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, and plans, implements, and evaluates patient care. This is the journey-level class for nurses who have the required professional nursing experience and 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 and may serve as a team leader or charge nurse when assigned. The role involves assessing patient needs, developing and modifying care plans, monitoring and documenting patient status and care, supporting procedures and diagnostic testing, and explaining care and health practices to patients and families. Depending on assignment, the nurse may provide oversight of telemetry monitoring and must meet additional unit- or specialty-specific certification and training requirements.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
Six months of experience as a Clinical Nurse I with AHS, or the equivalent of one year of full-time recent 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.
BLS (Basic Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification issued by the American Heart Association may be required according to facility or unit/department specialty and patient-care policies.
Acquire chemotherapy certification within one year of hire for certain positions.
Acquire ONS certification within one year of hire for inpatient medical telemetry/oncology department positions.
Other advanced life support certifications may be required according to unit/department specialty and patient-care policies.
Complete Perinatal Safety Modules within three months of hire for certain positions; evidence of completion and continuing annual competency must be in the employee file or AHS learning management system.
Coronary Care Unit certification is required for certain positions at Fairmont Hospital’s Monitoring Unit.
TEAM Training is required for all positions at John George Psychiatric Pavilion and for certain Emergency Department positions.
NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) certification from the American Heart Association is required according to unit/department specialty and patient-care policies.
PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certification from 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.
TNCC (Trauma Nurse Core Course) for Emergency Department positions.
CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) certification.
CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) for Emergency Department positions.
Certification as a Public Health Nurse in the State of California is required for certain 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 work, make adjustments, and accept responsibility for the quality of patient care provided by co-workers during a work period; serve as team leader or charge nurse when assigned.
Promote a healthful, safe, and therapeutic environment for patients and families, including maintaining an environment that supports infection control.
Participate in implementing patient-care and infection-control standards and quality-assurance criteria; assist with studies and participate in unit and other meetings.
Provide and evaluate patient care according to established standards and the nursing care plan; monitor for significant or critical changes, initiate procedures as needed, and document care at 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.