DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
1. Validates staffing needs with the Administrative Nursing Supervisor based on the unit’s staffing plan and patient care needs.
o When identifying staffing needs, takes into consideration patient needs and acuity, admits and discharges, staff competency, FAN or agency assigned, and staff in orientation.
o Completes patient assignments each shift based on acuity and staff skills.
o Assess all reported changes in status for appropriateness of assignment and placement.
o Assess the care of the patients assigned to an LPN. Delegates care to a Registered Nurse as needed.
o Monitors staff competency and patient acuity to ensure patient safety. Notifies management team of concerns.
2. Monitors and maintains efficient patient flow.
o Collaborates with Administrative Nursing Supervisor/Bed Control for proper patient placement (Staff Competency and Patient Acuity used as factors)
o Communicates patient discharge planning needs with department case manager, social worker, and other disciplines as appropriate.
o Facilitates timely patient admissions, discharges, and transfers.
o Works closely with EVS staff to maintain quick bed turnover.
o Manages efficient coordination of care for observation patients.
3. Patient Care/Experience.
o Rounds on patients to ensure satisfaction of patient experience. Provides immediate service recovery for noted issues. Communicates concerns to management team.
o Supports and maintains compliance with hourly rounding expectations for care team.
o Ensures call lights are answered timely.
o Monitors team for compliance with service delivery initiatives.
4. Department Operations.
Clinical/service:
o Monitors desk for new patient orders and timely transcription/processing.
o Monitors new orders for safety concerns (unapproved abbreviations and “blanket orders”) and works with Pharmacy and Medical Staff to clarify.
o Ensures safe work environment – frequently communicates with staff and others to address concerns as they occur.
o Ensures compliance for performance and documentation with core measures, prevention of hospital acquired conditions/infections (falls, CAUTIs, CLABSIs), pre/post-op processes, restraint utilization, critical values, changes in patient condition, medication reconciliation, PEC/CEC patients, and isolation compliance.
o Welcomes float/agency staff and ensures they are comfortable with department, patient assignment and equipment use. Provides immediate education and competency validation as needed.
o Assumes or monitors the care of critically ill patients (codes, etc.) until appropriate transfer has been completed.
o Documents all care delivered and reassessments completed. Documents follow-up to any concerns from a patient.
o Screens outgoing call to physicians for appropriateness and staff readiness to respond to incoming returned phone calls.
o Monitors for timely completion of consultations, both medical staff and ancillary support services consults.
o Aware of physicians rounding for appropriate privileges and record access
o Monitors staff compliance with Patient Services, Department and Administrative Policies/Procedures and Programs. Provides immediate/confidential corrective action and competency demonstration and communicates concerns to management team.
o New employees – ongoing monitoring of progression, feedback to Coordinator/Director, and evaluation input. Ensures orientation experience is met as planned and meets expectations of new staff.
o Validates physicians have privileges prior to patient record access. Verify physician special procedure privilege prior to physician performing invasive procedure.
Operational:
o Monitors meal periods and breaks to ensure adequate staffing at all times.
o Monitors staff productivity. Adjusts staffing as patient volume changes.
o Monitors general housekeeping/appearance of department. Contacts Environmental Services (EVS) as needed. Keeps hallways clear.
o Assures storage and security of equipment. Reports equipment errors/repairs timely and correctly.
o Maintains supply inventory, charging and resolution of lost charges daily.
o Completes daily crash cart checks and weekly eye wash station flushing.
o Ensures disaster box complete with all necessary forms.
o Completes Quantros report for all unexpected patient outcomes, unresolved patient/family complaints, unresolved physician/ancillary complaints with all known information at the time.
o Notifies Administrative Nursing Supervisor for all staff injuries. Notifies Security for visitor injuries.
o Immediately notifies management with beginning investigative findings and follow-up on all pertinent data relating to above unexpected events.
o Ensures midnight chart checks are completed accurately and follow-up on any outstanding findings is completed and/or reported.
Leadership:
o Keeps the Unit Coordinator/Director informed of staff, patient, and physician issues.
o Promotes positive relationships with unit staff and ancillary departments providing service to the department
o Promotes satisfactory relationships among the unit staff, other departments, the medical staff, and external agencies (ie. Ambulance services, law enforcement, etc).
o Maintains confidentiality
o Channels suggestions, criticism, and questions to Coordinator/Director.
o Assists leadership with enforcement of professional behavioral standards and job role responsibilities for care delivery team.
o Assists in maintaining ongoing preparedness for inspections/surveys.
o Provides input to employee evaluations.
o Assists with identification of learning needs for all staff.
o Maintains a positive attitude and promotes compliance with organizational and department goals at all times.
5. Assists with assignments as delegated by Department Management Team.
