Team Lead Nurse: PICU

Connecticut Children’s is a leading pediatric academic medical center consistently ranked by our peers as among the best children’s hospitals in the nation. Connecticut Children’s is the only hospital in Connecticut dedicated exclusively to the health and well-being of children and families. Connecticut Children’s physicians and researchers are dedicated to advancing pediatric care through medical innovation, cutting-edge technology, and research. With more than 200 physicians and 200 pediatric residents and fellows in over 20 pediatric specialty areas, Connecticut Children’s serves as the primary teaching, clinical and research site for the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. For more information, visit www.connecticutchildrens.org or connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/connecticutchildrens and Twitter at www.twitter.com/ctchildrens.

In conjunction with the Nurse Manager, assists in coordinating the day-to-day activities and operations of the PICU. Collaborates with patients, families, peers, physicians and other members of the health care team in the delivery of quality patient care. Provides direct care to patients as required. Assumes resource nurse role when working. Provides off shift visibility and coverage. Reports to the Nurse Manager.

Clinical Practice/Quality and Patient Safety:

• Frequently takes patient assignment. When caring for patients, demonstrates clinical expertise and uses the nursing process to provide safe, appropriate patient care to a defined patient population according to Connecticut Children’s and unit policies and standards.
• Exemplifies leadership skills and is recognized as an expert by peers and others.
• Applies expertise in helping peers with complex patient issues, and develops strategies to support staff in caring for a new patient type,
• Demonstrates commitment to continuous quality improvement. Leads change processes by coordinating quality improvement activities in the PICU.
• Identifies clinical issues and promotes quality improvement activities.
• Demonstrates effective communication and collaboration skills with all members of the health care team
• Holds self and team accountable for quality outcomes and continuous quality improvement,
• Understands and takes into consideration both departmental and organizational staffing resource needs and appropriately allocates/assigns staffing resources based upon those needs.

Customer Satisfaction:

• Demonstrates commitment to customer service. Works with Nurse Manager and Patient Advocates with patient/family issues requiring service recovery
• Mentors staff to handle conflicts and resolve issues independently.
• Supports the organizational efforts toward patient/family education
• Demonstrates knowledge of the differences and needs of patients in appropriate, specific populations from neonate to young adult and applies them to practice.
• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients/families.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Functions as role model, demonstrating core behaviors with all interactions and provides feedback to clinical staff.
• Facilitates teamwork and cooperation among staff.
• Participates in hiring and onboarding of new staff.
• In conjunction with the Nurse Manager, participates in all phases of the performance management process (check ins, on-going feedback/coaching, appraisals and orientation) for assigned staff.
• Partners with Nurse Manager to facilitate monthly staff meetings.
• Ensures necessary information is effectively communicated to all members of the team.
• Effectively follows up and resolves routine employee relations issues, seeking support from Nurse Manager and Human Resources for more complex issues.
• Promotes development of innovative approaches to improve patient care.

Education and/or Experience Required:

• Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, minimum of two years of pediatric experience.

Position Specific Job Education and/or Experience

• PICU experience required.

Licenses and/or Certifications Required:

• Current State of Connecticut Registered Licensure is required and maintained thereafter
• Current Basic life support (BLS)/CPR in adult, child and infant required upon hire
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) within one year of hire and maintained thereafter

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Knowledge of:

• Nursing and Institutional Strategic Plan.
• Day to day needs of patients on PICU, including ECMO, CRRT and Cardiac patients
• Accreditation and certification requirements and standards.
• Medical equipment as it relates to patient care on the units.

Skills:

Communication and Influence:

• Advocate on behalf of CT Children’s.
• Actively listen to ideas of others.
• Present complex information in a clear and compelling way (verbally and written).
• Ensure staff are provided with appropriate information about issue that may impact them.
• Effectively gain commitment from others.

Ability to:

• Work assigned off-shifts, including weekends, evenings, nights, and holidays as needed
• Provide expert nursing care and consultation to patient/families; to demonstrate clinical competencies with specialty areas; and assess the competencies of others.
• Demonstrate all CT Children’s Leadership Competencies.
• Supervise and train employees, foster employee development and performance management.
• Act in a professional capacity and serve as a professional role model
• Lead change, including encouraging innovation, and employing strategies to overcome resistance to change.
• Build a high performing team by coaching team members and holding others accountable.
• Foster teamwork and collaboration. Partners with colleagues to accomplish common goals, constructively raise concerns, use problem solving approaches to identify solutions.
• Demonstrate personal Leadership by treating others with respect, admitting mistakes, taking responsibilities for actions and decisions, and modeling integrity in an ethical manner.