Job Description:
General Summary
This role is considered the minimum level for all nurses with more than 12 months of experience. The nurse provides and coordinates independent care to patients within a clinical specialty as an effective and participative member of the interdisciplinary team.
Principal Responsibilities and Tasks
Clinical Practice
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Provides independent care to unit-specific patient populations and serves as a clinical resource for others.
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Utilizes and integrates evidence-based practice into patient care.
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Functions effectively in unit-specific roles such as charge nurse.
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Accountable to patients and families for care processes and outcomes during an episode of care.
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Accountable to peers for advancing group practice on the unit and to the nurse manager for overall performance.
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Serves as an effective primary nurse by collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to plan and coordinate patient and family care.
Service/Quality
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Assists in team development and evaluation of patient care delivery; suggests methods for improvement.
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Participates in data collection related to outcomes (e.g., handoffs, medication safety).
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Contributes to quality improvement, evidence-based practice, or research at the unit level.
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Complies with standards and participates in regulatory compliance activities.
Unit Operations
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Supports charge nurse decisions and performs charge role as assigned.
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Promotes interdisciplinary communication, collaboration, decision-making, recognition, and teamwork.
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Assists in the development of unit practice protocols and standards.
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Participates in shared governance activities such as nursing education and practice councils.
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Assists in creating and supporting action plans.
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Orients Clinical Nurse I staff to shared governance and council structures.
Professional Development
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Serves as preceptor, coach, and mentor to new nurses and students.
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Contributes to skill development of ancillary staff.
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Participates in peer review processes, including providing and receiving feedback.
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Attends educational offerings and completes required training independently.
Patient Safety
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Ensures patient safety during care delivery and participates in unit safety initiatives.
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Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
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Reports adverse events and near misses to the appropriate authority.
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Identifies risks in processes, procedures, or devices and communicates them appropriately.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
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Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Maryland or eligible through Compact state agreements.
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Associate degree required; BSN preferred.
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At least one year of nursing experience with solid knowledge and clinical skills.
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Current CPR certification required.
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Completion of 10 contact hours of education every two years.
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Membership in a professional nursing organization.
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Recent applicable clinical experience in a comparable setting.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
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Maintains competencies required for the patient care setting and focuses on advancing professional development.
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Demonstrates strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
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Exhibits leadership qualities through effectiveness as a charge nurse, preceptor, or clinical resource.
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Functions effectively as a member of the interdisciplinary team.
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Ability to learn and use computer systems for patient information management.
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Supports teamwork and participates in unit team-building efforts.
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Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population served.
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Understands principles of growth and development across the lifespan and assesses data reflective of patient-specific needs.