Clinical Leader (RN) NICU, Full Time, Nights

East Tennessee Children's Hospital•Knoxville, TN

About The Position

The Clinical Leader works in coordination with nursing leadership to help an assigned unit or department function effectively. The role provides first-line support to staff, physicians, and other providers on department-specific clinical issues and collaborates with the manager on clinical and non-clinical matters, including employee relations, individual behaviors, and physician relationships. The Clinical Leader supports the unit when the manager is unavailable and supervises, directs, coaches, and mentors an assigned core group of staff. This role is responsible for supporting effective interdisciplinary teamwork, safe and compassionate patient care, staff development, and continuous improvement. It may provide direct patient care as needed and adjusts staffing assignments based on patient acuity, staff skills, and equipment. The position requires an associate degree in nursing, a Tennessee or Compact nursing license, and 2–3 years of relevant clinical experience. Specialty certification must be obtained within one year of hire.

Requirements

Associate degree in nursing required.
Tennessee or Compact nursing licensure required.
Must obtain certification in the specialty area within one year of hire.
Two to three years of relevant clinical experience.
Strong pediatric nursing skills.
Comfort with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Meditech documentation.
Strong communication and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in nursing preferred.
Prior leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinate with nursing leadership to support effective operations of the assigned unit or department.
Provide first-line clinical support to staff, physicians, and other providers, and support the unit when the manager is unavailable.
Supervise, direct, coach, and mentor assigned staff; assess new hires and orientees and provide ongoing feedback.
Promote interdisciplinary collaboration and include team members and patients or families in decisions about assignments, care needs, and staffing concerns.
Support staff professional growth, shared governance participation, and a professional, collegial work environment.
Collaborate with the manager and interdisciplinary partners to resolve issues and improve departmental workflows.
Promote open communication, resolve conflicts affecting work performance, and encourage shared responsibility among team members.
Anticipate patient and family needs through rounding and ensure safe care that meets applicable regulatory requirements.
Encourage patients and families to participate in care and intervene in or de-escalate stressful situations.
Assess patient acuity, staff skill mix, and equipment daily; adjust staffing and assignments to meet patient-care needs.
Round with patients, families, physicians, and staff to identify needs and resolve obstacles or conflicts in care.
Provide direct patient care as needed and apply critical thinking and the nursing process to improve outcomes.
Monitor nurse-sensitive indicators, hospital-acquired conditions, and departmental quality initiatives; act as a Safety Coach and support safety and quality improvement efforts.
Delegate responsibilities according to scope of practice and validated competencies.
Serve as a clinical and policy resource, maintain knowledge of current specialty practices, and use professional standards of care.
Advocate for patient and family preferences, support their rights to make care decisions, and help resolve ethical conflicts.
Maintain confidentiality and respectful, professional relationships while supporting appropriate therapeutic boundaries.
Maintain specialty knowledge and certification, facilitate learning assignments, and encourage participation in educational offerings.
Help implement and educate staff about new patient-care and staff-development initiatives.
Participate in Lean Board meetings and encourage staff participation.
Accept other assignments as requested and use hospital resources and time responsibly.