JOB PURPOSE:

A professional nurse who has administrative authority, responsibility and accountability for the overall coordination of nursing services during his/her shift.  Supervises/coordinates service provided during admissions and on the inpatient units to provide optimal utilization of human and environmental resources.  Provides leadership to nursing staff in the nursing care delivery system in order to ensure accordance with Westwood Lodge Hospital's philosophy and established nursing standards of practice of care and policies and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES: (Include but not limited to)

NURSING PRACTICE/ ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT: Assesses the overall operation of the shift and makes efficient utilization of nursing resources in order to facilitate and improve patient care. Promotes, develops and supports standards which contribute to the health and safety of patients, staff and visitors.

Consistently supervises and enables the charge nurse to problem solve at the unit level Maintains appropriate level of staff as indicated by unit census and clinical needs.  Assesses the overall delivery of patient care with the charge nurse; provides feedback concerning quality of care to nursing staff members; provides guidance and support to staff in clinical emergencies; serves as a resource person to the charge nurse; knows and monitors compliance of standards; collaborates, with the on-call admissions officer and DOC; assists with screening patients for admission according to policy and procedure.  Consistently provides mandatory in-services for shift staff.  Audits all restraint documentation for compliance purposes.

Monitors compliance with hospital and unit fire, safety and infection control standards; initiates disaster and fire plan in the absence of hospital administrator on off-shifts; reviews and signs QA's and incident reports occurring on off-shifts and makes recommendations for improvement; establishes and enforces policies and procedures in conformity with hospital, state and federal requirements; assesses the safety risk factors within the unit milieu and provides guidance and support to nursing staff and/or direct intervention as needed. 

COMMUNICATION: Promotes inter-and intra-departmental cooperation and coordination within the hospital in order to ensure positive relations.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF SELF/NURSING EDUCATION: Creates an environment that supports the unique clinical and professional development of the nursing staff in order to ensure optimal patient care.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

* All Positions at Westwood Lodge Hospital are based on a two week schedule and have the following Mandatory Conditions of Employment: Overtime, Shift Work, Rotating Work Schedule, Work Location Change (other than the location regularly scheduled), and FT/PT employees must work a minimum of every other weekend.