Registered Nurse Lead - Intermediate Care

POSITION PURPOSE

• While functioning within the standards of the Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act, serves as a primary clinical nursing resource to nursing staff on the unit or units to which she/he is assigned. Shares knowledge and expertise through coaching and teaching. Serves as a clinical champion in promoting the specific clinical initiatives of nursing services.  Serves as a mentor to graduates and other nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing support positions such as nursing assistants. Maintains competency in nursing practice by coordinating and administering nursing care to patients utilizing the nursing process. Participates in the identification of best practices and serves as a spokesperson to other departments. Provides clinical support to other departments, as needed to maintain competencies. Supports and promotes the achievement of identified goals for nursing practice metrics. Reflects a positive presence to create a positive first and lasting impression.

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED

• Associates Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in nursing

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Experience sufficient to be reasonably recognized as an experienced resource in the relevant field of nursing.

LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Current BLS/ACLS certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.

• Licensure to be eligible to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Wisconsin.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

• The ability to read, write, speak, hear, and comprehend the English language, and interact with those who cannot.

• The physical, technical, and cognitive ability as well as the manual dexterity, to use patient care equipment.

• The ability to provide positive support to inexperienced or new staff, staff in need of additional training or demonstration of competence, and staff to whom new processes or procedures are being taught.

• The ability to adapt to changing circumstances in a positive manner to assure the needs of patients and/or staff are met.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Demonstrates competency with specific clinical skills and techniques that are listed in the department/unit skills list. Functions within the Wisconsin Nurse Practices Act and hospital/nursing policy.

• Coordinates and administers medical and nursing care to patients utilizing the nursing process as a framework for practice.

• Demonstrates communication and leadership skills by collaborating with and giving directions to members of the health care team to achieve positive patient outcomes within established timeframes.

• Administers medications, IV’s and treatments in a timely manner, safely and in accordance with policy and procedure.

• Coordinates patient teaching.

• Demonstrates correct and safe techniques in the use of patient equipment according to specific product information and policy/procedure manuals.

• Maintains and organizes patient rooms and department work areas in a neat, clean and well-supplied manner; initiative is taken to assure environment is maintained to promote rest and healing.

• Organizes and completes nursing care activities within the assigned shift and in a professional manner.

• Promptly and courteously responds to any patient call light.

• Recognizes the occurrence of life-threatening situations and emergencies and takes the appropriate actions in a timely manner.

• Actively participates in the implementation and monitoring of unit-based Quality Assurance standards of care.

• Assists in the orientation and training of new staff and nursing student clinical rotations as requested.

• Supervises staff assigned to designated shift.

• Participates in the annual performance evaluation process with unit leadership.

• Maintains ongoing assessment of staff competencies and department skill completion.

• Works with unit leadership in the ongoing performance improvement projects as assigned.