Clinical Leader Nursing - New England Eye Center Full Benefits

It takes a lot of very smart, hard-working and talented people to provide the level of care that we give to our patients. Tufts Medical Center is an internationally respected academic medical center and we pride ourselves not only on the sophistication of the care we deliver, but the compassionate way in which we provide it. And that starts with our employees.

The Clinical Practice Leader (CPL) plans, organizes and oversees daily clinical and administrative operations of designated unit/program or service. Prepares staff schedules, requests and allocates resources and facilitates coordination of care/services to meet patient care and operational requirements. The CPL ensures that patient care is aligned with the goals, mission and vision of Tufts Medical Center. Supervises and evaluates nursing and support personnel and participates in selection of new hires. Leads and/or participates in hospital, departmental and multidisciplinary teams, committees, councils and special projects.

This individual is a critical member of the nursing leadership team for Tufts Medical Center promoting high standards of nursing practice. The CPL will demonstrate and support a Magnet culture. This leader adheres to and holds others accountable to the Board of Registration in Nursing rules and regulations, ANA scope and standards of nursing, the ANA code of ethics for nursing, Tufts Medical Center policies and procedures and other regulatory stipulations.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

CLINICAL JUDGEMENT

Clinical reasoning, which includes clinical decision-making, critical thinking, and a global grasp of the situation, coupled with nursing skills acquired through a process of integrating formal and experiential knowledge.

• Contributes to an environment that facilitates the development of clinical expertise of staff via role modeling, teaching,
• and coaching/mentoring.
• Uses knowledge and expertise to identify potential problems and/or resources for patients and families.
• In collaboration with the director, ensures all staff maintain competency-based practice based upon patient population.

CLINICAL INQUIRY

The ongoing process of questioning and evaluating practice and providing informed practice. Creating practice changes through research utilization and experiential learning.

• Anticipates and identifies opportunities to apply evidence based practice.
• Develops and implements a process improvement plan for area(s) of responsibility.
• Maintains and develops clinical knowledge, judgment and skills.
• Proposes topics to explore and participates in nursing research.
• Supervises unit/department personnel by evaluating work performance, providing guidance and timely feedback based on outcome measures.
• Maintains a working knowledge of clinical and patient satisfaction initiatives, key performance indicators, standards of nursing practice and outcomes of patient care.

CARING PRACTICES

Constellation of nursing activities that are responsive to the uniqueness of the person that creates a compassionate and therapeutic environment, with the aim of promoting comfort and preventing unnecessary suffering. Includes but not limited to vigilance, engagement and responsiveness of caregivers, including family and healthcare personnel.

• Identifies need to coordinate patient care conferences to help ensure best caring practices and outcomes for patients and families.
• Participates in interdisciplinary rounds to address, patient/family needs, and discharge planning.
• Fosters patient, family, and professional relationships that are reciprocal and synergistic, characterized by mutual respect and professional growth.

RESPONSE TO DIVERSITY

Sensitivity to recognize, appreciate, and incorporate differences and preferences into the provision of care. Differences include but are not limited to cultural differences and preferences, gender, sexual orientation, religion, race, ethnicity, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, age and values.

• Identifies issues arising from individual differences and develops awareness of these issues in nursing staff, medical staff, and other healthcare providers.
• Role models, teaches and/or provides age specific and developmentally appropriate patient care in accordance with established guidelines and scope of practice.
• Identifies and encourages resolution of conflicts between others without making any party feel diminished.
• Respects, appreciates and supports the diversity of ideas, thoughts, and competencies among staff, peers, colleagues and customers.

ADVOCACY/MORAL AGENCY

Working on another’s behalf and representing the concerns of the patient/family/community; serving as a moral agent in identifying and helping to resolve ethical and clinical concerns within the clinical setting.

• Advocates on behalf of the nursing staff to represent the concerns of patients/families/staff.
• Works in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team to balance interventions with values that emphasize quality of life, consumer choice, risk benefit decisions, access to care, and integrity of human life.
• Supports an ethical foundation for professional practice and patient care.
• Supports proactive identification and addressing of ethical issues through a systematic process utilizing the ethics advisory committee as needed.
• Promotes healthcare at the local, state, national, and/or international level.
• Is prepared to take professional risks by demonstrating commitment to issues and values he/she truly believe in.

FACILITATOR OF LEARNING

Ability to facilitate patient, family and staff learning across the care continuum. Contributes to a learning environment characterized by safe discourse, mentoring and

team development.

• Supports staff in the delivery of appropriate patient/family education.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of patient/family education and identifies opportunities for improvement.
• Monitors the learning needs of staff and communicates opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Serves as a role model or mentor for professional practice.
• Functions as an expert resource.
• Identifies avenues to pursue own professional growth.
• Provides constructive feedback, support and resources to enable the nursing staff to develop skills and abilities.
• Demonstrates awareness of self and other’s communication style and adjusts to meet the needs of the situation.
• Inspires and motivates oneself and staff to pursue advanced education and/or certification.
• Encourages others to become an active member of professional organizations.
• Supports staff’s professional and personal growth.
• Encourages staff to seek clinical advancement via the Professional Recognition Program.
• Engages self and others in self-development appraisal on a regular basis identifying areas of strength as well as areas for personal/professional development.

COLLABORATION

Working with others (patients/families/healthcare providers/community) to promote and encourage each person’s contributions toward achieving optimal and realistic patient goals. Collaboration involved interdisciplinary work with colleagues and the ability to negotiate and resolve conflict.

• Role models, teaches, and/or mentors professional leadership and accountability for nursing’s role within the health care team.
• Leads and/or participates in departmental and hospital programs, committees, and/or special projects to achieve desired outcomes.
• Improves the quality of care through shared governance principles.
• Communicates important information via shift to shift huddles.

SYSTEM THINKING

Body of knowledge that allows the nurse to manage whatever environmental and system resources that exist for the patient and family throughout transitions of care.

• Recognizes, responds, and provides follow-up on issues, concerns, and suggestions on behalf of the patient population and staff.
• Provides timely follow-up on critical incidents/sentinel events.
• Assumes accountability for daily operations at the unit level.
• On a daily basis allocates resources and coordinates services to optimize patient care and services.
• Provides input in developing and monitoring operating and capital budget; implements strategies to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Recognizes the potential impact of change on all people involved.
• Keeps current on regulatory issues and trends and employs strategies to meet standards in a proactive manner.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 3 years relevant healthcare experience required, including progressive leadership responsibilities. Current BLS required. Specialty certification is desired. ACLS required for ICU, ED, PACU and Cardiac interventional unit.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities; able to work under stressful situations; possesses good oral and written communication skills and is able to effectively work in a changing environment.

EDUCATION

• Minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nursing required; master’s degree in nursing preferred. Current employees (in position prior to January 1, 2011) who do not hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing, but possess equivalent, extensive and relevant clinical experience will be grandfathered. Professional certification strongly preferred. Current Massachusetts state RN license in good standing required.

LICENSE

• Current Massachusetts Registered Nurse license.
• PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS
• Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing / walking
• Lifts, positions, pushes and / or transfers patients
• Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching
• Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases
• Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances
• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations
• Handles emergency and crisis situations
• Day / rotator or permanent off shift position schedule

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Tufts Medical Center reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Tufts Medical Center reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

COVID-19 POLICY:

Please note that effective October 1, 2021, as a condition of employment at Tufts Medical Center, all employees and new hires must have received their complete dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, unless they have been granted an exemption.