Position Summary

The 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 Following:

In collaboration with the Nurse Manager & Asst. Nurse Manager, the Unit Leader:

• Understands and adheres to the WPH Performance Standards, Policies and Behaviors
• Assures that quality, safe patient care and clinical services are rendered in accordance with established hospital, regulatory agency, and nursing evidence-based standards
• Is 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 shifts
• Identifies, 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 goals
• Provides 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 needs
• Adheres to the unit-based budget and provides nursing staff and resources in accordance with budgetary guidelines
• Collaborates with physicians and other members of the health care team to assure delivery of optimum, age- appropriate patient care
• Identifies and implements nursing evidence-based and/or best practices to develop Nursing Standards and protocols for the delivery of optimum patient care
• Participates clinically in patient care and accepts patient care assignments as required for the delivery of safe, optimum patient care
• Insures 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 procedures
• Participates in task forces, committees, or projects as assigned
• Maintains a continuous safe patient care and work environment in accordance with requirements of accrediting and regulatory agencies
• Participates 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 collaboration
• Demonstrates mastery of customer service skills, including patient rounding and monitoring of outcomes through successful and maintained patient satisfaction scores that surpass nationally-benchmarked scores
• Identifies and creates action plans with quantifiable measurement and outcomes to correct deficiencies in patient and nursing satisfaction
• Is a positive change agent on the unit and supports all organization-based initiatives and projects
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

 Education & Experience Requirements

1. Current NY State License
2. All RNs hired in 2016 or later must have a minimum of a Baccalaureate in Nursing (BSN) or show evidence of enrollment and completion of BSN by 2020
3. Knowledge of current nursing, medical and health trends and practices in rendering of patient care.
4. One year of acute care nursing experience preferred for areas other than medical surgical or step-down
5. BCLS certification is required.
6. ACLS certification is required for all RNs working in ICU, CCU, CCL, 4F, and 3F, PACU, Emergency Department, Ambulatory Surgery and Endoscopy. All newly hired, inexperienced nurses must receive this certification within 18 months. All newly hired, experienced nurses must receive this certification within 9months.
7. PALS certification is required for all RNs working in the PACU, 5I Pediatrics, Emergency Department and Ambulatory Surgery. All newly hired, inexperienced nurses must receive this certification within 18 months. All newly hired, experienced nurses must receive this certification within 9 months.
8. 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.
9. Demonstrates a basic knowledge of management skills
10. Previous management/leadership experience preferred
11. 2 years previous clinical experience in area of unit concentration preferred
12. Ability to function as staff RN
13. Demonstrates excellence in clinical skills

 Core Competencies

• Teamwork & Adaptability
• Acts as a Professional Role Model
• Assessment Skills
• Excellent Communication Skills (both verbal and written)
• Attention to Detail
• Planning & Organizing
• Sound Problem-Solving, Judgment and Decision-Making Skills
• Stress Tolerance

 Physical/Mental Demands/Requirements & Work Environment

• May 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 periods
• Frequently 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/equipment
• Must be able to work in environment with continuous interruptions
• Must be able to assess and respond to rapidly changing situational needs of patients, department and hospital
• Must be able to adapt in a high stress and fast-paced environment with multiple interruptions
• Must be able to detect sounds and respond to emergency sounds/signals at all times
• Must be able to constantly operate computer, equipment and other devices
• Position 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.