JOB SUMMARYProvides quality patient care and management of all patients and nursing staff for a specific clinic area. Functions in administrative and/or managerial capacity in clinical environment.SERVES AS PERMANENT CHARGE NURSE ON ASSIGNED UNIT/DEPARTMENT. DIRECTS, COORDINATES AND PARTICIPATES IN THE EVALUATION/SUPERVISION OF THE NURSING PROCESS AS THE BASIS FOR PATIENT CARE PRACTICE. ENSURES THE HIGHEST QUALITY PATIENT CARE IS DELIVERED. Facilitates effective and efficient patient flow, forming cooperative relationships with entry points for admissions to the unit/department. Assists team members in providing care to patients or administers direct care when professional nursing skills and judgment are required.Directs and coordinates nursing care, establishes priorities and delegates nursing activities according to patient needs. Understands and demonstrates the BNE Rules of Delegation, knows the competency levels of staff. Makes appropriate patient assignments.Clearly communicates in a timely manner data obtained during nursing assessments, reports and interdisciplinary rounds and serves as an advocate for patients and families when communicating with other health team members.Documents and utilizes a nursing diagnosis list (patient problems) which serves as the basis for plan of care and evaluates and revises nursing diagnosis list based on patient assessments. Mentors effective use.Identifies discharge needs for individual patients on admission. Demonstrates a multi disciplinary approach to facilitate efficient and timely discharge process to the next level of care. Works in conjunction with the Continuum of Care Department.Assists team members in providing care to patients or administers direct care when professional nursing skills and judgment are required. Accepts direct patient care assignments according to staffing grid and unit/department need.Oversees and/or completes Nursing Admission Assessments with patients and families at time of admission. Assesses, implements and serves as a resource for appropriate nursing care based on nursing assessment of age, developmental stage and physical condition. Provides and mentors effective patient/family education based on individualized learning needs.CONTRIBUTES TO THE EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF THE ASSIGNED UNIT AND SHIFT TO ENSURE EFFICIENT COST EFFECTIVE OPERATIONS AND CONTINUITY OF CARE[Nursing Department Criteria] Ensures that patient services are provided in a timely, efficient and cost-efficient manner by utilizing the resources (manpower, material and equipment) of the unit or shift economically and assures those services are provided in accordance with established standards of nursing care and the policies and procedures of Scott & White and the Nursing Department.[Alternate Continuing Care Hospital Criteria] Ensures that patient services are provided in a timely, efficient and cost-efficient manner by utilizing the resources (manpower, material and equipment) of the unit or shift economically and assures those services are provided in accordance with established standards of nursing care and the policies and procedures of Scott & White Continuing Care Hospital and the SWMH Nursing Department.Assists Nursing Director, Nurse Manager or Staffing Office to ensure proper coverage of personnel. Adjusts staffing according to patient census and acuity and level of education and capabilities of staff.Assists in development and implementation of new programs, department specific policies and procedures and long range plans to meet department objectives.Assists in administering organization personnel policies and procedures related to selection, orientation, training, assignment and staffing in compliance with State and Federal labor laws. Assumes delegated responsibilities in the absence of the Nurse Manager and executes responsibilities in an effective and professional manner, adhering to all established policies and procedures.MAINTAINS A POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON THE UNIT WHILE ROLE MODELING PROFESSIONAL NURSING BEHAVIORSActs as a resource to physicians and ancillary departments as needed.Coordinates the activities of the unit.Serves as the first line contact for greeting patients and resolving patient concerns.Functions as a resource for new employees and float staffEvaluates and supervises nursing care and provides constructive and relevant coaching and feedback.Provides effective leadership in emergency and stressful situations.Actively disseminates information as appropriate. Demonstrates use of all resources available for communication. Maintains clear communications with the nurse manager regarding unit needs and/or incidents.Maintains a work environment of care that is safe and clean. Understands and uses the reporting mechanisms for maintenance and repair. Follows through to ensure work is done. *Understands and demonstrates appropriate use of Escalation following Chain of Command to meet patient needs and resolve conflicts.PARTICIPATES IN EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES TOENHANCE AND MAINTAIN PERSONAL AND DEPARTMENTAL QUALIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS OF PEFORMANCE.Serves as a mentor to nursing, leadership and ancillary students in a professional and supportive manner.Meets Staff Nurse III or Staff Nurse IV research requirements annually.Seeks, facilitates research projects and quality improvement projects on unit.Actively participates in and serves on institutional committees, where appropriate.Participates in self evaluations when requested, setting realistic goals.FULFILLS CONTINUING EDUCATION, LICENSURE AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS TO MAINTAIN REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS.Takes personal responsibility to understand, complete and maintain the professional and technical licensures/certifications required of the position and furnishes Scott & White with the necessary documentation to substantiate compliance.Seeks continuing education in relation to leadership and patient satisfaction.PERFORMS OTHER POSITION APPROPRIATE DUTIES AS REQUIRED IN A COMPETENT, PROFESSIONAL AND COURTEOUS MANNER.KNOWLEDGGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIESGraduate of an accredited RN School of Nursing required.Licensed and currently registered as a professional nurse in the State of Texas or possesses temporary permit to practice professional nursing in the State of Texas while awaiting license receipt required.Three to five years experience preferred.Completes unit-specific and age-specific competencies annually.* Non Violent Crisis Intervention Certification is required within 6 months of hire for the Psychiatric Unit._________________________* ACLS & BCLS is required within 6 months of hire for all LTACH units. Otherwise BCLS is required for hire._________________________