POSITION SUMMARY: The NICU Nurse Manager under the direct supervision of the Perinatal Director, is assigned supervisory & clinical responsibilities of the nursing unit/department & staff related to the coordination & operation of the department/unit. Team member whose responsibilities include leading, supervising, & influencing the daily operational activities associated with the assigned team. Supports the overall business plan by monitoring team performance & outcomes relative to established goals/measurements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Staffing
1. Maintains a current awareness of staffing, coordination & evaluation of patient care needs. Contributes performance management information of assigned team to Perinatal Director. Oversees optimal daily staffing of unit & patient assignments in accordance with budgeted positions & staff skill sets.
2. Departmental & Organizational Resource:
1. Actively collaborates with management team to provide department/unit representation at departmental & hospital-wide council & committee meetings. Participates in & may lead productive unit staff meetings. Functions as a role model at the expert level of practice.
3. Systems Thinking
1. Participates in policy, procedure, guideline development and/or system redesign. Exhibits a comprehensive, intuitive grasp of clinical situations & is able to mobilize needed resources to achieve patient outcomes. Utilizes tools to ensure effective tracking & management of resources & enhancement of care practices. Recognizes system failures & participates in problem resolution, utilizing existing resources or developing new resources.
4. Education
1. Directs clinical nursing practice. Coordination & assessment of critical care educational development & clinical competency of the nursing staff. Ensuring continued neonatal critical care nursing competency through educational programs for both the newly-hired & experienced nursing staff. Consultation with staff on complex neonatal critical nursing issues. Oversight of comprehensive parent and or primary caretaker education activities. Ensuring the implementation of a coordinated and effective discharge planning program.
5. Leadership
1. Provides direction & leadership to team members as required & assist the team in identifying & securing necessary resources. Evaluates current practice & makes recommendations for improvement based on best practices, education & research. Mentors staff in professional development of new nurses, preceptor role & in-service education development.
6. Quality Improvement
1. Participates in the development & achievement of unit based goals & objectives. Oversees employee performance improvement activity, identifies opportunities for team improvement & recommends process to evaluate & implement approved changes.
7. Clinical Nurse
1. When needed to cover a clinical shift, responsible for independently applying the nursing process through the assessment, planning implementation, evaluation & documentation of neonatal patient care. Selects & administers the appropriate care and incorporating family centered care.
8. Accountable for high standards of patient care provided in the unit.
9. Demonstrates expertise in delivering quality patient care in the unit:

1. Through Performance Improvement involving staff in the studies and promotion and evaluating compliance.

2. Submits PI summaries in a timely manner as compiled by the nurse assigned.

3. Participates in quarterly Nursing PI meetings to assist in problem solving throughout the hospital.

1. Proactively identifies and addresses problems within the unit. Effectively manages conflict and change. Demonstrates expertise in coordinating complex clinical cases.
2. Organizes and conducts monthly staff meetings. Submits minutes to the Nursing Office & Perinatal Director within four weeks of meeting. Responsible for timely:

1. Educational Activities.

2. Performance Appraisals.

1. Maintains compliance with all regulations established by regulatory legislative and accrediting bodies and functions within the limits of the State Nursing Practice Act.
2. Maintains unit’s policy and procedure manual. Responsible for the development and updating of standards.
3. Actively contributes to cost control by managing time, resources and supplies effectively.
4. Maintains and demonstrates professional skills through self-development/continuing education. Attends at least one management class per year and pertinent classes for specific skills relevant to clinical area.
5. Creates an atmosphere of motivation and praise and assists staff in reaching its full potential. Works with Education to develop competency assessment of staff.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Effective oral and written communication skills.
2. Conducts one formal skills fair.
3. Objectively counsels and documents personnel problems. Monitors and evaluates staff in a timely manner.
4. Clearly and accurately communicates pertinent aspects of the patient’s care for other members of the Health Care team.
5. Maintains positive and caring interpersonal relationships with patients, families and co-workers.
6. Maintains records, logs, patient records as required in department.
7. Encourages team building and unit cohesiveness.
8. Makes assignments objectively, taking into consideration the employee’s expertise and skill level.

JOB RELATIONSHIPS:

1. Reports directly to the Perinatal Services Director.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS REQUIRED:

1. Current licensure to practice Registered Nursing in the State of California.
2. Two years of management experience in an acute setting (preferred).
3. Two years NICU clinical experience one of which shall have been in a facility with a NICU equivalent to a Regional, Community or Intermediate NICU (preferred).
4. Current ACLS, BLS & NRP certification.
5. Clinical experience as evidenced by specialty training specific to the nursing area of supervision.
6. NCC certification preferred.
7. Bachelor’s Degree minimum (Master’s Degree Preferred)
8. Knowledge of JCAHO, Title 22 Standards, Hospital and Nursing Policies.

AGE OF THE POPULATION SERVED: New born.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Manual dexterity with fine motor ability to operate and handle equipment used in the department.
2. Ability to hear the spoken word, auscultate for physical assessment skills and monitor alarms.
3. Ability to see written type.
4. Ability to stand for up to several hours at a time.
5. Ability to climb stairs.
6. Must be able to lift 25 pounds and able to perform tasks of lifting, turning and transferring patients.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to follow written and oral instructions. Must have the ability and desire to learn job functions outlined in the job description, work as part of a team in order to achieve a common goal and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

SCHEDULING AND AVAILABILITY:

1. Scheduling is determined by patient care needs and includes 24 hours on-call responsibility for administrative assistance.
2. This is a full time position requiring attendance at meetings, workshops and facility functions as determined by the Associate Administrator for Clinical Services.

I have read the above job description and fully understand the requirements set forth therein. I hereby accept the position of Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit Supervisor and agree to abide by the requirements set forth and will perform all duties and responsibilities.

________________________ ____________________________________

Date Employee

________________________ ____________________________________

Date Perinatal Director