Clinical Nurse II

Alameda Health System•Oakland, CA

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Clinical Nurse II provides nursing care to patients, including medications and treatment; plans, implements, and evaluates patient care; and performs related duties as required. 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 assume team leader or charge nurse responsibilities when assigned. The role includes assessing patient needs, providing and documenting care, developing and modifying nursing care plans, assisting physicians with procedures and diagnostic tests, and communicating with patients, families, physicians, and other departments. Depending on assignment, the nurse may oversee telemetry monitoring and provide specialty-specific care and certifications.

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 issued by the American Heart Association may be required depending on facility or unit/department specialty and patient care policies.
Chemotherapy certification must be acquired within one year of hire for certain positions.
ONS certification must be acquired within one year of hire for inpatient medical telemetry/oncology positions.
Other advanced life support certifications may be required depending on unit/department specialty and patient care policies.
Perinatal Safety Modules must be completed within three months of hire for certain positions, with completion and continuing annual competency documented in the employee file and/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.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification from the American Heart Association is required according to unit/department specialty and patient care policies.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification from the American Heart Association is required for Emergency Department positions or when regularly overseeing or providing pediatric care.
Certification as a Public Health Nurse in California is required for certain positions.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing preferred.
Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) 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.
Administer medications and provide 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 and 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 and discharge patients with telemetry units as appropriate.
Organize and supervise co-workers’ patient care during a work period, make adjustments, and accept responsibility for its quality; serve as team leader or charge nurse when assigned.
Promote a healthful, safe, and therapeutic environment for patients and families, including controlling the environment for infection prevention.
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 according to established standards, criteria, and the nursing care plan; monitor for significant or critical changes, initiate procedures as required, and document care at required intervals.
Explain procedures, regimens, and services to patients and families; teach health care and disease-prevention techniques.
Prepare patients and/or areas for procedures and operations, assist physicians, and use instruments and equipment relevant to the assigned area.