Lead Clinical Nurse (Ambulatory Care)

PLEASE NOTE - This position may require temporarily relocation to other TONHC Facilities: Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center.

Position Summary:

Under general supervision, provides nursing care and treatment to clients/patients according to policies, procedures, protocol, and client needs. Also, assists the supervisor with day-to-day functions of the Ambulatory Care Unit.

Scope of Work: This position is located in the nursing department of Tohono O'odham Nation Health Care. The incumbent evaluates the nursing needs of the patients, develops a plan of nursing care, schedules daily nursing assignments (Implements and modifies assignments as needs change), and delegates duties to appropriate personnel-the incumbent works under the direction of the Supervisory Nurse Specialist.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• As Lead Nurse guides three or more employees and direction to Ancillary Departments, other Nurses, and Health Care providers.
• Ensure that the organization's strategic plan, mission vision, and values are communicated to the team and integrated into the team's strategies, goals, objectives, work plans, and work services.
• Articulate and communicate the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, milestones, program issues under review, and deadlines and time frames for completion. Assists with the formulation of nursing schedules.
• Coach the team in selecting and applying appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques, provide advice on work methods, practices, and procedures, and assist the team and individual members in identifying the parameters of a viable solution.
• Lead the team in identifying, distributing, and balancing workload and tasks among employees per established workflow, skill level, and occupational specialization; making adjustments to accomplish the workload following set priorities to ensure timely accomplishments of assigned team tasks, and ensuring that each employee has an integral role in developing the final team product.
• Train or arrange for the training of team members in methods and techniques of team building and working in teams to complete tasks or projects and provide or arrange for specific administrative or technical training necessary for accomplishing individual and team tasks.
• Monitor and report on the status and progress of work, checking on work in progress and reviewing completed work to meet the supervisor's instructions on work priorities, methods, deadlines, and quality.
• Prepare reports and maintain records of work accomplishments and administrative information, as required, and coordinate the supervisor's preparation, presentation, and communication of work-related information.
• Represent the team in dealings with the supervisor to obtain resources (e.g., computer hardware and software, overtime or compensatory time) and secure needed information or supervisor decisions on major work problems and issues that may arise.
• Report to the supervisor periodically on team and individual work accomplishments, problems, progress in mastering tasks and work processes, and individual and team training needs.
• Lead the team in assessing its strengths and weaknesses and provide leadership to the team in exploring alternatives and determining improvements (e.g., in work methods, processes and procedures).
• Approve emergency leave for eight hours or less for medical appointments and other types of leave delegated by management.
• Resolve simple, informal complaints of employees and refer others, such as formal grievances and appeals, to the supervisor or an appropriate management official.
• Communicate team consensus and recommendations to the supervisor on actions affecting the team and individual awards, rewards, and recognition.
• Intercede with the supervisor on behalf of the team to inform the supervisor of performance management issues/ problems and recommend/ request related actions, such as assignments, reassignments, promotions, a tour of duty changes, peer reviews, and performance appraisals.
• Accountable to monitor all aspects of patient care: documents nursing interventions, therapeutic measures administered patient's reactions, and patient teaching and understanding. Advises less experienced staff inpatient care, work organization, and other matters.
• Serves as a Clinical Nurse performing nursing duties for patients whose condition warrants specialized care. Assesses the patient and develops a plan of care for individual patients by interviewing the patient and family members, reviewing the patient's health record, determining and evaluating the kind of physical and health care needed.
• Consults with the physician and other staff members to determine and evaluate the kind of health and physical care needed. Collaborates with other professionals in developing a multidisciplinary approach to the provision of care.
• Observes and assess the patient's clinical condition. Collects and interprets data from the patient's history and physical assessment.
• In emergencies initiates specific nursing measures to ensure the wellbeing of the patient. Must use BLS-defined protocols managing respiratory and cardiac systems.
• Participates in the development, updating, and evaluating of standards of care and quality improvement monitoring.
• Coordinates available resources to provide patient and family with social, age-specific, emotional, educational, cultural, spiritual, and physical support.
• Maintains professional knowledge and proficiency in Ambulatory Care specific nursing knowledge and practice through continuing education to include: specific certifications as required by department, staff meeting, outside and in-house workshops attendance, especially mandatory training events.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Tohono O'odham culture, customs, and traditions.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, tribal laws, regulations, and requirements, including HCFA, Medicare, ALTCS, and AHCCCS.
• Knowledge of regulatory agencies' documentation requirements and ability to accurately and completely document clinical data.
• Knowledge of the application and use of cardiac monitoring equipment.
• Knowledge of nursing practice related to respiratory and circulatory emergencies.
• Knowledge of hospital policy and procedures relating to Infection Control and Quality Improvement.
• Knowledge of pharmacology of various medications and their therapeutic and adverse reactions.
• Knowledge of physical assessment, disease processes, and interventions.
• Knowledge of age-specific aspects of care.
• Knowledge of proper practice and procedures in emergencies, including the implementation of life-saving procedures.
• Knowledge of human behavior to provide counseling, guidance, and health instruction to create and maintain a positive healing experience for patients and their families.
• Knowledge of basic management techniques to provide guidance and leadership to other nursing personnel and develop a flexible, individualized, and comprehensive management plan.
• Knowledge of various cultures customs of different ethnic groups and the ability to incorporate and appreciate their efforts to deliver health care.
• Knowledge of statistical and research methods and applying them as needed to identify and solve problems not susceptible to other methods.
• Strong leadership skills and abilities, including the ability to motivate people toward the accomplishment of organizational goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of HIPAA-related rules and regulations.
• Ability to be compassionate and have good communication skills.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.
• Ability to provide training in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid.
• Computer Skills are essential.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Degree or diploma from a professional nursing program approved by the legally designated State-accrediting agency at the time the applicant completed the program
• Registration: Applicants must have an active, current, and unrestricted license as a professional nurse in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.
• Two years of nursing experience working in an ambulatory care setting and knowledge of principles of leadership.

Licenses, Certifications, Special Requirements:

• Must have current certification in Healthcare Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
• Must have a current immunization statement to include, proof of a non-reactive tuberculosis skin test within the last year or a negative chest x-ray, proof of immunity for hepatitis B (Documentation of immunization does not prove immunity, only a titer with a positive result is proof), within three months of hire.
• Upon recommendation for hire, a criminal background and a National FBI fingerprint check are required to determine suitability for employment, including a 39-month driving record.
• May require possessing and maintaining a valid driver's license (no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years).
• If required, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit to operate program vehicles.
• Based on the department's needs, incumbents may be required to demonstrate fluency in both the Tohono O'odham language and English as a condition of employment.