Nursing Team Leader - Psychiatric - DCH Health System

The Team Leader functions as the unit-based clinical leader with responsibility for staff supervision, patient flow, patient safety, efficient resource utilization, mentoring of unit staff, especially recent hires, shift assignments and overall quality of care delivered.  The team leader plans, coordinates, and directs quality, compassionate care by maintaining standards of professional nursing practice and creating positive therapeutic relationships with patients/families.  The Team Leader, under the supervision of the Nurse Manager, provides and coordinates inservices and continuing education programs for the clinical staff when indicated.  Participates in PT activities; collects data to assess employee performance and participates in staff evaluation process.  The Team Leader must be available to work weekends, holidays, as per unit needs.  Shifts may include 12 hour and/or 8 hour shift patterns with the goals of providing ongoing Team Leader support each day of the week. 

The Team Leader is responsible for the following leadership and management duties:

1. Assists and interviews, selection, hiring, and retaining of employees.
2. Ensures orientation and training for employees.
3. Manages performance.
4. Assists with progressive discipline up to and including termination.
5. Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee handbook.
6. Manages front line operations of area of accountability related to meeting/exceeding departmental goals, 5 keys of excellence, and DCH Mission and Vision.
7. Coordinates unit activities and provides leadership for unit staffing and patient assignments and responds to and provides leadership during crisis and emergency situations.
8. Promotes efficient patient flow including timely discharges and admissions.
9. Encourages a safe environment by promoting adherence to established protocols, policies and procedures.
10. Serves as clinical resource for staff, especially for new employees and during complex patient care processes.
11. Effectively implements current techniques and/or programs to improve patient care processes.
12. Ensures care is delivered appropriately by: orienting staff in accordance with Standards of Practice, review of clinical record for appropriate documentation, and review of documentation of appropriate plan of care. Leads staff huddles to communicate important, “just in time” information to all staff on duty.
13. Regularly rounds on patients, physicians, and employees with focus on clinical safety, quality compliance, patient experience, satisfaction, physician and employee satisfaction and staff performance.
14. Rounds with physicians.
15. Provides direct patient care when needed.
16. Maintains records related to orientation in-service and unit competency assessments.
17. Adheres to productivity, revenue and expense goals.
18. Assures compliance with policies and procedures.
19. Displays sound judgment and critical thinking skills in areas of decision-making and problem solving.
20. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates programs for in-service and orientation.
21. Participates in PI activities
22. Responsible for assessing and meeting own professional education needs.
23. Interview, select, hire, and train employees.
24. Ensures orientation and training of new employees.
25. Manages performance.
26. Executes progressive discipline up to and including termination.
27. Manages front line operations of area of accountability related to meeting/exceeding departmental goals, 5 keys to excellence, DCH Mission and Vision.
28. Maintains effective interdepartmental relationships by working with other unit leaders and departments to define and work toward common goals.
29. Assures compliance with various standards and regulatory agency requirements 9the Joint Commission, CMS, Standards of Nursing Practice, PI process, value-based purchasing, Structural Indicators, Inc.).
30. Directs activities toward support of DCH Mission and achievement of Department and Unit goals and objectives.
31. Maintains exemplary attendance and availability according to department need and rotates management duty.
32. Communicates information verbally and in writing to appropriate persons.
33. Regularly prepares and presents staffing and outcomes metrics with action plans.
34. Consistently demonstrates the ability to utilize clinical data from Order Entry and PCU when collaborating with other health care professionals.
35. Demonstrates knowledge of documentation and down-time procedures.
36. Observes and practices DCH policy concerning patient confidentiality including on-line information and the Medical Record on file.
37. Performs initial and annual competency per job class.

DCH Standards:

1. Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
2. Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
3. Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
4. Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
5. Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
6. All other duties as assigned.

Current Alabama RN licensure.  Anyone hired as of April 2016 or later, must have a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or Health related field or must be actively working on a Bachelor’s degree with completion within 4 years of hire. Two years as a Registered Nurse.  Customer Service abilities including effective listening skills, critical thinking skills, decisive judgement and the ability to work with the minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.

Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English. 

Physical:    Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking.  Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 lbs.  Is able to push stretcher/wheelchair with average adult patient.  Is able to do frequent stooping and on occasion crouching, crawling or kneeling.  Ability to reach reasonable distances in any direction.  Ability to run in emergency situations.  Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner.  Must have ability to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips.

Environmental:  Includes exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard materials and/or cleaning solutions.   Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.

Psychological:  Includes demonstrating leadership skills, delegating to team members, addressing conflict, effective communication skills with all types of personalities, and being responsible for outcomes/results.