Assistant Head Nurse-Labor/Delivery

Job Description

Marketing Statement
Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center is attuned to the healthcare issues that matter to the people of North Brooklyn. Woodhull focuses on preventing disease and promoting healthy lifestyles by reaching out to the community at various locations.
At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.
Job Description
Purpose of Position:
Assistant Head Nurse assigned to the Labor and Delivery Unit.
Areas Of Responsibilities
Labor and Delivery
Summary Of Duties And Responsibilities
Under the general direction of the ADN/Head Nurse, the Assistant Head Nurse directs the development, implementation and evaluation of the nursing regimen for patients including the diagnosis and treatment of responses to actual and/or potential health problems. This should be implemented by means of nursing methods and techniques such as case findings, health teaching and health counseling. The Assistant Head Nurse will schedule, assign guide, direct and instruct personnel on units in all nursing activities.
Specific Duties
 Leadership of Unit

• Promotes an atmosphere of professionalism, courtesy and respect on the unit.
• Plans and conducts regular meetings with staff members on unit in congruence with Head Nurse. Maintains Unit Minutes to reflect process and resolution of issues on unit.
• Participates in interdisciplinary meetings on a regular basis including daily morning rounds, staff meeting, leadership meeting, unit meetings, quality assessment and performance improvement activities, medication review meetings, etc. in the absence of Head Nurse.
• Reports malfunctioning equipment.
• Ensures that a safe environment is maintained, and that equipment is functioning safely.
• Promotes communication with medical staffs, other units and other departments.
• Provides guidance, counseling and direction to nursing personnel on the unit in order to achieve the goal of the Nursing Department.
• Fosters good public relations within the unit, other units and departments within the unit programs.
• Provides recommendations that are evidence based or directed to improve the unit.
• Facilities and/or makes implementation of needed changes
• Orients new staff to role and responsibilities.
• Seeks assistance from Supervisor/ADN/ Head Nurse or clinician in resolving conflicts involving staff or patient.
• Seeks assistance from appropriate nursing or hospital administrative personnel and members of other disciplines in solving clinical and management problems.
• Completes performance evaluations, unit orientation and competency for assigned staff according to Nursing Department and Human Resources policy.
• Performs diligent chart reviews on patient charts and providing staff with feedback where improvement is needed.
• Audits care and critical incidents by completing quality assurance forms as per policy.
• Compliance with code pink alert. Ensuring forms are completed and returned to service ADN for tracking.
• Attends audit, Infection Control and Management Meetings in the absence of HN.
• Communications with Assistant Director of Nursing (ADN) /Nurse-in-Charge (NIC) to share pertinent information.
• Completes written patient assignment within one (1) hour of beginning of tour; delegate’s responsibility to staff members; and evaluates compliance promoting individual’s growth.
• Develops monthly time schedules.
  

 Clinical/Patient Responsibilities: In-Patient Only

• Ensures that the nursing admission assessment and history are completed 24 hours after admission.
• Enforces Nursing Department policy/procedures.
• Make daily patient rounds to evaluate nursing care, assess staff performance and provide feedback and positive reinforcement of desired behavior.
• Evaluate staff compliance in all areas of the unit
• Provides direct care to patients acting as a role model for staff.
• Participates in health team rounds to share information and develop therapeutic plan.
• Evaluate par levels and notify HN of need in order to ensure adequate care on unit.
• Relieves Charge nurse, if need be, when assigned.
• Collaborates with primary nurse in the development of care plan and patient classification level.
• Reinforces patient teaching done by staff.
• Audit Narcotic Count sheets to ensure neatness, completeness and accuracy of count sheet. Provide staff with feedback if improvement needed. Inform ADN if staff requires progressive notice when dealing with sheets.
• Ensures narcotic counts are done with the NIC/Designee on the “off-going” shift.
• Ensures that adequate medications, equipment and supplies are available.
• Ensures that crash carts are checked, and equipment checklists are completed daily
  

 Staff Development

• Assumes responsibility for own continuing education, professional certification and development needs. Attends one (1) program to update clinical knowledge for area specialization each year.
• Demonstrates knowledge and sequence of action in emergency situations.
• When assigned to continuing education for nursing service, assists in planning, preparation, implementation and evaluation of training and educational activities for nursing and allied personnel.
  

 Personnel Policies and Procedures

• Observes the Nursing Department policy on attendance and timeliness in reporting and leaving work area.
• Wears identification badge at all times.
• Conforms to Nursing Department code on uniforms.
• Ensures that nursing personnel assigned to unit observe the above regulations.
• Observes policies on patient rights and maintenance of confidentiality of information.
  

 Unit/Service Specific Criteria

• Completes and post daily staff assignments within one (1) hour.
• Daily patient rounds.
• Maintains current NRP certification.
• Current New York State Registered Nurse Licensure, Neonatal Resuscitation Provider Certification and BCLS.
• Incorporates staff in monitoring/collecting data for unit performance improvement activities.
• Monitors and maintains Code Alert Alarm Log.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• A valid New York State license and current registration to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State; and
• Holds, or obtains through facility orientation, a valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS), and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA); and
• Six (6) months of experience as a registered nurse.
  

Department Preferences
How To Apply
If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply Now" button.
NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• Multiple employee discounts programs