Resource Nurse RN Emerson 5 Med Surg Ortho

Job Description Summary

The Resource Nurse is a department-based leader who is responsible for ensuring efficient and effective clinical operations of the department during their assigned shift, schedule to be determined by division and department. They will make assignments, facilitate patient placement and care progression, lead shift huddles, and act as a clinical resource to clinical staff within the department. They will perform patient care as needed including taking a patient care assignment. They provide leadership and direction to the care team during a defined shift.

Job Description

1. Clinical Operations:

• Oversee clinical operations of the department for a defined shift
• Assist staff with patient care as needed
• Will assume a patient assignment as necessary
• Responsible to review department staffing for the current shift and next shift
• Responsible for making the assignment for the shift and making suggestions for the next shift
• Provides direction and clinical oversight of colleagues during their shift

2. Compliance & Regulatory Support:

• Gathers information and documentation for follow up of safety events
• Facilitates department preparation when regulatory or accrediting bodies are on campus
• Understands the resources available to them to report any compliance concerns
• Assures daily regulatory checks are completed
• Identifies and ensures safety reports are submitted  
• Acts as key stakeholder in everyday readiness

3. Communication:

• Demonstrates effective communication skills including active listening
• Provides in the moment problem resolution for staff including seeking assistance from the chain of command (e.g., Administrative Clinical Coordinator, Nurse Manager).
• Provide in the moment problem resolution for patients and families, including seeking assistance from the chain of command (e.g., Administrative Clinical Coordinator, Nurse Manager).
• Facilitates department huddles
• Facilitates Interdisciplinary Rounds

4. Resource Allocation:

• Identify barriers to care or services providing creative solutions in real time
• Facilitates patient’s placement within the department and collaborates with patient flow facilitator
• Facilitates patient’s care progression as necessary
• Understands and can initiate use of the health systems’ safety processes (e.g., Rapid Response Team, Bert, Code 8, and Code 9)
• Considers cost effectiveness and fiscal responsibility in decision making

5. Staff Development:

• Acts as a role model demonstrating adherence to the professional standards of conduct and health system policies and procedures
• Provides clinical ongoing support to colleagues
• Enculturates new colleagues to department and division
• Collaborates with the department leadership and clinical professional development team to support colleagues and students’ professional development and ongoing education

6. Continuous Improvement:

• Remains informed about department quality initiatives
• Acts as subject matter expert for the department and the patient population served related to contemporary nursing practice.
• Consistently prioritizes tasks effectively and ensures effective and timely patient throughput.
• Remains informed and participates in departmental quality initiatives
• Proactively addresses practice environment and family experience concerns
• Intervenes in real time providing service recovery

JOB REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Education - Preferred

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required or currently enrolled in program; must be acquired within 3 years of hire. Demonstrates yearly progress.

Minimum Work Experience
Three (3) years full-time employment or equivalent, in specialty nursing practice preferred.  
Previous experience in supporting nurse leader and guiding small groups 
Required Licenses / Registrations

RN - Registered Nurse – Board of Registration in Nursing (Massachusetts)

Certifications (determined by department) may include:

•    BLS: Basic Life Support
•    ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support
•    NRP: Neonatal Resuscitation Program
•    PALS: Pediatric Advanced Life Support 
•    TNCC: Trauma Nurse Core Course 

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Demonstrates proficiency in nursing knowledge and skills specific to department of hire.

Effective communication skills.

Ability to problem solve.

Ability to confront/resolve issues.

Ability to plan, organize and direct the activities of others.  

Membership in professional organization is recommended and certification in specialty area is encouraged.