Nursing Team Leader - 5S - General Surgical Unit

About the role

The General Surgical Unit is a 32-bed unit specializing in exceptional postoperative care for general surgical patients. Nurses in this area have a 1:6 patient-to-nurse ratio and are trained in all aspects of postoperative care, including pain management, mobility, and bedside procedures. The team collaborates closely with local family practice physicians, hospitalists, and surgeons to provide a comfortable and healing environment tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

Responsibilities

• Functions as the unit-based clinical supervisor, responsible for staff direction, patient flow, patient safety, resource utilization, shift assignments, and overall quality of care.
• Provides and coordinates in-services, continuing education programs, and mentoring for clinical staff, especially recent hires.
• Actively coordinates and participates in performance improvement (PI) activities; collects data to assess employee performance and participates in staff evaluations.
• Must be available to work weekend and holiday shifts based on unit needs.
• Coordinates unit activities, provides leadership for staffing and patient assignments, and responds to crisis and emergency situations.
• Supervises and evaluates nursing care furnished to each patient in the assigned clinical department.
• Evaluates the care for each LPN-assigned patient upon admission and, when appropriate, on an ongoing basis in accordance with accepted standards of nursing practice and hospital policy.
• Promotes efficient patient flow, including timely discharges and admissions.
• Encourages a safe environment by promoting adherence to established protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Serves as a clinical resource and subject matter expert for staff.
• Provides just-in-time feedback with appropriate accountability as needed.
• Implements evidence-based practices.
• Rounds on patients, physicians, and employees.
• Leads the unit-based daily huddle and represents the unit at the house-wide daily huddle.
• Maintains records related to orientation in-service and unit competency assessments.
• Adheres to productivity, revenue, and expense goals.
• Displays sound judgment and critical thinking in decision-making and problem-solving.
• Maintains effective interdepartmental relationships by working with other unit leaders and departments to define and work toward common goals.
• Ensures compliance with various quality standards and regulatory agency requirements.
• May take management call as directed.
• Facilitates bidirectional communication to ensure timely exchange of information to all stakeholders.
• Treats all people (customers and employees) fairly and with respect, creating an environment that supports employee recruitment and retention.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards, including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, and colleagues.
• Performs essential job functions to ensure the safety of patients, visitors, and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors, and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety.
• Uses electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software, and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse with current Alabama or Multistate License required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Current American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider training required.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience as a registered nurse required.
• Specialty nursing experience preferred in the applied area.
• Must obtain within 6 months:
  • American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted Cardiac/Critical Care ACLS
  • Emergency Department-both campuses ACLS
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Emergency Department - Regional Campus only
  • Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
  • Perioperative ACLS
  • PACU - PALS
  • ACLS Women’s/Children NICU - Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP)
  • Labor & Delivery - ACLS, NRP, and Intermediate Fetal Monitoring
  • Mother Baby Unit - NRP
  • Pediatrics - PALS
  • Clinical Support Cardiac Monitoring Unit - ACLS
  • Dialysis ACLS
• International RNs: Current approved Alabama Board of Nursing RN license or multistate license required or ability to obtain prior to start.
• Current American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider training required or obtain within 30 days of start date.
• BSN preferred; minimum Associates required.
• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
• TNCC must be completed within 12 months of hire date.