Primary Function/General Purpose of Position

The Clinical Unit Leader is responsible for coordinating patient care on a designated unit. In collaboration with the Clinical Manager, this role uses nursing process and clinical knowledge to coordinate members of the health care team to develop and sustain an environment that promotes excellence in clinical practice and customer satisfaction, while striving for optimal efficiency and productivity of all resources.

Essential Job Functions

• Adjusts the schedule and patient assignments to accommodate changes in acuity, patient population, resources & care design.

• Provides guidance of staff, clinical support, and oversees responsibility for the unit in the absence of the unit leader.

• Maintains current knowledge of environmental safety standards and infection control; Utilizes appropriate supplies and equipment.

• Communicates effectively with patients and their families regarding nursing interventions and plan of care.

• Rounds on patients to evaluate safety, quality, and patient experience.

• Serves as a resource to staff, patients, and family members to ensure effective communication.

• Functions as a clinical resource and role model for staff. May serve as a preceptor.

• Actively involved in interprofessional collaborative practice within the care delivery system to ensure care coordination and continuity of care and optimal patient experience.

• Communicates effectively and follows through with other departments as necessary to resolve operational problems.

• Participates in the ongoing quality monitoring and performance improvement program through monitoring activities, evaluation of unit-based results, suggestions for studies.

• Facilitates appropriate patient placement and safe, efficient admission, transfer, and discharge processes.

• Provides feedback and mentoring to nursing and support staff.

• Creates an environment of teamwork, mutual respect, conflict management. Fosters and encourages open communication and conflict resolution among staff members. Manages conflict in a timely, direct and positive manner.

• Supports mission and vision of the organization and adheres to organizational policies.

• Clinical Unit Leaders are expected to practice and deliver care in accordance with the core concepts and intention of the Nursing Professional Practice Model

This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Licensing/Certification

Current RN license in state they are working or covered by compact (required)

BLS Basic Life Support (preferred upon hire for BSMH, must obtain from approved source prior to entering patient care setting, required at hire for Roper St Francis Healthcare locations)

Certifications required based on the unit(s) that the leader oversees and the requirements for those specific units:

• PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support (preferred)

• ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support (preferred)

• NRP Neonatal Resuscitation Program (preferred)

• TNCC Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum (preferred)

• ENPC Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course (preferred)

• National Board Certification Specialty (preferred)

• Nurse Executive Certification or designated specialty certification (preferred)

Education

Associate of Nursing, nursing (required) OR Diploma in Nursing (required) 

Bachelor of Science Nursing (preferred for BSMH, required for Roper St Francis Healthcare locations)

Work Experience

2 years nursing experience as a Registered Nurse with 1 year minimum clinical experience in the acuity level of desired area (preferred for BSMH, required for Roper St Francis Healthcare locations)

Training

None

Language

None

Patient Population

• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.

• Understands life span growth and development principles, assesses patient data, and tailors care according to age and specific needs as per departmental policies.

• Neonates (0-4 weeks)

• Infant (1-12 months)

• Pediatrics (1-12 years)

• Adolescents (13-17 years)

• Adults (18-64 years)

• Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements/ Hazards

Working Conditions

• Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.

• May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse.

• May be required to use physical restraints.

• May be exposed to adverse weather conditions; cold, hot, dust, wind, etc.

• May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights.

• May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids.*

• May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials.*

• May have periods of constant interruptions.

• General office environment.

• Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.

• Long-distance or air travel as needed- not to exceed 10% travel.

• Prolonged periods of working alone

* Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

Physical Demands Frequency (%)  

Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.):  1-33%

Lifting/ Carrying (50-100 lbs.) 1-33%

Push/ Pull (0-50 lbs.) 1-33%

Push/ Pull (50-100 lbs.) 1-33%

Stoop, Kneel 34-66%

Crawling 1-33%

Climbing 1-33%

Balance 34-66%

Bending 34-66%

Work Position

Sitting 1-33%

Walking 67-100%

Standing 67-100%

Additional Physical Requirements

• Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination)

• Perform Shift Work

• Maneuver weight of patients

• Hear alarms/telephone/audio recordings

• Reach above shoulder

• Repetitive arm/hand movements

• Finger Dexterity

• Color Vision

• Acuity - Far

• Acuity - Near

Hazards

• Use of Latex products

• Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents

• Exposure to moving mechanical parts

• Exposure to dust/fumes

• Exposure to potential electrical shock

• Exposure to x-ray/electromagnetic energy

• Exposure to high pitched noises

• Gaseous risk exposure

Skills

• Build collaborative relationships

• Collaborate with physicians and other medical staff

• Conflict resolution

• Effective oral communication

• Establish an environment that values diversity

• Facilitate consensus building

• Facilitate group discussions

• Inspire desired behaviors and manage undesired behaviors

• Interpersonal communication

• Relationship building

• Written communication

• Application of high reliability concepts

• Care Delivery Models and Patient Care Delivery across the continuum

• Clinical outcomes

• Education and developmental practices

• Evidence-based practices

• Hospital policies and procedures

• Nursing and clinical best practices and research

• Nursing professional practice

• Patient care services

• Performance improvement

• Quality clinical care

• Quality improvement

• Regulatory standards

• Risk management

• Working knowledge of patient safety programs, identifying risks, and responding to recommendations.

• Able to learn from setback and failures.

• Change management

• Foundational leadership

• Mentor others

• Succession planning

• Advocacy

• Holding self accountable to actions and decisions

• Open to receiving feedback and coaching

• Uphold ethical principles and corporate compliance standards

• Analyzing data or information

• Customer service

• Human Resources management

• Information management and technology

• People management and leadership

• Problem solving

• Staffing and managing staffing based on matrix

• Strategic planning and management

• Workforce development planning