Staff Nurse V-Clinical Educator - NICU

This recruitment is being used to fill 1 night shift vacancy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and to establish an eligible list to fill future vacancies.

About the Role

The Staff Nurse V - Clinical Educator partners with department leadership and Clinical Nurse Specialists to support staff education and development in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Responsibilities include Charge RN duties, Preceptor duties, Neonatal Transportation duties, and direct patient care. This position assumes full responsibility for supervision of a shift in the absence of an Assistant Nursing Department Manager or Nursing Department Manager.

Responsibilities

• Initiate the nursing process and perform highly skilled, clinical patient care including therapeutic measures prescribed by medical authority within the limits of the Nurse Practice Act and department policy; participate in preparation and implementation of written nursing care plans for individual patients.
• Evaluate the total nursing needs of the patient including physical, psychological, spiritual, cultural, and socio-economic; participate in planning, coordinating, and administering total patient care; evaluate symptoms, reactions, and progress; implement and update written nursing care plans.
• Work with patients and families through teaching, counseling, and other methods to help them understand, cope with, and accept illness, treatment, and therapy; assist in self-care strategies; supervise and participate in therapy groups, individual counseling, and family conferences as necessary; provide crisis intervention and follow-up therapy; make crisis referrals.
• Implement and interpret standards of care; communicate and record assessments, nursing diagnoses, interventions, and evaluations of patient’s progress using nursing care plans; maintain a safe, therapeutic environment for patients.
• Serve as a preceptor for new employees by orienting, teaching, participating in the evaluation process, and serving as a role model and resource person.
• Maintain records of patient’s health care treatment and/or hospital stay; prepare reports and standard forms; initiate and complete performance improvement and other studies in cooperation with the Nursing Department Manager.
• Assume full responsibility for the supervision of a unit or shift in the absence of an Assistant Nursing Department Manager or Nursing Department Manager; supervise and assist nursing personnel in the performance of patient care.
• Maintain and update knowledge base and nursing skills by reading literature, attending workshops, lectures, conferences, and classes as required by the Administration of the Department of Health Care Services.
• Participate on committees as assigned; represent the department to outside organizations.
• Identify staff development needs for members of the nursing staff.
• Prepare and present, within established guidelines, clinical projects as assigned; consult and coordinate projects with Clinical Nurse Specialists, the Education and Training Division, or other divisions for preparation of courses for Nursing and other staff.
• Perform Neonatal Transportation duties.

Requirements

Knowledge

• Theory, techniques, and practices of nursing, particularly in the area of specialization.
• New developments in patient care.
• Skills specific to clinical scope of practice, including the nursing process, nursing staffing patterns, basic supervision, and leadership skills.
• Safety principles and practices.
• Applicable Federal and State laws related to patient care.

Abilities

• Supervise and assist members of the health care team; maintain a high standard of care.
• Deal with patients empathetically and respectfully while performing treatments prescribed.
• Instruct patients in self-care and preventative health strategies.
• Follow oral and written instructions of a technical and professional nature accurately.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Provide effective customer service.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare routine reports.
• Develop and implement individualized care plans for patients.
• Coordinate several types of services necessary for appropriate care.
• Assist other staff in understanding current psycho-physiological aspects of illness.
• Set priorities and work accurately under pressure.
• Interpret policies and procedures.
• Teach clinical skills; develop basic teaching plans and teach classes.
• Supervise and participate effectively in performance improvement processes.
• Provide and promote a positive learning environment.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Mobility: Constant walking; frequent operation of a keyboard; standing for long periods of time, pushing/pulling, bending, and squatting; occasional sitting for long periods of time, running, climbing stairs, and climbing.
• Frequency of Lifting: Frequent restraining, lifting/turning of heavy objects or people.
• Visual Requirements: Constant need for overall vision, color and depth perception, hand/eye coordination, and field of vision/peripheral vision; frequent reading and close-up work.
• Dexterity: Frequent holding, reaching, grasping, repetitive motion, and writing.
• Hearing/Talking: Constant hearing of normal speech; frequent hearing and talking on telephone or radio; occasional hearing of faint sounds and talking over public address.
• Emotional/Psychological Factors: Constant concentration and public contact; occasional exposure to hazardous materials; frequent exposure to emergency situations, including trauma, grief, and death; decision-making; working weekends and nights; occasional work at heights, working alone, and overtime.
• Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to assaultive behavior by clients; occasional exposure to noise, cold/heat, hazardous materials, dirt, dust, smoke, fumes, and poor ventilation.

Pay

Approximate salary: $12,529.46 - $15,229.64 per month.

Schedule

Full-time, night shift.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Choice of three health plans (Kaiser, Select, Premier). Dependent coverage available.
• Dental Insurance: Choice of two dental plans (Delta Dental, United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan). No cost for employee-only coverage; dependent coverage available at employee’s expense.
• Vision Insurance: Coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP). No cost for employee-only coverage; dependent coverage available at employee’s expense.
• Life Insurance: Coverage based on years of service:
  • 1 but less than 3 years: $1,000
  • 3 but less than 5 years: $3,000
  • 5 but less than 10 years: $5,000
  • 10+ years: $10,000
  Employees may purchase additional term life insurance up to $200,000 at the group rate.
• 125 Flexible Benefits Plan: Voluntary program allowing pre-tax dollars for health-related expenses (Health Flexible Spending Account: $2,550 annual limit with $500 carryover) and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan: $5,000 annual limit).
• Retirement Plan: Covered by the County Retirement Act of 1937. Visit SJCERA for details.
• Deferred Compensation: Plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. Annual contribution limit: $22,500 (or 100% of includible compensation, whichever is less). Individuals age 50+ may contribute up to $30,000. Roth IRA (after-tax) also available.
• Vacation: 15 days annually up to 10 years; 20 days after 10 years; 23 days after 20 years. Accrual rate prorated for part-time employees eligible for benefits.
• Holidays: 14 paid holidays per year.
• Educational Leave: 40 hours annually for full-time employees (24 hours for part-time employees eligible for benefits). Not carried beyond the fiscal year.
• Sick Leave: 12 working days annually with unlimited accumulation. Eligible for 8 hours of administrative leave if leave balance equals at least half of cumulative accrual and employee is on payroll for the entire calendar year.
• Bereavement Leave: 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member; 2 additional days of accrued leave for death of employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent, or child.
• Merit Salary Increase: New employees start at the first step of the salary range. Eligible for a merit increase to the next step after 52 weeks (2,080 hours) on each step (1,840 hours for part-time employees).
• Standby Pay: Available for employees designated by appointing authority.