Assistant Head Nurse (Medical Surgical)

Overview

The Assistant Head Nurse (AHN) assists in coordinating, developing, implementing and evaluating nurse care and practice within a specific unit. Maintains standards of nursing care and practice by directing and guiding unit personnel. Collaborates with nurse manager and educator with orientation of professional and ancillary nursing personnel assigned to unit. 

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates knowledge of medication dosages, calculations, frequency, and administration, monitoring for side-effects.
• Demonstrates knowledge about common adult illnesses.
• Conducts a complete assessment, reassessment of the patient as per routine, including vital signs.
• Understands pain assessment and reassessment using appropriate tools.
• Demonstrates familiarity with usage of medical supplies and equipment including ensure proper functioning and inventory.
• Participates in unit based continuous quality/performance improvement initiatives.
• Awareness of nursing and administrative policies and procedures and how to access them.
• Participates in policy and procedure development and revision.
• Start IV infusions (peripheral).
• Start continuous IV drips during emergency situation in accordance with policy.
• Access central lines using aseptic technique.
• Connects patient to cardiac monitoring and identify abnormal arrhythmia.
• Obtain blood specimen as per protocol.
• Provides family centered care and education. Including the patient in decisions when appropriate.
• Supports family dynamic and cultural characteristic of the patient.
• Assist with meeting and monitoring nutritional needs of the patient.
• Assist the medical team with bedside procedures, i.e. central line placement under aseptic technique.
• Monitor and accompany patient transported off of the unit, when necessary.
• Works closely and constructively with interdisciplinary team.
• Feeding and care of patient with via different modes and feeding devices:  oral feed, check placement, flush, assess for feeding tolerance, etc.
• Admit, transfer in and out, discharge patients as ordered.
• Administer blood and blood products as ordered.
• Document per policy and procedure.
• Educate patients and family regarding the disease process, treatment plans, nutrition, and unit orientation.
• Notify MD of abnormal assessment and change in patient’s status.
• Administer vaccines as ordered.
• Delegates responsibilities to team members:  RN, PCT, NA, Clerk, etc. and ensure tasks are completed timely. Provide assistance as needed.
• Participates in assigned departmental or organizational committees, meetings and/or conferences.
• Supervises and assists staff in the delivery of patient care through the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation.
• Establishes work schedules and assignments for staff according to patient census and acuity, space and equipment availability.
• Serves as a clinical resource and assists staff in clinical role based on staffing needs.
• Provides regular feedback to the patient care team to foster engagement and personal growth.
• Assists the Nurse Manager in the performance evaluation of assigned staff.  Communicates immediate concerns related to staff performance to Nurse Manager.
• Acts as liaison to internal and external personnel, patients, medical and nursing staff, and hospital administration.
• Manages the Nursing Unit in the absence of the Nurse Manager.
• Responsible for regulatory agency compliance during assigned shift.
• Participation in unit and multidisciplinary rounds and planning for patient care.
• Performs other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the Organization.
• Participates in supporting the organization’s vision, mission and values and adheres to and exhibits Organizational Standards of Behavior.

Qualifications

Education:

• BA/BS in Nursing or equivalent from accredited nursing program.
• Master's Degree in Nursing or Related Filed preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum three (3) years' medical-surgical nursing, charge nursing, or equivalent experience.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Critical thinking, math, and computer skills; Works as a team player. 
• Demonstrates respect and professionalism in all interactions.
• Excellent oral and communication skills. 
• Decision making and problem solving. 
• Able to read, write, see and hear English.

Licenses, Certifications:

• Current NY State RN License required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required.
• ACLS required
• Medical Surgical Certification preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Physically demanding, high-stress environment requiring prolonged periods of standing, reaching, walking throughout the working day. 
• Position will be required to stoops, bends, lifts, carry items weighing up to 35 pounds for routine performance of essential functions.
• An individual in this position may be exposed to: Adverse indoor and outdoor environmental conditions, Blood borne pathogens, Blood and body fluids, Physical hazards (e.g., needle pricks, etc.), communicable diseases, chemical hazards, radiation, and repetitive motions.
• Full range of body motion, able to lift up to 100 pounds, if necessary, to assist lifting and moving patients.
• Manual and finger dexterity, as well as hand and eye coordination.
• Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range
• Frequently sitting at desk working on computer
• Ability to flex working hours.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of The Brookdale Hospital Medical Center.

BHMC is an equal opportunity employer, it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, military status, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or handicap or other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.