The Clinical Nurse Leader provides support at the elbow for frontline team members and the leadership team. They assist, coordinate, and influence nursing practice excellence in the patient care area. This includes coordinating nursing policy, education and competency of frontline team members, maintaining high standards of care, evidence-based practice and performance improvement activities consistent with the established strategic plan, goals, and objectives for Patient Care Services. Clinical Nurse Leader will collaborate with leadership team and education professionals to evaluate education and competency programs to ensure outcomes are met. May assume precepting and patient care assignment based on department needs.

Department specific populations served: Neonate to the geriatric patient.

Why UnityPoint Health?

• Commitment to our Team – For the third consecutive year, we're proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare for our commitment to our team members. 
• Culture – At UnityPoint Health, you matter. Come for a fulfilling career and experience a  culture  guided by uncompromising values and unwavering belief in doing what's right for the people we serve.
• Benefits –Our competitive  Total Rewards  program offers benefits options like 401K match, paid time off and education assistance that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment– We’re committed to ensuring you have a voice that is heard regardless of role, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
• Development– We believe equipping you with support and  development opportunities  is an essential part of delivering a remarkable employment experience.
• Community Involvement – Be an essential part of our core purpose—to improve the health of the people and communities we serve.

Hear more from our team members about why UnityPoint Health is a great place to work at  https://dayinthelife.unitypoint.org.

Clinical Excellence

• Facilitates implementation of evidence-based practice or nursing research studies and translates research findings into best nursing practice for care.
• Partners with physicians and patient care team members to achieve quality metrics.
• Maintains current knowledge of trends and advances in surgical nursing practice.
• Collaborates with other team members and leaders to support initiatives in the unit and the hospital level.
• Uses advanced concepts in nursing processes in the clinical setting.
• Offers support to team members in times of patient care crisis.
• Positively engages team in change management, comfortable with performance improvement and evaluation of work.
• Incorporates the St. Luke’s Hospital’s Professional Practice Model into their daily nursing practice.

Employee Development

• Mentors less experienced team members, guides professional behaviors by acting as a positive role model while adhering to the policies and procedures of the organization, demonstrates the knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately.
• Assists with providing a thorough and adequate orientation program for new staff and student interns.
• Assists with competency training and continuing education programming to ensure staff development needs are met for the department.
• Provides mentoring support and resources for on-boarding of new team members and on an on-going basis as needed for existing team members.
• Serves as a resource to the nursing staff, as well as to other health care associates based on professional standards of care.
• Assists with formulation of evidence-based nursing policy and procedure.
• Serves as a resource for other members of the healthcare team, including providers, who are involved with performance improvement tools (PSDA, etc.).

Quality Improvement

• Collaborates with nursing leadership to support implementation of evidenced based practice into the department setting.
• Demonstrates initiative to improve quality by striving to exceed expectations.
• Facilitate data collection and outcome tracking as appropriate.
• Identifies pertinent research questions arising from clinical practice.

Leadership

• Demonstrates clinical leadership as a role model for staff nurses.
• Assists with providing a positive work environment that contributes to safe and positive clinical outcomes.
• Consults nursing leadership regarding issues or barriers in delivery of care, staff achievement of competency, system concerns, provider concerns or specific patient care problems.
• Participates in divisional and hospital shared governance infrastructure.

• Completion of an accredited nursing program – BSN required. (May consider candidate if currently enrolled in RN-BSN or RN-MSN program)
• Three years of clinical experience
• Served as preceptor and/or charge RN
• Current RN licensure in the State of Iowa or compact state
• Must possess and maintain current certifications:
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB)
• National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• Mandatory Reporter
• The following should be obtained within 6 months of hire:
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • Sugar and safe care, Temperature, Airway, Blood pressure, Lab work Emotional support (STABLE)
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• The following is required within 1 year of hire:
  • Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
  • Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC)
  • HazMat
  • Disaster/Emergency Preparedness
• Self-motivated, able to work independently with little oversight including demonstrated ability to meet the departments work schedule.
• Demonstrates effective decision-making and problem-solving skills, flexibility, and the ability to take a leadership role in facilitating organizational change through partnerships with staff and managers.
• Writes, reads, comprehends and speaks fluent English.
• Multicultural sensitivity
• Basic computer knowledge using word processing, spreadsheet, email and web browser.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Manage priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrates the knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately.
• Demonstrated knowledge of clinical skills related to patient safety.
• Critical thinking skills using independent judgement in making decisions.
• Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.