility minimum requirements.
8. Member of a Professional Organization.

Service/Quality:

1. Analyze and interpret unit-based outcomes associated with National Hospital Quality Measures,
2. National Patient Safety Goals, Quality Indicators, Nursing Sensitive Quality Indicators, and Facility
3. Annual Operating Plan.
4. Develops, implements, and evaluates unit efforts to improve quality, safety, service and satisfaction measures.
5. Provides unit leadership and produces some or all elements of research/EBP/QI.
6. Provides high quality, safe, patient centered care with focus on exceeding service expectations.
7. Accountable for compliance with regulatory requirements and holds others accountable; participates in tracer activities when requested.

Patient Safety

1. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
2. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
3. Implements policies, procedures, and guidelines consistently in the performance of assigned duties.
4. Develops effective working relationships and maintains good communication with other team members.
5. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.
6. Participates in hospital, departmental and/or unit patient safety initiatives.

Operations:

1. Mentors and coaches others in the function of the charge nurse role.
2. Provides unit leadership in development of teamwork.
3. Leads unit briefings/staff meetings as directed by the unit manager.
4. Leads and fully participates in unit-level governance.
5. Develops, implements and evaluates recruitment and retention strategies at the unit level.
6. Develops, implements, and evaluates peer review at the unit level. Provides direct performance feedback at the direction of the nurse manager.