I. Major Responsibilities:  

1. Facilitates implementation of the nursing process by providing support and direction and by acting as the clinical and administrative resource person.  In emergency situations assumes operational administrative authority. 

2. Oversees and coordinates the work of nursing personnel in the absence of the responsible nurse manager or clinical director/associate director of nursing.  Assumes responsibility for incoming sick calls and notification of units as required.  Assigns/reassigns nursing personnel including critical care and acute care float personnel according to patient acuity/staffing changes.  Anticipates patient care needs on the following shifts and takes appropriate action to meet those needs.  Directs nursing staff to appropriate resource personnel for management of patient care problems. 

3. Assigns one-on-one Observation Assistants and maintains an up-to-date list of patients requiring one-on-one observation (University Campus). 

4. Utilizes non-nursing, on call, personnel as appropriate (Memorial Campus). 

5. Responsible for bed management/admission process in the absence of the admission controller and in conjunction with UMMHC, physicians, Life flight, outlying/affiliated health care systems and the admissions department.  

6. Identifies intra/interdepartmental problems and works with appropriate managers to resolve them. 

7. Identifies educational needs of personnel and channels them appropriately. 

8. Upon request from the Department of Nursing Education, serves as a preceptor for individual professional nursing students. 

9. May provide input to performance evaluations of shift nursing personnel. 

10. Offers guidance and support to nursing staff for nursing practice. 

11. Assesses clinical nursing practice and makes appropriate recommendations and communicates pertinent issues and need for follow up to managers and directors. 

12. Supports team building concept within the Department of Nursing.  Supports and facilitates the concept of Professional Nursing. 

13. Functions as resource support person to individuals/families in crisis with collaboration of social, spiritual, legal and security staff, if necessary. 

14. Provides support, guidance, and coordination of urgent treatment for hospital personnel related to health risk incidents in the absence of employee health. 

15. Collaborates with Public Relations to provide accurate/current patient information during shift hours with adherence to blackout, law and Medical Examiner enforcement guidelines. 

16. Ensures that a safe environment is maintained for all patients and for hospital personnel on duty. 

17. Directs procurement of equipment/supplies/records or other items necessary for patient care. 

Standard Management Level Responsibilities:   

1. Directs and supervises assigned personnel including performance evaluations, scheduling, orientation, and training. Makes recommendations on employee hires, transfers, promotions, salary changes, discipline, terminations, and similar actions. Resolves grievances and other personnel problems within position responsibilities. 

2. Develops and recommends the budgets for the areas managed. Manages activities to assure financial goals are met. 

3. Coordinates the assignment of tasks and helps resolve technical and operational problems. Evaluates the impact of solutions to ensure goals are achieved. 

4. Provides effective direction, guidance, and leadership over the staff for effective teamwork and motivation; and fosters the effective integration of efforts with system-wide initiatives. 

5. Encourages and supports diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standards of Respect, and contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of professionalism, respect, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients, and visitors. 

6. Integrates diversity into departmental objectives, such as hiring, promotions, training, vendor selections, etc. 

7. Participates in performance improvement initiatives and demonstrates the use of quality improvement in daily operations. 

8. Ensures compliance with regulatory agencies such as Joint Commission, DPH (Department of Public Health), etc. Develops and maintains procedures necessary to meet regulatory requirements. 

9. Ensures that department complies with hospital established policies, quality assurance programs, safety, and infection control policies and procedures. 

10. Ensures adequate equipment and supplies for department. 

11. Develops and maintains established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives. 

12. Ensures compliance to all health and safety regulations and requirements. 

13. Maintains, regular, reliable, and predictable attendance. 

14. Performs similar or related duties as required or directed. All responsibilities are essential job functions. 

II. Position Qualifications: 

License/Certification/Education: 

Required: 

1. BSN 

2. Current license to practice nursing in Massachusetts. 

Preferred: 

1. MSN 

Experience/Skills: 

Required: 

1. Minimum of 4 years’ current experience in an acute care/tertiary care facility. 

2. Minimum of one year of experience in the clinical preceptor and/or resource role. 

3. Demonstrated Leadership potential.  

4. Sound knowledge of current general nursing theories and techniques.  

5. Knowledge of current management principles.    

6. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.    

Preferred: 

1. Minimum of 2 years of nursing management experience.  

2. Knowledge of current management principles.   

1. Coordinates clinical practice and deployment of resources at the unit level for staff to ensure implementation of clinical processes, adherence to standards, and compliance with regulatory standards. 

2. Keeps nurse managers and designees informed of nursing workload, changes in patient and employee needs, and other problems. 

3. Assists in enhancing communication between units, directing patient flow between units, and  facilitates on-unit safety huddles and daily briefings.  

4. Assesses the number and competency level of staff in each assigned area and adjusts staffing appropriately to meet patient care needs. 

5. Facilitates communication between nursing and other disciplines.