Plans, coordinates and directs quality, compassionate care by maintaining standards of professional nursing practice and creating positive therapeutic relationships with patients/families.  Provides leadership to other team members by articulating and delegating expected standards of care, supervising and encouraging team members, and supporting their contributions.  Supervises LPNs, PCAs, PCAs/US, US, Ortho Techs and other non-licensed staff.

1. Assesses condition on each assigned patient on admission and on an ongoing basis to include but not limited to the patient’s physical condition, psychological status, social status, spiritual and cultural needs, pain assessment/management, nutritional and functional status, developmental or age related factors, and discharge planning needs.
2. Plans, provides, and documents patient and/or significant other education based on physical, behavioral, psychological, developmental, and age-related factors, after identifying barriers to learning.
3. Evaluates and regularly reevaluates patient care; coordinates care planning with patient, family, providers and other disciplines to achieve patient-centered outcomes.
4. Assigns and delegates nursing care to team members in accordance with the patient’s needs and the capabilities of the team members.
5. Applies safety principles when performing care and accurately documents observations, care provided and changes in care plan.
6. Participates in transition rounds, care planning/problem identification and team shift reports.
7. Assists in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams as warranted, assisting with PI measures and supporting and implementing changes necessary for improvement.
8. Performs initial and annual competency per job class.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

1. RN requirements: Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree from RN program with current Alabama licensure in good standing from the Alabama Board of Nursing.
2. Ability to operate basic office equipment. 
   Excellent verbal communication skills to interact with patients, coworkers and other visitors. 
3. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

Requires manual dexterity.  Position is in a clinic setting requiring mostly standing, reaching, bending, and stooping during the course of each day.  Occasionally requires lifting up to 40 pounds from floor to shoulder level.  May require use of footstool to reach top shelves.  The position includes exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard material.  The position requires wearing common protective or safety equipment. The position requires good communication skills, involves contact either face to face, by email or over the phone with co-workers, physicians, and patients.  

Physical presence onsite of essential.  Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.  Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.