At Merrimack Health, we are committed to pay transparency and equity. The base salary range is $58.65 to $87.15 hourly, excluding fringe benefits and potential bonuses.

Your final base salary will be determined based on your education, experience, licensure, and internal equity considerations. Offers are typically made below the top of the range to support future salary growth.

JOB SUMMARY:

Responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the department. Collaborates with the Director as appropriate. Communicate with other ancillary departments as necessary to maintain excellence in patient care. Assumes 24-hour accountability for management of the department in conjunction with the Director. Works as an active clinical nurse when the need arises and is responsible for delivery of patient care through the nursing process in accordance with standards of care and age specific category requirements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Effectively maintains all required records for the department, demonstrates good organizational skills regarding record keeping; organizes, directed, participates in the compilation and analysis of data, and submits reports as required.
• Directs/delegates staff by correlating patient needs with established standards of care and appropriate levels of personnel to ensure an effective operation of the unit.
• Monitors staffs’ documentation of the nursing process for completion and reflection of the standards of care.
• Plays a role in risk management by identifying actual and potential problems and makes recommendations on how to resolve them by positive interaction.
• Participates in maintaining 100% compliance with JCAHO, DPH, OSHA standards.
• Consistently demonstrates the ability to train and develop staff members for new responsibilities and programs through optimal use of delegation; consistently assigns tasks to staff members in accordance with their personal abilities and limitations; assists staff with defining career paths.
• Prepares staff schedules and ensures adequate coverage.
• Assist the Director in keeping FTE’s within allotted levels. Makes recommendations and takes positive steps to ensure budget adherence. Anticipates capital equipment needs and recommends accordingly.
• Ensures that there are adequate ongoing educational programs and training opportunities for staff members, including orientation for new employees and relevant in-service education sessions; ensure staff attendance at required educational programs.
• Demonstrates a high level of mental and emotional tolerance and even temperament when dealing with people; works at establishing and maintaining a good rapport with others throughout the organization. Within the department, demonstrates the ability to create environment conducive to optimal efficiency; instills a service excellence approach. Gains cooperation of staff members while working towards the Hospital and department goals.
• Conducts regular unit meetings and conferences for an exchange of information and ideas on patient care, unit and hospital issues.
• Supervises staff members in a firm, fair, consistent manger, provides direction as necessary, motivates staff in a positive manner, and develops teamwork in accepting and practicing the policies and procedures of the Hospital. Leads by professional example, consistently combines ethical judgement with technical skills within policy and legal guidelines.
• Demonstrates good leadership by determining areas of responsibility and accountability, delegating authority to staff. Communicates new or revised responsibilities, reporting relationships and Hospital matters.
• Regularly measures individual employee performance against established criteria based performance standards; utilizes evaluations as an objective management tool for counseling staff members to higher levels of performance; completes and discusses the performance evaluation with individual employees in a timely manner.
• Oversees the disciplinary process as appropriate for all staff within his/her scope of practice and ensure integrity of nursing practice.
• Selects qualified staff to effectively carry out department functions.
• Systematically evaluates the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice and nursing services, analyzing appropriate internal and external data and information to identify opportunities in collaboration with stakeholders for improving services and patient outcomes.
• Participates in development, implementation, and evaluation of community, state, and national EMS systems.
• Other duties as assigned.

GENERAL COMPETENCIES:

ENVIRONMENT OF CARE (SAFETY)

1. All new employees are required to attend New Employee Orientation, to include the safety topic, and must complete the annual Safety Training.
2. Uses all equipment in a safe manner.
3. Identifies and reports all safety hazards throughout the Hospital.
4. Reports injuries and accidents and/or errors to patients and visitors in a timely manner.
5. Completes and forwards an Incident Report when indicated using the Hospital’s reporting system.
6. Responds to fires and/or fire drills using the appropriate procedure.
7. Follows the Tobacco Free Environment Policy. (Policy # 01-057)
8. Manages waste and hazardous materials in the proper manner.
9. Uses the Safety Data Sheets when needed.
10. Performs appropriately in actual or simulated Internal Emergency Preparedness episodes.
11. Performs appropriately in actual or simulated External Emergency Preparedness episodes.
12. Uses proper body mechanics and lifting techniques.

QUALITY/PATIENT SAFETY/PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT

1. Strives to exceed Quality and Safety benchmarks quarterly and annually, as established from the Annual Operating Plan (AOP).
2. Abides by service, quality, safety and productivity standards.
3. Supports the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Safety Culture Survey and the Implementation of Improvements, as indicated in the AOP. Develops action plans as required.
4. Identifies problems/issues/risks and formulates effective solutions to mitigate them. Uses Hospital notification system for reporting such problems/issues/risks.
5. Participates in Performance Improvement activities such as Root Cause Analysis or Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (HFMEA) when appropriate and required.
6. Implements solutions borne out of a Root Cause Analysis or HFMEA when appropriate.
7. Leverages the Lean methodology to document and continually improve processes when applicable.

SECURITY

1. Assumes responsibility for a clean and safe work environment.
2. Wears one’s Identification Badge at all times while at work.
3. Adheres to policies relating to computer security.

PATIENTS RIGHTS, CONFIDENTIALITY & ETHICS

1. Maintains patients’ rights, privacy and confidentiality in all aspects of the job, including those relating to diagnosis and patient records.
2. Promotes and employs ethical actions at all times with patient’s families and others.
3. Adheres to the policies and procedures of the Corporate Compliance Program.

SERVICE EXCELLENCE

1. Performs as a team member utilizing the LGH values of quality, service, integrity and compassion.
2. Demonstrates excellent customer service by conducting daily activities, communications and interactions in a cooperative, positive and professional manner as dictated by the Hospital’s Service Excellence 7 Standards of Behavior.

COMPETENCY & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

1. Identifies and communicates learning, competency and personal development needs to the supervisor.
2. Actively identifies and participates in educational activities that meet one’s educational needs, as approved by the supervisor.
3. Uses newly found knowledge and skills in one’s role.

AGE RELATED COMMUNICATION & SAFETY

1. Communicates in a manner appropriate and respectful to the comprehension level of the patient and/or family.
2. Maintains a safe environment specific to the age group served.

INFECTION CONTROL

1. Follows standard of universal precautions and use of appropriate personal protection equipment.
2. Works to reduce the risk of health care acquired infections through compliance with current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) hand hygiene guidelines.
3. Standard Precautions area utilized during patient contact and when handling contaminated materials, when necessary.
4. Is knowledgeable of and demonstrates compliance with all National Patient Safety Goals in preventing healthcare acquired infections.
5. Adheres to infection control and safety policies.

ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY

1. Maintains the responsibility for punctuality and attendance to ensure optimal operation of the department.
2. Meets Hospital attendance policy as defined in the Hospital policy manual.
3. When an unscheduled absence from work is necessary, the department is notified according to department policy.
4. Submits requests for Paid Time Off, days off, etc. in accordance with department policy.

EDUCATION AND RELATED EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• Current Massachusetts licensure
• Bachelor’s Degree in nursing, management, or health care
• Demonstrated skills required in patient care, leadership, and interpersonal relationships

Preferred:

• Three years nursing experience, three years management experience