Clinical Nurse II

Alameda Health System•San Leandro, CA

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Clinical Nurse II provides nursing care to patients, including medication administration and treatment. The role plans, implements, and evaluates patient care and performs related duties as required. This is the journey-level class for nurses with the required professional experience who can independently perform the full range of clinical nursing services involving patient care. Clinical Nurse II employees may supervise professional and paraprofessional staff in their assigned unit. Duties may vary by employee and assignment. The nurse advocates for patients with other providers; delivers and documents patient care; develops and modifies nursing care plans; assesses patient needs; assists physicians with procedures and diagnostic tests; and communicates with physicians and other departments. Depending on assignment, the nurse may oversee telemetry monitoring, lead a team or serve as charge nurse, support infection control and quality assurance, and teach patients and families about care and disease prevention. The nurse prepares patients and areas for procedures and operations and uses equipment and instruments related to the assigned area.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
At least six months of experience as a Clinical Nurse I with AHS, or the equivalent of one year of recent full-time experience at a comparable level in a hospital with at least 100 beds or in the area of specialty. If experience is not recent, completion of an approved refresher course may be acceptable.
Valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of California.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification may be required according to facility or unit/department specialty and patient-care policies.
Other advanced life-support certifications may be required according to unit/department specialty and patient-care policies.
For certain positions, acquire chemotherapy certification within one year of hire.
For inpatient medical telemetry/oncology positions, acquire ONS certification within one year of hire.
For certain positions, California Public Health Nurse certification is required.
For certain positions, complete Perinatal Safety Modules within three months of hire and maintain annual competency, with evidence recorded in the employee file or AHS learning management system.
For certain positions in Fairmont Hospital’s Monitoring Unit, Coronary Care Unit certification is required.
For all positions at John George Psychiatric Pavilion and certain Emergency Department positions, TEAM Training is required.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification issued by the American Heart Association is required according to unit/department specialty and patient-care policies.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification issued by the American Heart Association is required for Emergency Department positions or when regularly overseeing or providing pediatric care.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing preferred.
Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) certification preferred for Emergency Department positions.
Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification preferred.
Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) certification desirable for Emergency Department positions.

Responsibilities

Accompany, assist, and represent patients’ needs to other providers.
Provide accurate medication administration, skin and wound care, assistance with activities of daily living, and other essential patient care.
Develop, implement, evaluate, and modify nursing care plans; prepare required records and reports.
Gather and assess patient information to determine nursing needs; assist and consult with physicians during procedures and diagnostic tests; contact physicians or other departments to obtain or provide patient information.
When assigned, oversee staff monitoring telemetry systems; alert the primary nurse to rhythm changes and life-threatening arrhythmias; interpret and post telemetry strips at specified times; and admit or discharge patients with telemetry units as appropriate.
Organize and supervise care, make adjustments, and accept responsibility for the quality of care provided by co-workers during a work period; serve as team leader or charge nurse when assigned.
Promote a safe, healthful, and therapeutic environment for patients and families, and establish and control an environment that supports infection control.
Participate in implementing patient-care and infection-control standards and quality-assurance criteria; assist with studies and attend unit and other meetings.
Provide and evaluate care in accordance with established standards, criteria, and the nursing care plan; monitor for significant or critical changes and initiate procedures as required; document care according to standards and required intervals.
Explain procedures, regimens, and services to patients and families; teach health-care and disease-prevention techniques.
Prepare patients or areas for procedures and operations, assist physicians, and use instruments and equipment related to the assigned area.