Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

This position is responsible for assisting with the management of the patient care department by; coordinating staff development/education, quality improvement activities, scheduling staff hours, and performing other duties to facilitate nursing care for patients. Works under the direction of the Nurse Manager/department leadership and in conjunction with other members of the management team. This position is responsible for patient care. This position may be required to access and administer medications within their scope of practice and according to State Law.

Qualifications

Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Utah, or obtain one within 90 days of hire under the interstate compact if switching residency to State of Utah. Must maintain current Interstate Compact (multi-state) license if residency is not being changed to Utah.

• Two years general nursing experience.

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated vaccination requirements, or be approved for an exemption, prior to the first day of work. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

• Assists with the management of the department which involves input in performance evaluations, interviewing, hiring, counseling employees and administration of the budget.
• Supports and facilitates operational alignment with organization goals and strategies under the supervision of the Nurse Manager/department leadership.
• Responsible for the coordination of quality improvement initiatives.
• Coordinates staff education and development in coordination with the department manager and/or educator as appropriate. This may include conducting in-services, staff development programs and orientation.
• May be responsible for the scheduling of department staff.
• Investigates incident reports on patient care safety and counsels staff accordingly.
• May function as a preceptor.
• Serves as a resource to external contacts and hospital staff in coordinating the repair and replacement of instruments and equipment.
• Maintains inventory of specialized items and ensures items are available.
• Maintains a safe and therapeutic patient care environment.
• Performs professional staff nursing functions.
• Performs professional staff nursing functions to maintain clinical expertise to support departmental operations. A minimum of 2 clinical staff nurse shifts per month is required but may be greater based upon the needs of the department.
• May be required to take weekend/night/holiday administrative call on a regularly scheduled basis as mutually determined with the nurse manager.

Problem Solving

• Demonstrated potential ability to perform the essential functions as outlined above.
• Ability to provide care to the population served.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.
• Demonstrated teaching and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to function calmly and competently in high stress situations.
• Ability to balance clinical and management responsibilities.

Comments

The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.  The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.