The Assistant Nurse Manager (RN) will play a crucial role in supporting the overall management of nursing services, ensuring high-quality patient care, and fostering a positive and collaborative work environment for night shift staff. The Assistant Nurse Manager will work closely with the Director of Inpatient Nursing, the Med/Surg Clinical Nurse Manager, nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals to maintain and enhance the standards of care within our facility. 

Position Summary

The Assistant Nurse Manager (RN) provides direct and indirect patient care services that meet the psychosocial, physical, and restorative needs of each patient. The Assistant Nurse Manager's decisions and actions with patients and families are determined in an ethical manner, practicing compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of each person. Effectively communicates with patients/families, visitors, colleagues, physicians, leadership, and volunteers. All areas of nursing practice and care delivery are provided to achieve and maintain top-decile results and outcomes for patient experience, quality, and patient safety. The Assistant Nurse Manager follows and adheres to UNC Health Appalachian's policies and procedures, regulatory requirements, and standards of behavior. The Assistant Nurse Manager practices within the nurse practice act and their license.

The Assistant Nurse Manager demonstrates the UNC Health Appalachian's Mission, Vision, and Values in action and approaches work in a way that reflects action, efficiency, and personal accountability. The Assistant Nurse Manager demonstrates professional conduct, effective communication, and effective delegation of tasks. Effectively and professionally manages working relationships with coworkers, physicians, and all UNC Health Appalachian team members in a way that promotes a healthy work environment. Responds quickly and accurately to emergencies in the work environment and/or to changes in patient condition. Performs registered nursing duties under general supervision. Always assists coworkers, patients, families, and visitors regardless of the patient assignment, so long as the assistance is in-line with their scope of practice and license.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership:

• Collaborate with the Med/Surg Clinical Nurse Manager to oversee and coordinate clinical operations, ensuring compliance with established policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. 
• Provide guidance and support to nursing staff in delivering patient-centered care. 
• Participate in the development and implementation of evidence-based nursing practices.

Staff Development:

• Assist in the recruitment, orientation, and training of nursing staff. 
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback to promote professional growth.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and development within the nursing team.

Patient Care Coordination:

• Work closely with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to ensure seamless coordination of patient care.
• The identified candidate will be required to work in staffing as a charge nurse with time allotted for administrative responsibilities.
• Assist in the development and implementation of care plans and monitor their effectiveness. 
• Address and resolve patient and family concerns in a timely and compassionate manner.

Quality Improvement:

• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and monitor key performance indicators.
• Collaborate with the Med/Surg Clinical Nurse Manager to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to enhance patient outcomes.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Facilitate effective communication between nursing staff, healthcare providers, and other departments.
• Collaborate with the Med/Surg Clinical Nurse Manager to ensure a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Act as a liaison between nursing staff and management to address concerns and promote a culture of open communication.

Position Qualifications

Minimum Education

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

  • An Associate's Degree in Nursing is required. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is preferred. 

Experience

• At least two (2) years of previous experience as a registered nurse is required.

Required Registration/License/Certification

• Current/active license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of North Carolina.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) - BLS from the American Heart Association is required at the time of hire.
• All required certifications must be obtained within 1 year of hire date except Basic Life Support (BLS). 
• BLS, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications must be obtained from the American Heart Association.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with the public, patients, family, staff, and physicians and acts within the chain of command, utilizing positive verbal and non-verbal skills.
• Competent in delivering safe and effective patient care within legal limits of licensure and hospital policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the continuum of nursing care provided in the patient care department.
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional customer service to patients, family, staff, and physicians.
• Proven experience in a leadership or supervisory role within a healthcare setting. 
• Strong organizational and communication skills. 
• Ability to prioritize, delegate, and manage multiple responsibilities. 
• Knowledge of healthcare regulations and accreditation standards. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a compassionate approach to patient care. 

Physical Demands

• Lifts, positions, pushes, pulls and/or transfers up to and greater than 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity and mobility.
• Prolonged, extensive, or considerable sitting/standing/walking.
• Bending, squatting, twisting, turning.
• Near acuity: ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less.

Working Conditions

• Regularly exposed to the risk of blood-borne diseases.
• Frequently exposed to hazards from electrical/mechanical/power equipment, odorous chemicals and specimens, and unpleasant elements (accident, injury, slippery surfaces, uneven surfaces), etc.
• Subject to irregular hours (days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays) and emergency situations.
• Continuous standing and walking long periods = to or greater than > 8 hours per shift.
• Speaking, reading, and writing, expanded > 8 hours per day.
• Exposed to vibration and cramped spaces >1 hour per day.
• Frequently mobilizes patients > 4 hours per day.
• Frequently per shift: lifts, carries, pushes, and/or pulls > 50 lbs.
• Frequently per hour: bends, squats, kneels, twists, turns, and reaches.
• Frequently per minute: hand, finger, and wrist repetition and moderate dexterity.
• Frequently per hour, exposed to soft voices > 3 ft. away.
• Frequently per hour, exposed to close eye work.
• Infrequently per shift, may be exposed to ionizing/non-ionizing radiation exposure including x-ray and microwave.

Benefits and Compensation

Compensation is commensurate upon education & experience. Benefits begin the first of the month following 60 days of employment from the new hire orientation date. This position is a non-exempt position. 

• Comprehensive benefits package to include health, dental, and vision insurance as well as HSA. 
• Supplemental insurance to include short and long-term disability insurance, accidental insurance, life insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, critical illness insurance, identity theft protection, legal insurance, etc. 
• Student loan refinancing benefit and college savings fund as well as tuition reimbursement for qualifying employees. 
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match. 
• Paid time off - front-loaded for the first year for qualifying part-time and full-time employees (amount based on status and FTE at the time of hire) - paid time off accrual begins following the first year of employment. Cash out option also available for qualifying employees by meeting specified criteria.
• Paid parental leave - qualifying employees are eligible to use two (2) weeks of paid parental leave anytime during the first six (6) months following the birth or adoption of a child - to be taken consecutively. 
• Employee Wellness program - Love Your Life - award-winning voluntary wellness program available for UNC Health Appalachian employees. Employees enrolled on the organization's health plan can enroll with our health screening (biometrics and labs) and earn program incentives. Employees who are not enrolled on the organization's health plan can participate in online wellness activities for a chance to earn quarterly prize drawings.
• Employee to Employee (E2E) program - Caring for our own. Employee program that is solely funded by voluntary employee donations. The money is used to financially assist co-workers that are experiencing unexpected financial hardship. 
• Employee perks to include discounted rates for Dollywood, Biltmore, Tweetsie Railroad, etc. (subject to change). 
• Take a virtual tour of our new Schaefer Family Patient Care Tower by clicking here.

About UNC Health Appalachian

UNC Health Appalachian, the leader for healthcare in the High Country, comprises three hospitals, 13 medical practices, Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, The Rehabilitation Center, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation. UNC Health Appalachian stays committed to promoting health in the High Country, enhancing quality of life, and simply “making life better.“ 

About UNC Health

UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of 14 hospitals, 18 hospital campuses and more than 500 clinics along with the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine (SOM). It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina SOM. Over the past three years, UNC Health has provided more than $400 million in uncompensated or charity care to the citizens of North Carolina. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety and the overall patient experience. For more information, please visit unchealth.org. 

UNC Health Appalachian embraces diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. We value a workforce that reflects a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, as it enhances our ability to provide outstanding care. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. UNC Health Appalachian is committed to providing a fair and inclusive hiring process and a workplace where all team members feel respected and empowered. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us. 

Employment at UNC Health Appalachian is contingent upon successful completion of a background and drug screen.

For accommodations or additional information, contact recruitment@apprhs.org.