Staff RN IV - Lactation Consultant - Northside Hospital Inc.

The Staff RN IV position is part of the NSH Nursing Excellence Track (NEXT) program. Staff RN IVs are competent nurses and practice professional nursing in various clinical areas and settings. The Staff RN IV position is a voluntary promotion from the Staff RN III position and requires application to and approval from the NEXT Oversight Committee.

PRIMARY NURSING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Staff RN IV

Includes all provisions of Staff RN III, Plus:

1. Independently implements the nursing process for patients’ and plans care with multiple patient populations of the unit/service.
2. Adept and skillful in patient assessment techniques, utilizes multiple modalities to acquire a thorough assessment of the patient. Identifies abnormal assessment findings, independently assimilates additional patient information and communicates to providers and team. Teaches others assessment components.
3. Acknowledged by peers and leadership as a unit clinical resource for all patient types; knowledgeable of current evidence-based clinical guidelines; creates efficient and complex patient plans of care; proactively communicates with peers, colleagues, leadership, physicians, and others.
4. Maintains competencies in the safe operation of unit- and service-based patient care technology; efficient at computer documentation and instructs others to access hospital clinical information systems.
5. Supports patient autonomy and self-determination; serves as a resource for patients, families and staff in addressing ethical issues.
6. Identifies and assesses resource utilization and safety issues.
7. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships
8. Communicates clearly with patients, families, visitors, the healthcare team, administrators and others 
9. Applies the nursing process to systems or processes at the unit/team/work group level to improve care.
10. Demonstrates leadership by delivery and improvement of holistic and culturally sensitive care using collaborative strategies with colleagues.
11. Demonstrates leadership by involving others in improving care across the unit or service line.
12. Models leadership traits - demonstrates a positive and proactive attitude; supports peers and colleagues, participates in peers and colleague’s learning and growth.
13. Embraces and encourages change by constantly seeking creative solutions to improve quality and efficiency in delivering patient care. 
14. Collaborates with the team to identify, analyze, and resolve care problems through collaboration.
15. Educates colleagues and/or students and serves as a preceptor and/or mentor.
16. Acquires knowledge and skills to maintain expertise in area of practice. Participates in educational activities to improve clinical knowledge and enhance role performance.
17. Provide leadership in educational activities, departmental committees, research projects and other health-related projects. 
18. Collaborates with unit leadership to develop and/or update clinical guidelines to meet standards of care, provide patient/family education and staff education, and to address the needs of specific populations.
19. Evaluates practice of self and others using professional standards, relevant statutes, and regulations. Acts to improve performance of self, the team, the unit and service-line.
20. Initiates/participates in quality improvement activities that result in improved outcomes.
21. Uses a body of research to validate and/or change work group practice.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES, LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIRED:

CORE Education + Experience for RN Level IVs:

1. For RN WITH a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or higher nursing degree:
1. Licensed to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse (RN) in the State of Georgia, in good standing and without limitations.
2. Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited School of Nursing.
3. Minimum of three (3) years full-time experience as a RN in the same clinical specialty.

1. For RN WITHOUT a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (i.e., Associate Degree in Nursing, Diploma in Nursing), two options are available:

Option #1

1. Licensed to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse (RN) in the State of Georgia, in good standing and without limitations.
2. Minimum of four (4) years of full-time experience as a RN in the same clinical specialty.
3. Actively enrolled in and progressing in a BSN program.

Option #2

1. Licensed to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse (RN) in the State of Georgia, in good standing and without limitations.
2. Minimum of 10 years of full-time experience as a RN
3. Minimum of 5 years of full-time experience at as a RN employed at Northside Hospital in the same clinical specialty.

 Requirements (continued):

1. Certified in American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS).
2. Minimum of    three (3) years’ experience in lactation.
3. National Certification in Specialty (IBCLC).
4. Advanced problem-solving skills.
5. Certified in American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS).

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES/LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION PREFERRED:

1. BSN degree in Nursing

1. Other PREFERRED RN attributes are unit specific. Please refer to the specific clinical unit.