Unit Leader

White Plains Hospital Job DescriptionTitle: Unit Leader Job Code: 300222Department/Location: Department Specific FLSA Status: Non-exemptReports to: Nurse Manager/AssistantNurse ManagerPosition SummaryThe Unit Leader plays a key role in supporting the bedside nurse to provide safe patient care and to achieve organizational, departmental, and individual goals. In collaboration with the Nurse Manager the Unit Leader incorporates leadership and communication skills to be an effective change agent on the unit. Supporting the mission of WPH and the nursing division, the Unit Leader acts a role model demonstrating sound time management, conflict resolution, and delegation skills. The Unit Leader acts as a liaison between management, staff, physicians, patients and families, ancillary staff, and other departments. The Unit Leader leads by example and holds staff accountable to provide safe patient care and a high level of patient satisfaction.Essential Functions And Responsibilities Includes The FollowingIn collaboration with the Nurse Manager & Asst. Nurse Manager, the Unit Leader:Understands and adheres to the WPH Performance Standards, Policies and BehaviorsAssures that quality, safe patient care and clinical services are rendered in accordance with established hospital, regulatory agency, and nursing evidence-based standardsIs positive role model for the nursing profession and can demonstrate through exemplars evidence of coaching, mentoring, problem-solving, and acting a resource person for staff and peers on all shiftsIdentifies, develops, implements, and monitors unit-based quality and Performance Improvement initiatives to provide quantifiable evidence of progression toward the success and outcome of unit-based goalsProvides flexibility with scheduling self in accordance with the Nurse Manager and Assistant Nurse Manager to provide clinical leadership on the nursing units or to meet unit-based needsAdheres to the unit-based budget and provides nursing staff and resources in accordance with budgetary guidelinesCollaborates with physicians and other members of the health care team to assure delivery of optimum, age- appropriate patient careIdentifies and implements nursing evidence-based and/or best practices to develop Nursing Standards and protocols for the delivery of optimum patient careParticipates clinically in patient care and accepts patient care assignments as required for the delivery of safe, optimum patient careInsures that unit-based professional and non-professional staff participate in continuing education activities, nursing shared governance, maintenance of organization-required annual competencies, and adherence to organizational policies and proceduresParticipates in task forces, committees, or projects as assignedMaintains a continuous safe patient care and work environment in accordance with requirements of accrediting and regulatory agenciesParticipates in interdisciplinary collaboration based on theoretical concepts of team building and team participation and can provide quantifiable evidence and exemplars of the success of that collaborationDemonstrates mastery of customer service skills, including patient rounding and monitoring of outcomes through successful and maintained patient satisfaction scores that surpass nationally-benchmarked scoresIdentifies and creates action plans with quantifiable measurement and outcomes to correct deficiencies in patient and nursing satisfactionIs a positive change agent on the unit and supports all organization-based initiatives and projectsPerforms all other related duties as assigned.Education & Experience RequirementsCurrent NY State LicenseBSN (or MSN) required.Knowledge of current nursing, medical and health trends and practices in rendering of patient care.One year of RN experience in the area of specialty or practice preferred.BCLS certification is required.ACLS certification is required for all RNs, except for NICU & Operating Room RNs. All newly hired, inexperienced nurses must receive this certification within 12 months. All newly hired, experienced nurses must receive this certification within 6 months.PALS certification is required for all RNs working in the PACU, 5I Pediatrics, Emergency Department, Armonk Urgent Care, Ambulatory Surgery and 226 Ambulatory Surgery Center. All newly hired, inexperienced nurses must receive this certification within 12 months. All newly hired, experienced nurses must receive this certification within 6 months.NRP certification is required for all RNs working in the Mother-Baby unit, Labor & Delivery and NICU. All newly hired nurses to the NICU, L&D and the Mother-Baby unit must receive this certification within 6 months.Demonstrates a basic knowledge of management skillsPrevious management/leadership experience preferred2 years previous clinical experience in area of unit concentration preferredAbility to function as staff RNDemonstrates excellence in clinical skillsCore CompetenciesTeamwork & AdaptabilityActs as a Professional Role ModelAssessment SkillsExcellent Communication Skills (both verbal and written)Attention to DetailPlanning & OrganizingSound Problem-Solving, Judgment and Decision-Making SkillsStress TolerancePhysical/Mental Demands/Requirements & Work EnvironmentMay be exposed to chemicals necessary to perform required tasks. Any hazardous chemicals the employee may be exposed to are listed in the hospital’s SDS (Safety Data Sheet) data base and accessed through the hospital’s Intranet site (Employee Tools/SDS Access). A copy of the SDS data base can also be found at the hospital switchboard, saved on a disc.Position requires ability to move about freely at least 85 per cent of the time.Must be able to remain stationary for extended/prolonged periodsFrequently moves/transports objects up to fifty (50) pounds and must be able to move patients of all weights with a minimum of one (1) assist or assistive device/equipmentMust be able to work in environment with continuous interruptionsMust be able to assess and respond to rapidly changing situational needs of patients, department and hospitalMust be able to adapt in a high stress and fast-paced environment with multiple interruptionsMust be able to detect sounds and respond to emergency sounds/signals at all timesMust be able to constantly operate computer, equipment and other devicesPosition requires ability to concentrate on fine detail with interruptions and attend to tasks for more than sixty (60) minutes at a time.Individual must be able to understand and relate to theories behind several related concepts and remember multiple tasks given during the course of a day.Primary Population ServedCheck Appropriate Box(s) BelowNeonatal (birth – 28 days)Patients with exceptional communication needsInfant (29 days – less than 1 year)Patients with developmental delaysPediatric (1 – 12 years)Patients at end of lifeAdolescent (13 – 17 years)Patients under isolation precautionsAdult (18 – 64 years)Patients with cultural needsGeriatric (> 65 years)x All populationsBariatric Patients with weight related comorbiditiesNon-patient care populationThe responsibilities and tasks outlined in this job description are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of White Plains Hospital.Salary Range:$117,695-$152,756 (based on full time hours)