Clinical Resource Nurse

Summary: 

The Clinical Resource Nurse is a Registered Nurse who demonstrates the ability to coordinate patient care to meet the complex needs of the patient population on the unit. This nurse will support and promote all education, quality, patient safety initiatives, and a solid commitment to the patient experience. In addition, this nurse will role model and mentor problem solving and critical thinking. Communication with all health care team members will be respectful and professional. A commitment to one's professional development is essential in this nursing leadership role.

Job Responsibilities: 

1)  Competent in Medical-Surgical - Telemetry nursing. Acts as a clinical resource for the staff. Proficient in all clinical skills that are appropriate to those units. Knowledge in accessing clinical resources. Acts as a role model and mentor to staff who do not possess the skill set of any such procedure or initiative.

2) Maintains a professional demeanor by promoting an atmosphere of team work along with a positive and supportive work environment.

3) Positively supports all patient care initiatives and communicates the connection to evidence based practice which contribute to positive patient outcomes.

4) Respectfully communicates and creates a healthy work environment by valuing each team member's contribution to quality patient care.

5) Possess insight into the staff's competency skill set and patient acuity when creating assignments, as well as delegating tasks appropriately to the skill level of each staff member.

6) Is open to and invites constructive criticism. Has an awareness to the needs of the unit and is flexible to the evolving complexity of the units activity. Can evaluate a clinical or staff member concern and make changes or recommendations appropriately.

7) Committed to prioritizing patient safety and quality of care as evidenced by meeting the Core Measure, NDNQI, HCAHPS, and other organizational goals.

8) Efficiently facilitates the flow on the patient care unit; report, admissions, transfers and discharges.

9) Promotes high quality patient care by consistently meeting the patient's and family's expectations of excellent care; proactively engaging patients and families to identify expectations and goals of this admission.

10) Committed to one's own professional development by attending all in-services, key nursing practice meetings and shares information with other members of the patient care team.

11) Demonstrates to staff where to locate on line resources. Role models problem solving when a practice challenge arises. Takes the time to coach staff on new or low frequency procedures. Has a professional Communication style and maintains a professional appearance.

12) Attends all in services that pertain to practice change and actively participates in discussion regarding the change. Can champion the change by understanding the connection to evidence based practice and positive patient outcomes. Is comfortable with the nay - sayers and can maintain an attitude of can-do rather than won't-do.

13) Communication - Uses the operating principles of Baystate Health. Provides feedback to supervisors / managers on any nurse practice concerns. Listens respectfully. Is aware of ones own body language during interactions with team members, patients and families.

14) Can assign patients appropriately to staff based on the nurse's skill set i.e. new grad vs. experienced RN or Wound Care Nurse vs. Reiki, or Peritoneal Dialysis. Can also ensure that delegated tasks to the C.N.A.'s are with in their scope of practice.

15) Is flexible to changes on the units, can prioritize needs, assigns staff appropriately and regroup when acuity goes up, admissions and discharges are occurring simultaneously. Open to feedback from the team and/or asks for feedback on how the day is going and what, if any, ideas do the staff have to make it better.

16) Assistance with core measure tracking will be done by this nurse. Any core measure component that is missed will be communicated to the following shift for completion. This nurse will have knowledge of all measurable quality initiatives and HCAHPS and will prioritize patient safety and satisfaction throughout the shift. Interruptions will be minimized during crucial medication administration times.

17) This nurse will be aware and committed to efficient flow of patients on and off the unit. All efforts will be made to ensure that report is taken in a timely manner, patients arrive to the floo