Clinical Resource Nurse

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Serves as a clinical resource for the patient care units, collaborate with nurse leaders, medical staff and nursing staff and provides expert clinical support to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Plans, directs, and coordinates new employee orientation, initial and ongoing competency skills assessment, development, and clinical knowledge growth for staff involved in clinical practice. Facilitates learning and development of critical thinking skills utilizing a variety of teaching methods. Ensures adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

2. *Exemplifies a leadership role by role modeling the mission, beliefs, and behaviors of the Medical Center; promotes and role models highly effective interpersonal relationships.

3. *Assists in concurrent and retrospective resolution of patient, family, and/or physician concerns and complaints; collaborates with the Nurse Manager to ensure daily leader/patient rounding is completed for each patient.

4. *Provides regular presence on night shift in support of new staff and ongoing staff competence assessment and development.

5. May participate with the Nurse Manager/Assistant Nurse Manager in the process of interviewing and hiring of staff for the unit/area assigned; promotes the recognition and retention of staff.

6. *Assures that existing policies and procedures are adhered to during daily interactions with staff.

7. *Assists and supports the Nurse Manager with communicating and implementing unit/area changes. Collaborates with manager to ensure continued maintenance of changes.

8. *Timely, objectively, and constructively coaches staff as appropriate when practice and/or safety issues are observed or reported; communicates with the Nurse Manager if a colleague fails to respond to proper guidance or adhere to standards expected for quality care; documents corrective actions and reviews with staff as appropriate.

9. *Maintains a high level of competency in direct patient care and demonstrates clinical proficiency in assigned area of nursing care by applying evidence-based practice in the clinical setting.

10. *Takes patient care assignments or charge role during volume or acuity changes or during increased staffing demand.

11. Appropriately uses, explains, and evaluates clinical equipment, the electronic medical record (EMR) and downtime documentation system.

12. *Facilitates learning, development of critical thinking skills and all facets of practice by assessing learning and developmental needs of nursing staff, preceptors and departmental personnel and developing effective learning strategies.

13. Demonstrates, teaches and evaluates critical thinking skills in all aspects of clinical practice.

14. Develops education and appropriate competencies based on evidence based practice for population specific, condition-specific and treatment protocols including medication and equipment.

15. Models appropriate learning methodologies to promote mastery of competencies in assigned area of nursing care.

16. Facilitates the orientation schedule and training methods with the orientee, preceptor and manager including online orientation and monitors progress of orientee during formal orientation and through the completion of initial classes.

17. Tracks completion of mandatory training requirements for all staff.

18. Maintains or assists with competency files and records maintenance.

19. Collaborates with other departments/units and educators for effective use of education resources.

20. *Participates in performance and improvement projects in collaboration with other clinical staff and interdisciplinary teams including performance audits related to work responsibilities; evaluating safety practices; supporting the evaluation of new products and equipment; monitoring new research for best practice and promoting new practices and technology with staff and physicians.

21. Provides input into performance improvement opportunities and communicates performance/process outcomes to staff.

22. Utilizes the findings from quality improvement efforts (including HCAHPS/NRC and physician partnership survey scores) to enhance patient care, customer satisfaction (physicians and patients/families), and cost-effectiveness of services.

23. Assists with monitoring and editing of time and attendance software as needed.

24. Assists with staffing and scheduling, under direction of unit manager.

25. Maintains competence and education to function as charge nurse and preceptor, when necessary.

26. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.

27. Participates in meetings, committees and department projects as assigned.

28. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk “*”. Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Maintains clinical competency as required for the unit including but not limited to age-specific competencies relative to patient’s growth and developmental needs, annual skill competency verification and mandatory education and competencies.

2. Knowledge of service-related Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Standards.

3. Knowledge of system and change management principles and their application within the healthcare environment.

4. Knowledge of computer equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

5. Skill in the use of Electronic Medical Record, other clinical applications, and common organizational software.

6. Ability to apply adult learning principles and diverse teaching strategies.

7. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

8. Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.

9. Ability to appropriately work independently, take direction and collaborate with others.

10. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel, medical staff, volunteer and ancillary departments including diverse patient populations and community groups.

11. Ability to problem solve and engage independent critical thinking skills.

12. Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.

13. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Current Registered Nurse licensure from the State of Nebraska or approved compact state of residence as defined by the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act required. Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing required within three (3) years of hire, if not yet obtained. Must begin to pursue BSN immediately upon hire if not a current BSN.

Minimum of three (3) years of clinical experience managing patient populations consistent with the area of assignment. Charge/supervisory experience preferred.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

Basic Life Support (CPR) certification required. Bryan Health recognizes American Heart Association (for healthcare professionals), American Red Cross (for healthcare professionals) and the Military Training Network. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required for Critical Care Areas.

Certification in specialty based on department requirements required within twelve (12) months of hire.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) -- Characterized as medium work requiring exertion of 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.