Registered Nurse (RN) Clinical Supervisor, Med/Surg in Wellsville, New York at Jones Memorial Hospital

The Clinical Supervisor is responsible for supervising and supporting all staff positions on the medical surgical unit, with the direct purpose of facilitating a consistent standard of excellence in patient care delivery.

The Clinical Supervisor will directly monitor for patient outcomes, staff performance and team success in meeting the highest possible level of patient service. Concurrent review and intervention when needs are identified will be one of the highest priorities for the Clinical Supervisor.

This role will have a variety of duties as explained in the categories to be listed within this position description. These duties may vary and/or be adjusted according to regulatory, organizational and unit specific needs as identified by the leadership.

The Clinical Supervisor will report directly to the Director of Acute Care Services. This position is considered a full time position for the day shift on the unit. During non-regular business hours, the Clinical Supervisor will utilize the Administrative Coordinator as Chain of Command. The Clinical Supervisor will still need to communicate with the Director regarding concerns and events that need further investigation in order to promote unit function and team process for quality patient care.

MAJOR TASKS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. MENTORSHIP: Supports and mentors staff during the shift facilitating quality care outcomes consistently
   1. 1. Strives to assist all team members in skill development, providing information and education as staff communicate concerns about direct patient care
      2. Actively participates in team steering initiatives based on data review, guiding unit/team growth and improved patient outcomes.
      3. Participates in Annual and Probationary review of all staff members hired within the medical surgical unit
      4. Assists in review and update of unit-specific orientation needs to ensure consistency in the delivery of patient care
      5. Takes initiative to develop staff knowledge when an area of risk is identified through collaboration with director and clinical supervisor counterparts
2. PATIENT FLOW: Maintains optimum flow of the unit balancing patient movement and placement as appropriate based on factual information to support patients and employee while in this setting.
   1. 1. Expedites admissions; discharges and transfers in a timely fashion
      2. Gathers all necessary information to place patients safely based on admission criteria
      3. Avoids and minimizes delays by delegating appropriate tasks in this category to optimize patient flow
      4. Receives and provides a comprehensive report of all patients on the unit to maintain situational awareness for optimal utilization of resources
      5. Assists and maintains unit schedule, communicating concerns and options to the director proactively to avoid imbalances in staffing based on patient census
      6. The schedule will be posted at a minimum 30 days in advance to facilitate staff satisfaction
      7. Maintain and assist a current complete schedule when staff provide completed paperwork for schedule switches and preapproved vacations by the director
         • (i) As employees complete lateral switches, the Clinical Supervisor will determine and enter the switch once all elements of the switch form has been completed correctly
         • (ii) In the event that a switch results in overtime being generated, the Clinical Supervisor must obtain Director's approval as special circumstances may be considered.
      8. Monitors and assigns patients distributing work equitably within the shift communicating with staff identified changes in assignments safely
3. COMMUNICATION: Develops and maintains strong communication with staff to keep team members situationally aware of unit happenings
   1. 1. Makes patient rounds independently or with other healthcare providers.
      2. Will facilitate shift huddle at designated times.
         • (i) Huddles will only take 3-5 minutes to share current information to ensure safe patient care.
         • (ii) Huddle time may be changed if emergent events arise at this time. Huddle may be changed when the Clinical Supervisor feels there is an optimal time later in the shift.
         • (iii) Huddles may not be moved to the end of the shifts as this does not allow for situational awareness and positive impact on patient care.
      3. Communicates well with all team members, including, but not limited to:
         • (i) Physicians; Mid-levels; Physician delegates; All ancillary and supportive staff to include; Lab Technicians; Case management; Medical Imaging technicians; Respiratory Therapists; EKG technicians; Food and Nutrition staff; Facilities and Housekeeping staff; Registration; Administration; Clergy and, any other additional positions as they relate to patient care.
      4. Facilitates strong communication with external resources to ensure positive representation of organization within the community
      5. Assists external resources with needs facilitating transfers; direct admits and, any other situational events pertaining to patient care for collaborative process
4. QUALITY METRICS: Monitors and trends patient outcomes as detailed by the director to include audits listed:
   1. 1. Concurrent clinical observation; Chart review; Staff inquiry; direct patient interview
      2. Attends monthly clinical supervisor meetings actively participating in collaboration of unit objectives
      3. Address patient concerns in a timely fashion and alerting director and supervisors as situation determines to ensure positive outcomes and problem resolution.
      4. Monitors completion and appropriateness of patient care plans.
5. DELEGATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
   1. 1. Monitors supplies on the unit to ensure no interruption in ability to provide high quality care
      2. Delegates duties as job descriptions allow to ensure tasks are completed. The following are examples of acceptable processes to delegate:
         • (ii) Unit secretary can order supplies
         • (iii) Staff nurses can facilitate care delegated directly by the clinical supervisor
         • (iv) Unit patient care technicians can maintain non-patient care areas such as clean and dirty utility rooms
      3. Maintains surveillance over the unit identifying and ensuring proper state of all areas
      4. Delegates tasks and follows up to ensure tasks completed
      5. Maintains awareness of high risk concerns and alerts director in a timely fashion of any potential problems seeking direction as needed for consistent positive outcomes
         • (v) Ensures fall huddles are completed in the event of a fall
         • (vi) Ensures complete event report entered into Midas to ensure proper procedure for review is initiated
6. DEMONSTRATED BEHAVIORS REQUIRED:
   1. 1. Must possess a strong ability to communicate in a positive fashion especially when facing significant challenges to ensure quality patient outcomes
      2. Must possess a strong ability to collaborate with all internal and external resources creating positive relationships to enhance organizational position with regard to patient care
      3. Must have a strong ability to prioritize duties on a continuum adjusting throughout the shift with specific goals kept intact:
         • (i) Positive patient outcomes
         • (ii) Minimization of delay
         • (iii) Safe patient care
         • (iv) Complete communication with staff
         • (v) Easy identification of situations requiring administrative awareness and input
         • (vi) Risk assessment to patient, team, unit, organization
      4. Must demonstrate flexibility and adaptation skills to address needs of the unit in situational events such as, but not limited to, high volume, patient changes in condition; emergencies as defined in safety manuals.
      5. Must demonstrate multitasking capabilities on a continuum.
      6. Must demonstrate strong resolve to see situational events through to completion or until he/she communicate specifics to someone in the chain of command
7. OTHER DUTIES UNDER THIS POSITION:
   1. 1. Scheduling: One Clinical Supervisor will have the responsibility of ensuring the schedule is completed 2 weeks prior to Director required posting for review and potential adjustments to ensure safe unit coverage. The Clinical supervisor that is responsible for scheduling will include all preapproved vacations and any requests on staff behalf to ensure satisfaction of all involved.
      2. Supplies: One Clinical Supervisor will assist with and monitor supplies to ensure proper stock is maintained. He/she will be assisting in streamlining supplies to eliminate waste and duplication of stock. He/she will also maintain a special order roster which will be kept up to date collaborating with purchasing.
      3. Meditech Lead: Two Clinical Supervisors will collaborate and assist with uniform training of all super users and clinical supervisors to ensure uniformity in use of the electronic health record. There will be designated Super users on both day and night shift. This Clinical Supervisor will be the liaison between MIS and Staff Development to streamline consistent practice and documentation.
      4. Director Coverage: A Clinical Supervisor may be asked to assist in Director absence/vacation to ensure consistent performance of the unit and team. This individual will have an orientation to be completed by the director communicating to leadership a successful completion and competency to cover the role.

EDUCATION: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing. Bachelor’s Degree preferred. New York State Licensure and current registration as Registered Nurse required. BLS, ACLS, PALS certification required.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum of 3 years acute care experience as a RN with effective communication skills. Leadership experience and/or training preferred. Demonstrated excellent customer service skills.

CONTACTS: Frequent contact with patients, physicians, visitors, employees, and departments.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Stands and walks most of the day.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Normal. Frequent exposure to disagreeable odors, cuts, burns, infections, communicable diseases, strains and injuries from patients and equipment.