Summary

Responsible for managing and coordinating the hospital activities of patient care and management for the assigned shift by serving as administrative personnel in the absence of department managers, directors and administrators. Responsible for recognizing and assisting to solve patient care, professional, administrative, and supervisory problems. Responsible for facilitating and coordinating quality services. Models appropriate behavior as exemplified in MLH Mission, Vision and Values.

Education/Experience/Licensure

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated skill/experience in leadership and management principles.
• Excellent problem solving, decision-making and listening skills essential.
• Requires ability to provide advanced clinical skills and critical thinking in managing operations.
• Basic computer literacy required

Key Job Responsibilities

• Coordinates the nursing activities on assigned shift in a manner reflective of the hospital’s philosophy and objectives.
• Serves as a management/administrative liaison to hospital departments and services based on established policies and procedures.
• Promotes the flow of information by utilizing and maintaining effective communication systems within the Division of Nursing, Admissions, ancillary departments, physicians and families.
• Solves problems and troubleshoots issues that may affect the unit or patient care ensuring timely and effective action.
• Participates in quality monitoring and evaluation activities and implements measures to ensure that hospital JCAHO and other quality standards are met.
• Assesses current areas of nursing practice and makes recommendations as needed to Director or CNO.
• Provides assistance to nursing staff when needed or as emergency situations occur.
• Assesses nursing care and patient responses by unit rounds.
• Provides assistance to nursing staff, giving priority to floors with identified staffing or patient care needs.
• Supports Preceptor role by serving as a mentor and providing guidance as needed during situations.
• Serves as a resource to nursing staff for new or unusual procedures.
• Provides technical assistance and direction for nursing staff and other disciplines.
• Allocates staffing resources between units based on census and patient acuity. Oversees patient placement process assuring that patient safety and infection control standards are maintained.
• Responds to patient and parent complaints in the absence of the Patient Advocate and documents actions taken.

Physical Requirements

• The physical activities of this position may include climbing, pushing, standing, hearing, walking, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion.
• Must have good balance and coordination.
• The physical requirements of this position are: medium work - exerting up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally and/or up to 25 lbs. of force frequently.
• The Associate is required to have close visual acuity including color, depth perception, and field of vision to perform an activity, such as assessing patients, preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; or extensive reading.
• Frequent invasive and non-invasive patient contact.
• Exposure to patient body fluids as well as exposure to hazardous or poisonous materials.
• Ability to react quickly to emergency situations.