Senior Clinical Nurse II, Comprehensive Medical Rehab Unit
University of Maryland Medical System

Job Requirements

This role is designed for the nurse who has achieved expertise and leadership in the clinical and professional role. Leads and evaluates evidence based practice, actively participates and/or leads organizational initiatives, mentors and coaches nurses and other disciplines, exemplifies the role of the professional nurse and demonstrates active involvement in clinical and professional nursing beyond the walls of the unit and/or organization.

Clinical Practice:

• Provides independent care of unit specific patient population; serves as Clinical Resource for others, utilizes and integrates evidence into practice, functions effectively in roles specific to unit (such as charge nurse, etc.).
• Accountable to patients and families for the processes and outcomes of care during an episode of care.
• Accountable to peers for the advancement of group practice on the unit, and to the nurse manager for the totality of work performance.

• Advances clinical practice in the unit and beyond when applicable through interaction of evidence into practice and/or research.
• Serves as a clinical expert and professional resource for nurses beyond the unit level; mentors and coaches other nurses to advance their development.
• Researches and integrates evidence based findings into practice beyond the unit.
• Utilizes clinical expertise to teach nurses in a structured role or through formal teaching in classes.
• Role models Patient-Centered Care and mentors others in their growth.

Service Quality/Safety

• Leads "Best Practice" initiatives for customer service and disseminates best practices beyond unit level.
• Participates in some or all elements of research. Demonstrates an understanding of the use of a model in the continuum of Performance improvement, EBP, and research.
• Monitors unit, divisional and/or organizational safety standards; leads improvement plans.

Unit Operations

• Expert charge nurse; serves as a resource and mentor to unit charge nurses.
• Evaluates effectiveness of charge nurse role at unit level and coordinates efforts to make changes.
• Leads hospital/unit governance activities; leads and/or actively participates in divisional, organizational and professional organizational initiatives; may lead councils or interdisciplinary groups focusing on a major initiative.
• Mentors Clinical Nurse II to unit, divisional, and/or organizational governance roles.
• Serves as a liaison for other departments such as lab, nutrition, pharmacy, etc.
• Active participant in TJC/CARF regulatory activities, such as tracers, etc.
• Monitors regulatory compliance requirements for unit/division; integrates new requirements into unit practice.
• Contributes to staff meetings and or unit communication (e.g., newsletters); lead meeting when needed.
• Contributes actively to performance management processes (in collaboration with Nurse Manager).

Professional Development

• Leads efforts to ensure staff competency for patient population; extends beyond the unit level.
• Mentors and coaches Clinical Nurse II leadership development.
• Serves as an expert preceptor and mentors others in the preceptor role; plans clinical experiences for orientation.
• Mentors and coaches unit leaders or those assuming leadership roles on councils or major governance initiatives.
• Demonstrates evidence of professional growth and development through at least one of the following:
• Current and active specialty certification, OR
• Current matriculation or completion of a degree or certificate program (Post-Baccalaureate or higher, 12 credits or greater) within past two years, OR
• Formal teaching within past two years, OR
• Member of a professional association board or committee within past two years (not a hospital committees.

Education & Experience

• Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Maryland, or eligible to practice due to Compact state agreements outlined through the MD Board of Nursing, is required.
• Maintenance of 30 contact hours of education every two years.
• Current CPR certification required.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Member of a professional organization.
• Recent applicable clinical experience in a comparable setting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to lead others, such as effectiveness as charge nurse, preceptor, or clinical resource.
• Demonstrated effectiveness as an interdisciplinary team member.
• Ability to learn and use computer systems in order to manage patient information.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.
• Demonstrated/documented highly effective interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.

Patient Safety

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

• Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
• Reports adverse events and near misses by entering information in the Risk Management reporting system (UMMS safe) and to manager/designee.
• Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.