RN Supervisor ED

Job Title: RN Supervisor - ED

Job Code: RNSUP ED
Department: Emergency Department
Division: Nursing
Salary Level: Non-Exempt 14
Salary Range: $36.56 to $42.11 Hourly
Reports To: Emergency Department Nurse Manager
Last Revised: December 2024

Primary Function

The RN Lead Supervisor is a role developed to work in coordination with the nursing leadership in the emergency department to ensure the work is accomplished effectively. The RN Lead Supervisor is the first line support for staff, physicians, and other related providers on specific clinical issues. The RN Lead Supervisor is generally a long-term role, requiring clinical and interpersonal skills.

The RN Lead Supervisor collaborates with the manager on clinical and non-clinical issues (employee relations, individual behaviors, physician relationships, etc.). The RN Lead Supervisor is the support for the department when the manager is unavailable. The RN Lead Supervisor is responsible for supervising, directing, coaching, and mentoring their assigned core group of staff.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Job Description

Duties and responsibilities include all those required of the ED RN as well as:

• Plan and coordinate clinical requirements for staff and ensure that all competencies and requirements for Emergency Department staff are current, utilizing best practice models to identify, incorporate, or develop best practices for panel management.
• Plan and assist with coordination of staff schedules and submit for manager approval.
• Coordinate clinical requirements with staff regarding equipment and supplies.
• Consult with preceptors and orienteers on a regular basis to provide support and determine how orientation should proceed on an individual basis.
• Collaborate with the manager for issue resolutions and projects to improve workflow processes throughout the department utilizing a quality improvement/LEAN approach.
• Collaborate with different departments (pharmacy, radiology, lab, registration) to resolve issues and improve workflow processes throughout the department.
• Collaborate with the nurse managers as requested by management in the interview process for new applicants.
• Collaborates with other teams to share and establish best practice for critical care in the Emergency Department setting.
• Mentor/coach staff to enhance their professional development.
• Assess the performance of assigned new hires, float nurses, and orienteers, including entry-level nurses, nursing assistants, clerks, and provide ongoing feedback and coaching.
• Understand and communicate potential clinical equipment or supply issues to appropriate team members (Materials, Biomed, Sterile Processing, etc.) and manager.
• Mentor and monitor the preceptors for all new employees.
• Provide clinical/education updates and skill check-offs to Emergency Department staff on a regular basis, ensuring competency care is provided to all patients.
• Utilize the ED whiteboard to track, monitor, and assure timely care of patients targeting specific indicators.
• Provide immediate support and education on policy, procedures, equipment, and supplies.
• Responsible for learning, implementing, and teaching new technology/procedures.
• Demonstrate awareness of current problems and basic plans for all patients within the Emergency Department.
• Provide clinical consultation and guidance as needed to facilitate patient care.
• Give assistance and/or direction to staff to facilitate quality patient flow.
• Assess staffing needs according to workload and staff competency; re-assign and adjust staffing in conjunction with other Nurse Supervisors based upon patient care needs.
• Delegate responsibilities within the scope of practice and validated competencies in order to meet the workload demands of the shift.
• Facilitate assignments that support learning for the orienteer or nursing staff.
• Promote an atmosphere of open communication that facilitates staff input into decision-making, resolution of conflict, quality improvement, and collegiality among all health team members.
• Communicate in an effective, professional manner.
• Facilitate staff performance audits related to attitude, team performance, Joint Commission standards, and other quality of care reports as directed.
• Facilitate and encourage staff participation in departmental and hospital quality improvement efforts and committees.
• Attend departmental and hospital committee meetings as assigned.
• Coordinate, facilitate, participate, and direct departmental projects with follow-through and appropriate follow-up.
• Other projects and duties as directed by the department managers.

Education/Experience

• Applicants must have an unrestricted valid Registered Nurse license within the state of North Carolina or a state that is accepted as reciprocity.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Nursing with 2 years of nurse supervisory experience or an Associate’s degree in Nursing with 4 years of nurse supervisory experience.
• Applicant must have at least five years of nursing experience in critical care.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) minimally required. Triage First, TNCC, and ENPC can be acquired through the facility within 6 months following appointment to position.

Job Knowledge

• Knowledge of principles, practices, techniques, and theories of professional nursing in order to plan and provide nursing care to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual, and socio-cultural needs of patients of all ages; specifically, Infancy (Birth-1 year), Toddler and Early Childhood (2 years), Latency (6-9 years), Preadolescence (10-12 years), Early Adolescence (13-15 years), Adolescence (16-20 years), Adult (21-64 years), and Elderly (65 years).
• Knowledge of the nursing process and its application to clinical practice.
• Knowledge of the RN, LPN, and CNA scope of practice.
• Knowledge of the biological aspects of the disease process and illness in order to recognize complications and therapeutic interventions required.
• Knowledge of medications and dosages in order to recognize desired effects, side effects, and complications of their use.
• Knowledge and ability to analyze the results of various medical procedures and translate into appropriate nursing interventions.
• Knowledge and ability to independently plan, manage, and organize work in order to meet priorities, accomplish work within established time frames, and work in stressful situations.
• Knowledge of the occupational functions of a multi-disciplinary healthcare team.
• Knowledge of the culture and medical health profile of the patient population.
• Knowledge and ability to teach and counsel patient/family on health maintenance and disease prevention.
• Knowledge of available healthcare programs and community resources.
• Knowledge of processes and procedures for establishing, revising, continually monitoring, and evaluating standards for the practice of nursing.
• Knowledge and skills in operating specialized medical equipment, such as monitoring devices, suction pumps, oxygen equipment, etc.
• Knowledge of problem-oriented medical record methods.
• Knowledge of legal and ethical aspects of nursing.
• Applicant must have a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

Complexity of Duties

The incumbent will be responsible for leading a team of 4-7 and will be expected to function in a leadership role. The RN role requires flexibility and the ability to lead team members who possess a variety of personalities. The RN role necessitates the incumbent to always maintain a high level of integrity, poise, and control.

The nurse provides a full range of comprehensive nursing care that includes assessing patient needs, development of a plan of care, administration of medications and therapeutic measures, operation of specialized medical equipment, evaluation of the plan of care to ensure that the physical and psychosocial needs of the patient are met, and counseling and teaching of patient and families. The nurse must recognize and respond appropriately to patient conditions that deviate from normal and identify, analyze, and report on causative factors and reactions.

Guidelines consist of professional standards of practice as determined by the nurse practice act, nursing and medical policy and procedures, standing orders, and hospital and agency policies. Complies also with federal, state, accrediting, and local regulations. These guidelines are not always specifically applicable to the individual patient or situation and independent judgment is required in selecting the most appropriate guideline, and applying the intent of the guideline to the specific situation at hand. The nurse receives assistance from the department’s Nurse Manager with difficult or unusual problems.

Supervision Received/Supervision Responsibilities

The nurse provides supervision for teams ensuring they plan, schedule, and provide nursing care in coordination with the medical care plan and attempt to solve problems within established procedures. This is done under the supervision of the Emergency Department Nurse Manager. The work is evaluated for technical soundness and adherence to professional standards.

Responsibility for Accuracy

The incumbent has a positive effect upon the recovery of the patient and is responsible for following policies and procedures, which serve as hospital guidelines and prevent errors from occurring. Errors can have a negative patient outcome since the incumbent’s performance affects the health, recovery, and rehabilitation of patients, and the quality of care provided. Evaluations and observations are used to modify and develop clinically appropriate treatment plans. Work can be verified or checked by the immediate supervisor, other healthcare providers, or systems checks, but usually the responsibility for accuracy relies solely on the incumbent.

Contact with Others

Contacts are with patients, families, hospital personnel, and community agencies. Contacts with patients, families, and hospital personnel are to exchange, provide, and obtain information concerning the patient’s physical and psychosocial health care problems and needs. The nurse uses teaching and counseling methods to influence and motivate patient and family behavior. Contacts

with other healthcare or related disciplines within the hospital are for the purpose of collaboration and consultation. Tact, courtesy, and professional conduct are required to maintain positive working relationships. Utmost sensitivity and confidentiality are required when dealing with patients and families.

Confidential Data

The incumbent has access to highly confidential patient medical and personal information. The Privacy Act of 1974 mandates that the incumbent shall maintain complete confidentiality of all administrative, medical, and all other pertinent information that comes to his/her attention or knowledge. The Act carries both civil and criminal penalties for unlawful disclosure of records. Violations of such confidentiality shall be cause for adverse action.

Mental/Visual/Physical Requirements

Work in the various services within the nursing department is mostly ambulatory, yet requires a moderate amount of standing, bending, pushing, and lifting in helping patients to and from beds, wheelchairs, and stretchers. These same activities are required in moving equipment and medical supplies. The incumbent will be subject to frequent interruptions requiring varied responses, which can cause distractions; therefore, the incumbent must possess the ability to differentiate and prioritize many tasks at once. May occasionally move more than 15 pounds.

Environment

Must be flexible in working hours. Work is performed in the emergency department setting, which is responsible for treating patients with a wide variety of medical problems. The incumbent may be exposed to communicable diseases. The incumbent is required to comply with Employee Health Program guidelines, including current immunization status of identified communicable diseases, and safety precautions are sometimes necessary, such as the use of personal protective equipment as required by hospital policy. The work environment involves moderate risks of exposure to infectious disease, radiation, electrical hazards, irritant chemicals, and explosive gases.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by displaying characteristics consistent with the CIHA Guiding Principles. Ensures excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service.