Lead Clinical Nurse (Ambulatory Care)

Tohono O•Tucson, AZ

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, provides nursing care and treatment to clients and patients according to policies, procedures, protocols, and patient needs, and assists the supervisor with the day-to-day functions of the Ambulatory Care Unit. The position is in the nursing department of Tohono O'odham Nation Health Care. The incumbent evaluates patients’ nursing needs, develops plans of nursing care, schedules and adjusts daily nursing assignments, and delegates duties to appropriate personnel under the direction of the Supervisory Nurse Specialist. The position may require temporary relocation to other TONHC facilities: Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center. As a lead nurse, the incumbent guides three or more employees and coordinates with ancillary departments, other nurses, and health care providers. The role combines team leadership and administrative responsibilities with direct clinical nursing care, including assessment, care planning, emergency response, patient and family education, documentation, and quality improvement. The nurse also supports less experienced staff and maintains professional knowledge and required certifications through continuing education and training.

Requirements

Degree or diploma from a professional nursing program approved by the legally designated state-accrediting agency when the applicant completed the program.
Active, current, unrestricted professional nurse license in a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory.
Two years of nursing experience in an ambulatory care setting.
Knowledge of principles of leadership.
Current Healthcare CPR and AED certification.
Current immunization statement, including proof of a non-reactive tuberculosis skin test within the last year or a negative chest X-ray, and proof of hepatitis B immunity by a positive titer within three months of hire.
Upon recommendation for hire, completion of criminal background and National FBI fingerprint checks to determine employment suitability, including a 39-month driving record.
May be required to possess and maintain a valid driver's license, with no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years; if required to operate program vehicles, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements for a driver's permit.
Depending on department needs, may be required to demonstrate fluency in both Tohono O'odham and English as a condition of employment.
Knowledge of Tohono O'odham culture, customs, and traditions, and of customs of different ethnic groups, with the ability to incorporate and appreciate them in health care delivery.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and tribal laws, regulations, and requirements, including HCFA, Medicare, ALTCS, and AHCCCS.
Knowledge of regulatory documentation requirements and ability to accurately and completely document clinical data.
Knowledge of cardiac monitoring equipment and its application and use.
Knowledge of nursing practice related to respiratory and circulatory emergencies.
Knowledge of hospital policies and procedures relating to infection control and quality improvement.
Knowledge of pharmacology, including therapeutic and adverse medication reactions.
Knowledge of physical assessment, disease processes, interventions, and age-specific care.
Knowledge of emergency practices and procedures, including life-saving procedures.
Knowledge of human behavior to provide counseling, guidance, and health instruction and support a positive healing experience for patients and families.
Knowledge of basic management techniques to guide and lead nursing personnel and develop flexible, individualized, comprehensive management plans.
Knowledge of statistical and research methods and their application to identifying and solving problems.
Strong leadership skills, including the ability to motivate people toward organizational goals and objectives.
Knowledge of HIPAA-related rules and regulations.
Compassion and good communication skills.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, work independently, and meet strict timelines.
Ability to provide training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid.
Essential computer skills.

Responsibilities

Guide three or more employees and provide direction to ancillary departments, other nurses, and health care providers.
Communicate the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values to the team and integrate them into team strategies, goals, objectives, work plans, and services.
Communicate assignments, projects, problems to be solved, actionable events, milestones, program issues, deadlines, and completion time frames.
Assist with formulating nursing schedules.
Coach the team in problem-solving methods and techniques, advise on work methods and procedures, and help identify viable solutions.
Identify, distribute, and balance workload and tasks among employees according to workflow, skill level, and occupational specialization; adjust assignments to meet priorities and deadlines.
Train or arrange training for team members in team-building and teamwork, and provide or arrange administrative or technical training needed to complete tasks.
Monitor and report work status and progress, check work in progress, and review completed work for compliance with priorities, methods, deadlines, and quality expectations.
Prepare reports, maintain records of work accomplishments and administrative information, and coordinate the supervisor's preparation and communication of work-related information.
Represent the team in dealings with the supervisor to obtain resources or information and request decisions on significant work problems and issues.
Periodically report team and individual accomplishments, problems, progress in mastering tasks, and training needs to the supervisor.
Lead the team in assessing strengths and weaknesses, exploring alternatives, and identifying improvements to work methods, processes, and procedures.
Approve emergency leave of eight hours or less for medical appointments and other leave delegated by management.
Resolve simple, informal employee complaints and refer formal grievances, appeals, and other matters to the supervisor or appropriate management official.
Communicate team consensus and recommendations to the supervisor regarding team actions and individual awards, rewards, and recognition.
Inform the supervisor of performance-management issues and recommend or request related actions, including assignments, reassignments, promotions, tour-of-duty changes, peer reviews, and performance appraisals.
Monitor all aspects of patient care and document nursing interventions, therapeutic measures, patient reactions, and patient teaching and understanding.
Advise less experienced staff on patient care, work organization, and other matters.
Perform clinical nursing duties for patients whose conditions warrant specialized care.
Assess patients and develop individual care plans by interviewing patients and family members, reviewing health records, and determining and evaluating physical and health care needs.
Consult with physicians and other staff to determine and evaluate patients' health and physical care needs.
Collaborate with other professionals to develop a multidisciplinary approach to care.
Observe and assess patients' clinical conditions; collect and interpret data from patient histories and physical assessments.
Initiate specific nursing measures in emergencies to ensure patient well-being, using BLS-defined protocols for respiratory and cardiac systems.
Participate in developing, updating, and evaluating standards of care and quality-improvement monitoring.
Coordinate resources to provide patients and families with social, age-specific, emotional, educational, cultural, spiritual, and physical support.
Maintain professional knowledge and proficiency in ambulatory-care nursing through continuing education, required departmental certifications, staff meetings, workshops, and mandatory training.
Perform other duties as assigned.