SUMMARY: Under general direction, manages the nursing services of assigned patient care areas. Responsible for the effective implementation of the philosophy, goals, policies and procedures of the organization related to nursing care. Performs related duties as required.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: NOTE: Following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification. 

1.  Assists in developing and conducting quality improvement studies/activities.

2.  Assures the establishment and maintenance of a system of administration on each unit for which responsible which facilitates the giving of patient care and the promotion of staff satisfaction. Makes regular rounds to all patient areas on the unit to evaluate the status of patient care, operation and environment of the unit and staff needs. Ensures implementation and evaluation of individual nursing care plans. Assists and/or reviews priorities of patient care and unit operation and makes adjustments in resources and/or staffing. Monitors availability and use of reference manual content.

3.  Assures the establishment and maintenance of an organizational structure on each nursing unit for which responsible. Promotes effective and economic utilization of personnel and supplies. Monitors utilization of personnel and rules and regulations relating to personnel. Monitors adequacy and operability of supplies and equipment. Monitors functioning of charge system.

4.  Collaborates with other departments, agencies and public in the provisions of information relating to area of responsibility.

5.  Communicates regularly with immediate supervisor to report on status of activities, studies, trends, programs, resources, personnel, needs and problems.

6.  Consults and plans with physicians and other professional staff in the coordination of health care delivery programs.

7.  Contributes to the development of staff performance standards, monitors activities of personnel and evaluates achievement of performance standards. Monitors the preparation of performance evaluation records at prescribed intervals and participates in the preparation of the records and the content of the associated guidance sessions. Encourages obtaining and incorporating when feasible, suggestions and recommendations from staff. Responds promptly to referred employee, patient and/or patient's family problems and grievances.

8.  Contributes to the establishment of Nursing Department goals and objectives and routinely reports progress to immediate supervisor. Determines and monitors priorities essential to achievement of goals pertinent to area of responsibility. Evaluates progress of assigned areas and plans, implements and evaluates programs to meet current and anticipated needs.

9.  Contributes to the planning and implementation of education programs for employees, volunteers and students from affiliating schools. Participates with the school faculty in the planning of clinical experience programs for students from affiliating schools and assures the cordial and coordinated operation of the program.

10. Directs the promotion of cordial and productive patterns of communication and relationships with medical staff and inter/intra departmental personnel.

11. Interprets and implements policies, procedures and regulations. Monitors implementation of standards set by State and National regulatory accrediting agencies. Monitors the regularity of programs providing for infection control, quality assurance, continuity of care, teaching of patients, and coordination of care with other department.

12. Participates in interviewing, evaluating and recommending nursing personnel for employment and promotion.

13. Participates in meetings with staff of unit for which responsible and conducts and/or participates in other meetings.

14. Participates in the determination and implementation of patient care and documentation standards and quality assurance program criteria and monitors the documentation of their achievement.

15. Prepares documentation to support requests for continuing enhancement of nursing capabilities and make budgetary recommendations on personnel, supplies, equipment, remodeling and contracts.

16. Promotes an environment therapeutic for patients, pleasant for personnel and visitors and conducive to ease of communication, to respectful and impartial treatment of employees and patients, and to learning by staff and students.

17. Provides direct patient care to serve as a role model and to contribute to learning of others.

18. Provides guidance directed to the continuous progress of unit programs designed to facilitate methods of organization and administration of patient care.

19. TPM – maintains compliance of all ACS level 1 requirements.

20. Utilizes known performance standards and job expectations to guide own behavior patterns and professional growth. Adheres to approved personnel policies and procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Experience: Either (1) Three years full time continuous experience as a Clinical Nurse III with AHS. (2) Two years of full-time continuous experience as a Clinical Nurse IV with AHS. (3) The equivalent of four years full-time experience as a Charge Nurse or the equivalent of three years full time experience as a Head Nurse in a large acute facility. (NOTE: a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from a recognized school may be substituted for one year of the required experience and a Masters Degree in Nursing or related field from a recognized school may be substituted for two years experience as a Head Nurse.)

Preferred Education: Graduate of an accredited Nursing program required; Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Nursing preferred.

Required License/Certifications: CCRN - Critical Care Registered Nurse is desirable.

Required Licenses/Certifications TPM: ACLS, TNCC, TNCC instructor preferred, ATLS Course Coordinator, TCRN certification preferred.

Required Licenses/Certifications: ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification - issued by AHA - American Heart Association, may be required per facility or unit/department specialty according to patient care policies.

Required Licenses/Certifications: Acquire certification in chemotherapy within one year of hire (certain positions only)

Required Licenses/Certifications: BLS - Basic Life Support Certification issued by the American Heart Association. Other advanced life support certifications may be required per unit/department specialty according to patient care policies.

Required Licenses/Certifications: CEN - Certified Emergency Nurse is desirable (for Emergency Department positions)

Required Licenses/Certifications: Certification as a Public Health Nurse in the State of California (required for certain positions).

Required Licenses/Certifications: Completion of Perinatal Safety Modules within 3 months of hire. Evidence of completion and continuing annual competency must be in the employee file and/or AHS’s learning management system (LMS) (for certain positions).

Required Licenses/Certifications: Coronary Care Unit certification (required for certain positions at Fairmont Hospital's Monitoring Unit).

Required Licenses/Certifications: CPI -Crisis Prevention Intervention Training (required for all positions at John George Psychiatric Pavilion; and preferred for certain positions in the Emergency Department).

Required Licenses/Certifications: MICN - Mobile Intensive Care Nursing certification (required for certain positions).

Required Licenses/Certifications: NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation Program Certification- AHA American Heart Association (required per unit/department specialty according to patient care policies).

Required Licenses/Certifications: PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification- AHA American Heart Association (Required for Emergency Department or if overseeing or providing pediatric care on a regular basis).

Required Licenses/Certifications: TNCC -Trauma Nurse Core Course (Required for Emergency department).

Required Licenses/Certifications: Valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of California.

Trauma Program Manager (TPM) minimum experience: Four years as a trauma nurse (ED or ICU) in an urban level 1 or level 2 trauma center. A working knowledge of American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma standards (2014).