Lead Nurse - Ambulatory Surgery Center - 40hr

Under general supervision, supervises and coordinates the day-to-day activities and unit operations of the ambulatory surgery center, ensures adherence to organizational and unit policies and procedures, and accepted nursing protocols and procedures. Collaborates with patients, families, peers, physicians and other members of the health care team in the delivery of patient care. Reports to ASC Administrator.

UNIT LEADERSHIP

• Supervises and coordinates the day-to-day activities and unit operations of the surgery center
• Ensures adequate staffing levels by supporting staff to make appropriate decisions; understands and takes into consideration both unit and organizational staffing resource needs, and appropriately allocates/assigns staffing resources based upon those needs
• Facilitates teamwork and cooperation among staff, effectively follows-up and resolves routine employee relations issues, seeking support from Nurse Manager with more complex issues
• Participates in the selection, hiring and orientation process for unit staff; partners with nurse manager in all phases of the performance management process (planning, ongoing feedback/coaching, check ins, and appraisal) for assigned staff; facilitates off-shift staff meetings; Identifies shift equipment, supply and services issues; communicates with appropriate personnel, and follows-through to resolve resource issues.
• Participates in a variety of administrative managerial activities such as the development, implementation, and enforcement of unit policies and procedures
• follows-up on occurrence reports
• Drives success within team to achieve unit and department scorecard goals.

 CLINICAL PRACTICE

• Competent to provide direct clinical care as needed. Provides safe, appropriate patient care to a defined patient population according to CT Children's and department policies and standards.
• Coordinates with the unit based clinical nurse education liaison to ensure that staff receive education on new treatment modalities and on the care of new patient populations.
• Facilitates teamwork among department staff and between departments to help ensure a seamless service and optimal care to patients and families.

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION

• Demonstrates effective communication and collaboration skills with all members of the health care team. Develops, or assists others in developing comprehensive plans of care that recognize the multidisciplinary contributions to patient care.

DOCUMENTATION

• Conducts chart reviews and follows-up to ensure ongoing readiness for regulatory purposes. Completes all required documentation in a timely manner, according to CCMC policies and standards; necessary information is effectively communicated to all members of the health care team. Provides feedback to clinical staff regarding compliance with unit documentation standards.

PATIENT /FAMILY PARTNERSHIP AND EDUCATION

• Conducts daily rounds of unit consistently fielding routine patient/staff issues. Follows through to resolution issues identified in patient satisfaction survey.
• Partners with child and family in evaluating outcomes. Monitors, trends, and evaluates patient/family responses to treatment.
• Provides appropriate education to patients and families regarding all aspects of care according to CCMC policies and standards; supports the organization's efforts to patient/family education.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

• Demonstrates commitment to continuous quality improvement; leads changes processes by coordinating unit-based quality improvement activities in conjunction with the unit-based councils for the department and or organization; collaborates in the review and development of policies and procedures. With the unit councils and education support, implements improvements, ensuring appropriate education of affected staff; and, ensures system for ongoing monitoring and evaluation. Identifies clinical issues and promotes quality improvement and/or research activities directed toward improving patient care.

POPULATION-SPECIFIC

• Demonstrates knowledge of the differences and needs of patients in appropriate, specific populations from neonate through adolescence and applies them to practice. Demonstrates cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients/families. Collaborates with manager and others to develop a systematic approach to addressing the population-specific differences of patients/families.