The posting
Under general supervision of the Chief Nursing Officer, the Lead House Supervisor is responsible for providing training and oversight to the House Supervisors. Responsible for the allocation and assignment of nursing staff during the shift to provide for safe patient care. Serves as a resource for staff, physicians, patients, families and visitors. Provides administrative continuity for information shared, actions taken and outcomes reported. Serves as a patient advocate and an administrative resource during the shift for directing, supervising, coordinating and evaluating activities within the hospital and the care provided within clinical areas. Serves in a consultative capacity to ensure that care meets legal, ethical, institutional and professional standards. Adheres to the philosophy, policies and procedures of the department and organization.
Every effort has been made to make this job description as complete as possible. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties the incumbent will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment to the position.
- Provides daily supervision to House Supervisors and Patient Sitters.
- Establishes work schedules and assignments to ensure coverage as demonstrated by maintaining appropriate staff ratios within approved budgetary guidelines while ensuring safe, quality patient care.
- Ensures completion of all employee records including but not limited to: payroll, performance evaluations, competencies, personnel action requests etc.
- Ensures initial orientation and continuing education opportunities are presented appropriately for all department staff.
- Collaborates with Staffing Coordinator and Nurse Managers to plan staffing for next shift according to nursing care and standards. Justifies in writing to the Chief Nursing Officer deviation from standards.
- Adjusts daily schedule for illness, emergency or census influx. Documents all sick calls, tardiness, absenteeism, and problems with dress code. Keep "on call" list and "call in extra" list accurate and updated. Functions in the staff role if all other resources exhausted.
- Assists with patient care in all areas, as required. Assumes responsibility for ER when ER staff absent.
- Evaluate quality of nursing care in all areas, making patient rounds as able. Assume responsibility for staff performance during the shift, participate in in-service planning and presentation during the shift as appropriate. Serve as nursing resource person to staff, available and willing to teach as need arises. Act as nursing staff representative to physicians.
- Documents details of potential disciplinary/behavior problems and sends information to appropriate director/manager and/or Chief Nursing Officer. Provides feedback and input for employee performance evaluations through anecdotal note documentation of both positive and negative observations.
- Supervise staff in maintaining adequate drug records; initiate action to correct errors in narcotic count.
- Oversee crash cart checks and documentation. Stock crash carts daily as appropriate. Assume responsibility for supply management; carry stock room keys.
- Responds to all emergencies and resuscitation. Assumes team leader responsibility during resuscitation unless ER, ICU, or OB charge nurse is already performing in that role.
- Serves as a liaison between Administrator-On-Call and external agencies; consulting with Nurse Manager/Director or other Administrative representative concerning matters that require immediate attention beyond their scope of authority.
- Communicates pertinent information to on-coming house supervisor/nurse manager and Chief Nursing Officer/AOC as appropriate. Reads and documents in Supervisor's Communication Book to assure passage of accurate and current information to all supervisors.
- Responds to patient/family complaints, physician complaints and employee conflicts and provide resolution. Initiate incident reports when indicated with follow-up with the nurse manager/director, and Chief Nursing Officer as appropriate.
- Maintains current knowledge of and adherence to HMH policies and procedures. Support administrative and nurse manager/director decisions and policies. Follows proper chain of command.
- Oversees admissions, transfers and discharges during shift. Acts as the hospital incoming transfer center. Assigns hospital beds based upon bed availability balancing with direct admits, hospital procedures and ER admissions. Follows up in ER on admitted patients to ensure that they are moved swiftly onto the floors. Consistently monitors Bed Watch in conjunction with EVS to efficiently place patients in beds.
- Adheres to and ensures compliance with infection prevention protocols.
- Demonstrates an understanding of patient rights, including those pertaining to confidentiality, informed consent and privacy.
- Participates in a systemic, interdisciplinary, and ongoing evaluation of programs, process improvement, and desired client-centered outcomes.
- Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education, competence validation; supports goals which contribute to the success of the organization; serves as preceptor, mentor and resource to less experienced staff.
- Actively participates in survey readiness activities and assures compliance with all regulatory standards.
- Functions competently in the staff role as necessary. Utilizes the nursing process to assess, plan, provide, document and evaluate care.
- Demonstrates adaptability, problem solving and professional behavior at all times.
- Abides by the HMH Legal Compliance Code of Conduct.
LATITUDE, CONTACTS/INTERACTIONS
All positions of Huntsville Memorial Hospital are part of an interdisciplinary team, and as such, participate in the care and service delivery process through effective interaction with other team members. Primarily interacts with hospital staff, medical staff, patients, and visitors.
Requirements
Education: Graduate of a school of professional nursing required, BSN preferred.
Experience: Three years of clinical nursing experience and one year of Charge RN experience preferred.
Licensure/Certification: Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Texas, or immediately eligible. Basic Life Support certification required within 60 days of employment required. Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications within 90 days of employment required. TNCC and STABLE preferred.
Required Skills: Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication, organizational and leadership skills. Ability to perform effectively in highly stressful situations, work well in fast paced environment, and function independently.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Frequent: standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling & reaching.
Occasional: sitting, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, & twisting.
Visual and hearing acuity required; Color vision required for perceiving changes in patients’ skin color and colors of medicines and solutions. Work is mostly inside, with good ventilation and comfortable temperature.
Possible exposure to: toxic/caustic chemicals or detergents, moving mechanical parts, potential electric shock, radiant energy, communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens
Benefits
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
- Paid Time Off
- Short Term & Long Term Disability
- Training & Development
- Wellness Resources
