Assistant Unit Director RN | Ortho

Rush University Medical Center•Chicago, IL

32d•$51 - $82•Onsite

About The Position

Under the guidance and direction of the unit director, the Assistant Unit Director RN (AUD) is the clinical liaison and assistant business manager of a specific patient care unit(s). In the absence of the unit director, the Assistant Unit Director RN is the RN Unit Director designee. The Assistant Unit Director Registered Nurse implements initiatives in support of the unit vision and manages human, operational and organizational systems that support patient care. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Requirements

Current State of Illinois Registered Nurse licensure.
Consistent proficient performance at the RN 2 level or equivalent experience.
Demonstrated progressive, proficient management and leadership skills.
Earned nursing degree at the baccalaureate level or higher (except AUDs hired before 01/2013).
National Certification required within twelve months of hire.
Demonstrates analytical ability.
Ability to use electronic business programs and technology
Demonstrates the ability to work in complex departmental systems or programs.
Communication skills are required in order to lead, teach and persuade others.
Ability to interact effectively with others in difficult situations.
Work requires 24/7 responsibility for activities of the unit.
Work requires the ability to assume the charge nurse role.
Work requires the ability to take a full patient assignment on clinical unit.
The ability to check documents for errors, use a keyboard to enter or retrieve data, and closely examine specimen, images or reports.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in nursing preferred or related field considered (except AUDs hired before 01/2013).

Responsibilities

Utilizes quality monitoring data to assess the effectiveness of clinical processes.
Facilitates unit quality initiatives, research and /or evidence based activities utilizing best current evidence.
Champions the strategies for changing clinician and team behavior to encourage adoption of evidence based practices.
Provides leadership in the design, implementation and evaluation of process improvement initiatives at the unit and department level.
Ensures that the unit personnel establish a caring, therapeutic relationship with patients and families through effective communication, acknowledgement of patient/family perceptions of health and illness and mutual goal setting.
Participates in developing constructive and strategic partnerships with peers, professional nurses, the University, other disciplines and departments to achieve positive clinical and service outcomes.
Resolves conflict to continuously improve team relationships at the unit and department level.
Supports a climate that fosters open communication, values differing points of view and promotes shared governance.
Ensures accountability for honest and fair interactions with all constituents across disciplines.
Advocates enhancing the climate that optimizes the patient and family experience through supportive interactions and staff education.
Provides structured opportunities for reflection and review of complex patient situations to develop critical thinking skills of all unit personnel.
Critically analyzes complex patient cases and effectively adapts the plan of care.
Develops the clinical knowledge and skill of the staff related to strategies to maintain patient safety.
Monitors and ensures compliance with the State Nurse Practice Act, State Board of Nursing Regulations, regulatory agency standards and the policies of the organization.
Uses information technology to streamline and improve processes.
Monitors and ensures nursing staff compliance with safety strategies (fall precautions, infection control, and suicide risk patient identification) to minimize risk.
Collaborate with the CNS to identify staff learning needs and provides education to strengthen and develop professional nurses' critical thinking skills.
Implements and monitors strategies and tactics related to the unit goals while ensuring sustainability.
Fosters the implementation of initiatives to promote a healthy work environment.
Leads innovations using principles of change and continues to reinforce change until positive outcomes are achieved.
Assumes a leadership role in analytical problem solving of both clinical and nursing related issues.
Functions as a mentor and coach to promote or enhance the development of unit staff.
Influences behaviors through collaborative practice, conflict management, negotiation and effective use of dialogue
Demonstrates accountability for own professional practice, including progress toward achievement of annual goals.
Provides and invites ongoing performance feedback to peers to achieve positive clinical and service outcomes.
Considers fiscal and budgetary implications in decision-making regarding practice and system modifications.
Manages staff performance through recruitment, rewards, recognition, counseling and disciplinary action.
Assumes the accountability of administrative management of the unit as delegated by the unit director.
Supports the execution of fiscal accountability.