Nursing Team Leader - General Surgical Unit

Overview

Our General Surgical Unit is a 32-bed unit specializing in exceptional postoperative care for our general surgical patients. Nurses in this area have a 1:6 ratio and are trained in all aspects of postoperative care; including pain management, mobility, and bedside procedures. In this area especially, we value a comfortable and healing environment for each individual patient and their unqiue needs. This team will closely collaborate with local family practice physicians, hospitalists, as well as our surgeons. 

Responsibilities

The Team Leader functions as the unit-based clinical supervisor with responsibility for staff direction, patient flow, patient safety, resource utilization, shift assignments and overall quality of care delivered. The Team Leader, under the supervision of the unit manager, provides and coordinates in-services, continuing education programs, and mentoring of the clinical staff, especially recent hires. Actively coordinates and participates in PI activities; collects data to assess employee performance and participates in staff evaluation process. The Team Leader must be available to work weekend and holiday shifts based on unit needs.

Coordinates unit activities and provides leadership for unit staffing and patient assignments and responds to and provides leadership during crisis and emergency situations.

Responsible for supervision and evaluation of nursing care furnished to each patient in their assigned clinical department.

At a minimum, evaluate the care for each LPN assigned patient upon admission and when appropriate, on an ongoing basis in accordance with accepted standards of nursing practice and hospital policy.

Promotes efficient patient flow including timely discharges and admissions.

Encourages a safe environment by promoting adherence to established protocols, policies and procedures.

Serves as clinical resource and subject matter expert for staff.

Provides just in time feedback with appropriate accountability as needed.

Implements evidence based practices.

Rounds on patients, physicians, and employees.

Leads unit based daily huddle and represents unit at house wide daily huddle

Maintains records related to orientation in-service and unit competency assessments.

Adheres to productivity, revenue and expense goals.

Displays sound judgment and critical thinking skills in areas of decision-making and problem-solving

Maintains effective interdepartmental relationships by working with other unit leaders and departments to define and work toward common goals

Ensures compliance with various quality standards and regulatory agency requirements

May take management call as directed.

Facilitates bidirectional communication to ensure timely exchange of information to all stakeholders.

Treats all people (customers and employees) fairly and with respect.

Creates an environment that supports employee recruitment and retention.

***Relief Team Leaders do not hold the following key responsibilities/essential functions: #5, #9, #13, & #14

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.

• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.

• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current Alabama or Multistate License required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Current American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider training required
• Minimum 2 years’ experience as a registered nurse required.
• Specialty nursing experience preferred in applied area.

Must obtain within 6 months - American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted

Cardiac/Critical Care:

• ACLS

Emergency Department-both campuses:

• ACLS
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

Emergency Department – Regional Campus only:

• **Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)

Perioperative:

• ACLS
• PACU –PALS; ACLS

Women’s/Children:

• NICU –Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP)
• Labor & Delivery –ACLS, NRP, and Intermediate Fetal Monitoring
• Mother Baby Unit – NRP
• Pediatrics – PALS

Clinical Support:

• Cardiac Monitoring Unit –ACLS

Dialysis:

• ACLS

International RNs:

• Current approved Alabama Board of Nursing RN license or multi-state license required or ability to obtain prior to start.
• Current American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider training required or obtain within 30 days of start date.
• BSN preferred, minimum Associates required
• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

** TNCC must be completed w/in 12 months of hire date