General Summary

Under limited supervision, this role is responsible for the assessment of patients including the development, evaluation and modification of the plan of care. Provides care to those patients via therapeutic use of self, the nursing process, the environment/technology, and other healthcare team member, according to established standards. Interprets and performs complex patient-care procedures specific to their area of expertise. Role functions as members of the Care Team and Support Team and have accountability to function as a team to accomplish patient outcomes identified in the pathway and plan of care. Patients served include all age groups (Infant through Older Adult as identified in Performance Standards).

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Provides care of unit-specific and/or hospital-based patient population; independently practices with solid knowledge and clinical skills; engaged in advancing own practice. Utilizes and integrates evidence into practice.

2. Accountable to patients and families for the processes and outcomes of care during an episode of care. Accountable to peers for the advancement of group practice on the unit, and to the nurse manager for the totality of work performance.

3. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team to plan and coordinate care addressing patient/family needs. Serves as clinical resource as needed.

4. Participates in implementation efforts addressing Nursing Sensitive Quality Indicators (NSQI).

5. Complies with standards and supports activities for regulatory compliance.

6. Supports leader and charge nurse decisions. Serves as an effective primary coordinating nurse as required.

7. Models practice consistent with unit operations to ensure safe, timely effective, efficient, equitable, patient-centered care.

8. Follows and supports the AACN guidelines for Healthy Work Environment (communication, collaboration, effective decision making, recognition, leadership, staffing); participates as team member focusing on elements within the Healthy Work Environment.

9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Patient Safety

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

1. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
2. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
3. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.