Clinical Mentor

Job Summary

Coordinates orientation, training and competency validation of unit staff. Provides ongoing leadership, support and guidance to all nursing staff. Presents a positive image and attitude to staff, patients and visitors. Utilizes the nursing process to promote and restore patient’s health status; collaborates with physicians and multidisciplinary team members; provides physical and psychological support to patients, family members and significant others; and supervises assigned team members. Uses a systematic critical-thinking approach to guide data gathering, assessment, nursing judgement, intervention and evaluation of human responses to actual and potential health problems through activities such as health teaching and the provision of care, supportive and restorative care and/or support of a peaceful death. All responsibilities are carried out in accordance with the mission, vision, strategic imperatives and standards of the organization, American Nurses Association Standards and in accordance with the provisions/statues set forth by the South Carolina Nurse Practice Act.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: Bachelors of Science in Nursing
Minimum Years of Experience: 2 Years of experience in areas of specialty within the past 5 years.
Substitutable Education & Experience (Optional): Consideration will be given to candidates with an ADN or Diploma nursing degree who are presently enrolled in a RN to BS in Nursing or RN to MS in nursing program with the expectation that the degree be completed within 12 months of hire/promotion into the Clinical Mentor role.
Required Certifications/Licensure: Current RN license to practice in the State of South Carolina;

National nursing certification in specialty at time of hire / promotion or must be obtained within 6 months of hire/promotion into role.

**Refer to Mandatory Certification Requirements P&P for required education/certification for various nursing specialties
Required Training: None.
 

Essential Functions

PATIENT CARE AND SUPPORT

• Establishes positive rapport with patient and family.
• Establishes a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families.
• Promotes patient's independence by establishing patient care goals; provides education to patient, and family in a manner they can understand their condition, medications, and self-care skills, etc. and provides them ample opportunity to ask questions.
• Serves as patient/family advocate.
• Maintains continuity among nursing teams by documenting accurately and timely; communicating actions, irregularities, and on-going needs.
• Uses a systematic critical-thinking approach to guide data gathering, assessment, nursing judgement, intervention and evaluation of human responses to actual and potential health problems.
• Identifies, synthesizes and interprets sources of data using reasonable clinical judgement to respond to dynamic situations in a timely and effective manner.
• Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
• Uses ethical decision making processes and advocates for acceptable patient outcomes.
• L&D Only:  A nurse must have documented competency and completion of department orientation to complete a medical screening exam (EMTALA).  Nurses will have 3 consecutive medical screenings reviewed and signed off by their preceptor prior to independently completing screenings.

CLINICAL WORK QUALITY

• Assures quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards; measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and standards; making or recommending necessary adjustments; following hospital and nursing division's philosophies and standards of care set by state board of nursing, state nurse practice act, and other governing agency regulations.
• Resolves patient problems and needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies.
• Participates in process/performance improvement activities and initiatives utilizing evidence based practice to maintain and/or improve quality of care and safe patient care systems and processes.
• Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations; calling for assistance from health care support personnel.
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.
• Documents all patient care activities accurately and timely.
• Provides safe, appropriate, quality of care and support to patients and family members.
• Holds team members accountable for standards of care, policy and procedures, bedside reporting, etc.
• Serves as a teacher, coa