DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ( These are the essential job functions for this position. The essential functions of this job include, but may not be limited to those listed in this job description. Employees hired for this position must be able to perform the essential function of this job without imposing significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others) :

Facilitator of excellent relationship based patient care and the optimal patient experience

• Demonstrates advocacy for the patient/customer and appropriately acknowledges patients, customers and visitors;
• Follows and serves as a resource for policies, procedures and standards of care;
• Participates in hospital wide committees and councils facilitating two–way sharing of information;
• Implements/monitors evidence-based practice strategies and ideas for the betterment of patient care;
• Promotes a positive environment to facilitate the optimal patient experience;
• Serves as a patient experience champion- rounds on all patients and their families, for environmental safety, monitors care boards to ensure they reflect the patient’s plan of care, and follows up with concerns/complaints in a timely and comprehensive manner;
• Serves as a role model for the Relationship Based Care model;
• Supports the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the organization and Division of Nursing.

Serves as a clinical mentor and role model

• Acts as a clinical resource by providing routine assistance/support at the bedside and in emergency situations;
• Facilitates conflict resolution with the people involved in a timely manner;
• Follows the chain of command in addressing emergency situations;
• Serves as a mentor, resource, and assists new staff with clinical orientation.

Functions as a shift supervisor

• Assists with the scheduling process balancing of experience and competency of staff assignments in a cost effective manner;
• Assures availability of supplies and equipment for the current and upcoming shift;
• Assures the use of SBAR in the hand-off report during shift change;
• Communicates with the manager/director/operations supervisor important problems/issues;
• Delegates and coordinates tasks and functions of RNs, students, CNAs, constant observers and unit secretaries;
• Initiates the Chain of Command Policy when needed;
• Leads/participates in huddles, charge, staff and unit based council meetings;
• Manages the work load cost effectively by flexing staff off duty or calling in off-duty staff in alignment with patient census;
• Monitors patient care to ensure personal, hygiene and safety needs are met;
• Partners with staff to address and problem solve patient, family, physicians, and visitor concerns/complaints;
• Provides feedback into the performance evaluations of staff and new graduate nurses;
• Serves as a liaison between physicians and the clinical care team.

Facilitate timely patient throughput

• Manages patient flow with a two to three bed ahead mentality, anticipating the next patient stable for transfer in the event of an emergency or increased census/ surge;
• Places patients from the ED/PACU/direct admits and other areas as soon as possible;
• Prepares for and actively participates in daily bed board meetings and All Bed Crisis (ABC) meetings;
• Orchestrates moving patients to the next level of care when stable for transfer and effectively communicates with other department reasons for delay of transfer.

Supports performance improvement, quality, and regulatory requirements

• Assures the appropriate reports and documentation are printed and completed and reported before the end of the shift;
• Follows up with occurrence reports;
• Participates in identifying systems or processes to improve performance improvement, quality, and regulatory compliance;
• Performs chart/computer audits and Performance Improvement activities as requested;
• Oversees the checking of the chart/computer for documentation requirements, missed orders, and medical record checks.

Professional growth and development

• Attends and actively participates in CNIII/charge nurse development and informational meetings;
• Complies with the charge nurse and behavioral expectations at Valley Presbyterian Hospital;
• Exhibits professionalism in appearance, conduct, communication, and behaviors that is appropriate to the situation.

The following job accountabilities are not unique to this particular job but are common to all jobs at VPH:

• Complies with VPH policies and procedures on customer satisfaction and service excellence.   Demonstrates professionalism and cultural sensitivity in coordinating activities and communicating with all customers, peers, and the community at large.   Conducts self in a professional, respectful and courteous manner during all interactions.   Works effectively and collaboratively with others toward common goals.
• Communicates accurately, honestly, supportively and in a timely manner with department and interdepartmental team members.   Demonstrates effective business writing and oral communication skills, handwriting is clear and legible.
• Participates in operational aspects of the department, and maintains/participates in performance improvement activities within the department. 
• Participates in all departmental specific training, Environment of Care (injury/illness prevention, fire/life   safety, hazard materials, emergency preparedness, utilities management, medical equipment management, safety and security management), infection control (standard precautions, TB Exposure Control Plan, Blood borne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan).  
• Demonstrates knowledge of and follows safety practices.   Understands the importance of safety, including patient safety in the work place.   Maintains a safe environment for self and others.  
• Actively participates in the Patient Safety Program, including event reporting.   Identifies sentinel events/near misses and responds per defined organization processes.   Participates in education activities and process implementation.
• Demonstrates advocacy for the patient/customer and appropriately acknowledges patients, customers and visitors.

The above statements reflect the essential functions considered necessary to describe the principle content of the job. They are not intended to be a complete statement of all work requirements or duties that may be inherent in the job.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Primarily an inside building/office environment, well lighted and ventilated, which may consist of multiple treatment and/or work sites.

• Fast and continuous work pace with variable workload.

• Frequent contact with staff and public under a variety of circumstances.  Requires ability to communicate clearly (in English) verbally and in writing for effective communication with other staff members, physicians, vendors, community members, patients and patient families, employees and applicants of all socio-economic levels from a diverse cultural and ethnic population.

• Subject to many interruptions from multiple calls and inquiries and potentially emotional situations involving accidents, injuries, illness and/or death.

• Handles emergency/crisis situations in accordance with Hospital policy.

• Answers phones or pages; may carry a beeper/pager, and/or use a two-way radio.

• Occasional travel may be required.

• Potential risk of exposure to hazards from chemicals (toxic and non-toxic), flammable materials, gas or electrical or radiant energy or equipment with/without moving parts.

Department Specific Licensure/Certifications for Registered Nurse/Clin II (In addition to required licensures/certifications as mentioned above):

• ACLS
• NIHSS Certification (Obtain within the first 30 days of employment or transfer)
• Annual Critical Care Stroke Education (Obtain within the first 30 days of employment or transfer)

• ACLS
• NIHSS Certification (Obtain within the first 30 days of employment or transfer)
• Annual Critical Care Stroke Education (Obtain within the first 30 days of employment or transfer)

• Annual Nursing Care Stroke Education (Obtain within the first 30 days of employment or transfer)

• Annual Nursing Care Stroke Education (Obtain within the first 30 days of employment or transfer)

• Annual Nursing Care Stroke Education (Obtain within the first 30 days of employment or transfer)

• Chemo Certification (Obtain within the first 120 days of employment or transfer)
• Annual Nursing Care Stroke Education (Obtain within the first 30 days of employment or transfer)

• ACLS
  PALS (Obtain within the first 30 days of employment or transfer)
• Management of Aggressive Behavior Certification (Obtain within the first 30 days of employment or transfer)
• NIHSS Certification (Obtain within the first 30 days of employment or transfer)
• Annual Critical Care Stroke Education (Obtain within the first 30 days of employment or transfer)

• ACLS
• NRP
• Fetal Monitoring Certificate (Obtain within the first 30 days of employment or transfer)

• NRP

• NRP
• PALS

• PALS
• NRP

• PALS
• NRP

• ACLS for RNFA

• ACLS
• PALS

• ACLS
• PALS 

• ACLS

• ACLS

• ACLS
• PALS