At Houston Methodist, the Sr Staff Registered Nurse (RN) position is responsible for functioning as an advanced clinician at the Proficient level according to Benner's model of clinical practice. The Sr Staff RN position provides professional direct patient nursing care to a diverse patient population, which may include patients with varied and complex needs, and is considered an expert in a specialty. Besides conducting nursing assessments, assisting with exams and treatment and maintenance of medical records, this position assists in coaching and mentoring department staff in areas of clinical and professional practice. Role modeling compassionate communication with physicians and the interprofessional health care team, the Sr Staff RN position assumes leadership responsibilities with high level contributions in the department and across the institution. Responsibilities for this position may include but are not limited to leading department clinical activities, assessing department needs related to practice and improvement opportunities, serving as a clinical resource for department staff and coordinating department education in partnership with management.

　　PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　Identifies staff development opportunities for professional growth of colleagues, provides coaching to meet identified goals. Acts as a model and coaches staff in effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication, which includes active listening and teaching. Provides oversight for new employee preceptorships.

　　Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment such as mitigation of conflict. Advocates for a balanced workload, promotes positive behaviors, and peer-to-peer accountability.

　　Improves nurse satisfaction by serving as a role model and mentor, facilitating teamwork with RNs, non-licensed and interprofessional staff. Drives improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.

　　SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　Role models the patient and family-centered care standards, as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document. Mentors others regarding specialty populations. Audits plan of care. Practices in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity and inclusion principles.

　　Develops, updates, and communicates plan of care, including discharge/disposition, in partnership with the patient, family and interprofessional health care team, using the nursing process. Prioritizes care based on the patient's needs, abilities, and preferences. Advocates on patient/family's behalf to identify and resolve clinical and ethical concerns. Develops appropriate resources and supports department practices and guidelines.

　　Develops and implements effective patient teaching strategies based on learning needs; uses appropriate resources, incorporating planning for care after discharge/disposition. Consistently evaluates the patient's comprehension and adapts teaching methods accordingly.

　　Drives department activities to improve department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards.

　　QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　Models the standards of care related to the nursing process, as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document. Provides care as the staff nurse leader to complex patients and leads the interprofessional health care team in implementing plan of care. Anticipates/prevents and recognize/resolves early declines in patient condition and emergent situations. Manages assignment of complex patients and other department demands. Identifies areas of practice improvements with research-based evidence to achieve quality measures and patient safety outcomes, supported by accurate documentation and patient teaching.

　　Models the standards related to regulatory requirements and professional practice as outlined in the Houston Methodist Professional Nursing Practice document. Role models highly developed assessment, clinical documentation, leadership, and analytical skills; integrates and contributes to professional practice standards, policies, procedures, protocols and leads improvements in patient safety-related processes at department or service line level. Contributes to development of service line and clinical standards and guidelines.

　　Partners on initiatives to improve quality and safety scores, through peer-to-peer accountability, reporting near misses and identifying solutions by collaborating with the interprofessional team. Role models situational awareness, using teachable moments to improve safety.

　　FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　Models independent time management effectively and prioritization of daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Actively participates in the stewardship and efficient utilization of resources and needs including capital and operational budget needs.

　　Implements department strategies to achieve financial target and mentors others to do the same through timely documentation of care, optimizing efficiency, minimizing incidental overtime, and other areas according to department specifications.

　　GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　Identifies opportunities for practice changes and performance improvement. Investigates and incorporates evidence-based practices which are presented to department and leadership. Supports change initiatives and adapts to unexpected changes.

　　Champions new care pathways or service line implementations to improve care to the community. Identifies trends for improvement opportunities or practice changes and supports initiatives. Researches the change and presents options to appropriate clinical leadership.

　　Expands individual nursing knowledge and coaches staff to grow in knowledge, abilities, skills, and attitudes. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Serves as the clinical resource. Develops and disseminates, as appropriate, informational/educational resources and programs designed to improve quality and professional practice. Completes and updates My Development plan on an on-going basis.

　　This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

　　EDUCATION

　　Bachelor's degree from an accredited School of NursingWORK EXPERIENCE

　　Five years of nursing experience

　　One year in specialty preferred

　　LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

　　RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure within 90 days or

　　RN-Temp - Registered Nurse - Temporary State Licensure within 90 days and

　　BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA) and

　　Other credentials and certifications as defined by department/service line

　　KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

　　Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

　　Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

　　Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

　　Strong assessment, organizational and problem-solving skills as evidenced by capacity to prioritize multiple tasks and role components

　　Ability to function independently and exercise judgment in interactions with physicians, interprofessional care team and patients and their families

　　Acts as effective change agent

　　Uses therapeutic communication to establish a relationship with patients, families and interprofessional team to collaborate on the plan of care

　　Uses critical thinking skills and clinical judgment to work autonomously as defined by the Nurse Practice Act

　　Demonstrates proficient time management skills

　　Working knowledge of Microsoft products including Outlook

　　SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

　　WORK ATTIRE

　　Uniform No

　　Scrubs Yes

　　Business professional No

　　Other (department approved) No

　　ON-CALL*

　　*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

　　On Call* NoTRAVEL

　　Travel specifications may vary by department

　　May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes

　　May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

　　Company Profile:

　　As one of the nation’s leading hospitals and academic medical centers, Houston Methodist has brought together some of the nation’s leading experts in multiple specialties to serve our patients. Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group employs over 800 physicians at more than 150 locations across Houston. Our specialists are on the forefront of research, developing leading-edge technologies and treatments, and teaching the medical pioneers of tomorrow. The combination of clinical service, research and academics ensure patients have access to the latest treatments and technologies while providing the best comprehensive patient care.

　　Houston Methodist is an equal opportunity employer inclusive of women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

　　Equal Employment Opportunity

　　Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

　　Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.

　　Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

　　Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.