Registered Nurse/RN Adult Psych, Clinical Leader

Location: CHA Cambridge Hospital 

Work Days: 7:00am -7:00pm, Every Other Weekend and Rotating Holidays  

Category: Nursing  

Department: Psych CH 7 West Adult Nursing  

Job Type: Full Time  

Work Shift: Day / Evening 

Hours/Week: 40.00 

Union: Yes 

Union Name: MNA Cambridge

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:

7 West is an adult Psychiatric locked unit. There are 9 beds available on this inpatient unit of which we see various types of psychiatric illnesses such as Schizophrenia bi-polar and affective disorders, Personality disorders, Dual diagnosis, Adjustment disorder, Psychosis, and use DBT/CBT Group Therapy. According to DMH we have a lower than average restraint rate, use sensory approach to de-escalating patients, and all staff are educated in trauma informed care which provides each patient with individualized care.

  

Summary:
To provide and oversee quality patient care according to Cambridge Health Alliance standards of nursing practice. Collaborates with the nurse manager to foster skilled and quality evidence based nursing care, unit organization and cohesiveness and development of staff.
The clinical leader assists the nurse manager in the overall coordination of the clinical area by assuming the responsibility and accountability for daily operations. The clinical leader assumes responsibility for and serves as a resource to the staff in clinical practice, staff development, clinical leadership, and professional growth in consistent collaboration with the nurse manager.
Responsible for providing functional direction to members of the health care team while optimizing available resources to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Supports the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
The clinical leader demonstrates advanced nursing skills in their respective clinical specialty, and possesses the necessary leadership skills to direct performance improvement initiatives in collaboration leadership, and other patient care areas.

Responsibilities:

Clinical Management/Leadership
Serves as an expert nursing resource to the interdisciplinary team regarding patient care issues and unit operations.
Facilitates clinical coordination of care to ensure a smooth patient flow and maximize patient experience.
Develops a daily staffing plan to ensure adequate nursing resources based on changing patient census and acuity.
Collaborates with nurse managers around effective use of staff resources and staffing issues.
As Clinical Leader, provides leadership for unit operations on a daily basis
Communicates pertinent information regarding departmental activities and leads unit practice changes.
Assists in preparation of staff assignments.
Re-evaluates and adjusts assignments as volume and acuity change.
Follows through on problems by using the appropriate clinical and administrative channels.
Participates in the development of annual unit based goals and objectives.
Recognizes environmental and system constraints that impact unit operations.
Acts as a change agent among the staff in response to the evolving healthcare environment.
Provides leadership to facilitate resolution in collaboration with the nurse manager.
Coordinates education, implementation and monitoring of systems for acquisitions and maintenance of equipment and supplies.
Collaborates within and across service lines and departments to ensure effective clinical operations and continually improve effectiveness and efficiency of systems.
Acts as a clinical resource for staff members using evidence-based knowledge and prevailing standards.
Actively participates and facilitates staff participation in unit, department, and hospital committees.
Assumes a leadership role in clinical and administrative multi-disciplinary collaborative practice activities.
Collaborates with the Nursing Department around effective use of staff resources.
Creates a supportive and cohesive environment that facilitates learning and professional growth.
Conducts daily unit rounds on all patients to enhance their experience and improve satisfaction scores. Proactively identifies and addresses concerns/issues and collaborates with Nurse Managers.

Clinical Practice
Acts as a first line clinical resource for staff.
Demonstrates professional excellence in the care of patients through direct interventions and as a resource to colleagues.
Initiates and collaborates with unit colleagues to develop, implement, and evaluate clinical standards.
Reviews documentation and delivery of patient care and identifies areas for improvement.
Develops and implements plans for improving patient care documentation.
Maintains ongoing assessment of staff’s clinical decision making.
Collaborates with staff nurses on development of their comprehensive plans of care.
Promotes independent decision making and problem solving by staff nurses while being available for consultation.

Staff Development
Supports the orientation of new clinical staff and the development of clinical expertise in all unit staff in coordination with clinical educator.
Provides real time staff feedback related to their patient assessment, clinical decision making skills, provision of patient care, clinical documentation and shares areas for improvement
Participates in the determination of unit based competency needs
Contributes to the unit based competency plans

Quality Improvement
Participates in the development of annual unit based competency goals and objectives based on unit outcome data and needed system and process changes
Supports staff with the implementation and evaluation of quality improvement initiatives, evidence based practice changes, clinical guidelines, protocols, policies and procedures.
Demonstrates an ongoing awareness of and participation in the quality improvement program.

Professional Image
Promotes the image of professional nursing by facilitating an atmosphere of respect to patients, their families and all members of the hospital staff.
Demonstrates and communicates to staff a common philosophy of patient care.
Interprets and supports policies, standards, and procedures on the unit.
Facilitates conflict resolution.
Responsible for communicating pertinent information regarding departmental activities and staffing issues.
Appropriately utilizes available resources in other departments.

Care of Environment
Maintains a clean, neat environment for patient and staff according to hospital and unit policies.
Insures that supplies and equipment necessary for patient care are stored in an organized and efficient manner.
Demonstrates correct and safe technique in the use of equipment according to specific product information and policy and procedure manuals.
Follows appropriate procedure for obtaining and returning or cleaning/disposing of equipment and supplies.
Monitors patient supplies to ensure adequate supplies available for patient care.

Interpersonal Skills
Communicates effectively with management, peers, and health team members.
Interacts effectively with members of the interdisciplinary team, patients, families, and/or significant others demonstrating respect for diversity.
Adapts to changes in a positive, professional manner.
Maintains interdepartmental collaboration.
Follows through on problem resolution using appropriate clinical administrative channels.

Clinical Leader
Assumes clinical leader and charge nurse responsibilities.
Develops a daily staffing plan which ensures adequate resources based on changing patient census and acuity.
In conjunction with the nurse manager, provides leadership for unit operations on a daily basis
Collaborates with nurse managers around effective use of staff resources.
Effectively communicates and collaborates with diverse individuals, disciplines and departments throughout the organization and the community we serve.
Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.

Mental Skills:

Cognitive ability to observe, analyze and interpret general and technical data, verbal and written accurately.

Mathematical, reading and writing ability required.

Possesses communication and interpersonal relationship skills with ability to respond to events effectively.

Ability to effectively prioritize competing responsibilities while under pressure.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Training: Graduate of NLN Accredited School of Nursing. BSN required
Licensure: Current Massachusetts licensure as Registered Nurse
Certifications:Minimal certifications: BLS, Specialty certification required or obtained within one year of hire. Additional unit specific certifications may apply
AHA or ARC BLS Healthcare Provider
Work Experience: Minimum of 5 years’ clinical experience in related field with a minimum of 2 years charge experience preferred.

 
In keeping with federal, state and local laws, Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) policy forbids employees and associates to discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to establishing and maintaining a workplace free of discrimination. We are fully committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not tolerate unlawful discrimination in the recruitment, hiring, termination, promotion, salary treatment or any other condition of employment or career development. Furthermore, we will not tolerate the use of discriminatory slurs, or other remarks, jokes or conduct, that in the judgment of CHA, encourage or permit an offensive or hostile work environment.