JOB SUMMARY
The following reflects a definition of essential functions for this role, but does not restrict the functions and tasks that may be assigned.
Duties and responsibilities may be assigned or reassigned according to departmental needs.
The Assistant Unit Manager (AUM) is a frontline manager that directs staff to assure a safe patient centered environment, is a member of the clinical team and serves as a supervisor, coach, resource and support to the direct patient care Registered Nurse (RN).
The AUM utilizes discretion and independent judgment in providing supervision and oversight of a team of licensed and unlicensed nursing personnel during an assigned shift.
Essentials of the role are :
- Is part of and collaborates with the leadership team (Manager, Director, Administrative Nursing Supervisor and other AUMs) to ensure continuity of care is provided from shift-to-shift
- Serves as a resource to staff
- Role model and provides a positive influence to facilitate changes
- Utilizes interpersonal skills to maximize customer service in a manner that supports excellence in patient experience, evidence based safe patient care, and professionalism
- Contributes to a work environment of caring and cooperation among a culturally diverse workforce and patient population
JOB STANDARDS :
Education and Certifications
- Current California State license as a Registered Nurse
- BSN required; BSN within 5 years for qualified internal candidates
- BLS-HCP with American Heart Association as required by Hospital policy
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) in monitored areas
i Experience
- Must meet minimum CNII requirements
- Two years (or one year if MSN degree), 0.8 FTE to full time of demonstrated direct patient care experience in which the level of responsibility has been expanded (by request or assignment), with at least one year concurrent experience in appropriate clinical care area, necessary in order to gain full knowledge of and advanced skill in nursing care techniques and methods, as well as unit staffing and operations
Prerequisite Skills
Interpersonal skills necessary to provide effective leadership for unit personnel including : demonstrated skill in fostering a cooperative, team-focused working environment, conflict management, maintenance of effective communication, intra and interdepartmentally (inclusive of physicians);
ability to instruct and comfort patients and their families.
- Analytical skills necessary to organize and assist in oversight of unit activities, prepare nursing care plans, implement effective nursing care and develop solutions to difficult unit administration and patient care problems.
- Recent performance must be absent of any disciplinary actions for a minimum of one year.
JOB FUNCTION - Essential (not modifiable)
Key role responsibilities include : staff supervision, holding care providers accountable to clinical and service standards, coordinating patient throughput, and demonstrating high standards of quality patient care.
Demonstrates and coaches others to utilize critical thinking skills. Works under the direction of the Manager and Director of the department to develop, implement and evaluate systems that promote cost effective, quality patient care.
Quality patient care is defined as care that is safe, effective, efficient, timely, equitable, patient-centered, and evidence based.
- Supervising and directing unit personnel in order to ensure effective, efficient and safe provision of nursing care in accordance with established standards.
- Evaluates patient care needs in assigned unit, determines work priorities and approves assignment.
- Evaluates appropriate patient placement plan to admit and works closely with physician and supervisor to determine patient appropriate care assignments.
- Interviewing, orienting and training unit nursing personnel. Assists in validating staff competency.
- Assists with developing, evaluating and presenting in-service and educational programs.
- Assists in revising and / or developing departmental policies and procedures for area of responsibility. Implements and administers approved policies and procedures.
- Knowledgeable and competent in all service areas within the department.
- Close and effective collaboration with Administrative Nurse Supervisor.
- Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading appropriate publications and other literature and attending related conferences and seminars.
LEADERSHIP
- Inspire, lead and serve as a mentor to coworkers.
- Support teamwork between staff and physician workflow. Manage conflict between caregivers and escalate up the chain of command as necessary.
- Develop leadership and management skills that support unit management, staff and successful planning.
- Evaluate, document and report staff competency, performance or behavioral concerns to Clinical Manager or Director.
- Monitor progress and effectiveness of Performance Improvement Plans (PIP); assist in introductory and annual evaluations
- Act as resource to orienting, floating or less experienced staff.
- Monitor unit for workplace safety.
- Responsible for unit labor oversight of clinical staff throughout the shift.
- Check email for updates and ensure communication flow to all staff on shift. Stays up to date on unit communications and model changes in policy and practice and new initiatives.
Patient Assignments and Bed Flow
- Assign new patients to room & nurse, and control the process at the unit level; coordinate with ANS and sending AUM to receive patients in an organized, timely manner to ensure efficient room turnover.
- Receive and transfer patients within 1 hour of notification / bed availability. Coordinate direct orders with ANS and ensure completeness of admit orders according to the acuity level upon patient acceptance.
Use of patient tracking board.
- Adjust staffing for admits / discharges / changes in patient status.
- In emergent situations if no other resources available, accept a patient on a temporary basis to maintain patient safety.
Notify ANS of unit changes, events or incidents (death, MD issues, unsafe conditions, employee injury, etc).
Break Relief
- Schedule and support break relief.
- Coordinate rest and meal period assignments by assigning break RN to rest and meal period relief in rotation.
Acuity / Staffing
- Collect and enter acuity data from all RN’s during shift and complete Acuity / Sitter Tracking Tool.
- Report changes in patient acuity, ADT and / or staffing needs to ANS and staffing office throughout shift.
- Report acuity changes pending post-ops, admits, discharges, transfers, and staffing needs to ANS as soon as possible and at designated times.
Productivity
- Prepare staff for change of shift, assist with completing tasks or assign a resource. Verify and approve all overtime, missed breaks and meals.
- Monitor ADT throughout shift, notify ANS of mandatory and voluntary call-offs.
Unit Operations
Telemetry (if applicable)
oProvide oversight of telemetry utilization and verify telemetry unit assignments.
oTriage telemetry units during shortages and contact physicians for telemetry needs.
Core Measures
Audit and report and assume responsibility for all applicable core measures (CLABSI, VTE, SCIP, HF, vaccines, MRSA, etc.
or assign staff and monitor to complete tasks prior to deadlines.
Communication, Devices and Access
- Conducts shift huddles
- Review of relief charge nurses’ communication, review email for updates
- Assign communication devices, collect and inventory at end of shift
- Maintain mobile phones function for communication
Environment
- Maintain orderly unit and Fire / Life / Safety compliance
- Check crash carts and procedural carts (if applicable) daily and ensure availability after use
Clinical Support
- Manage and assist with direct patient care or direct resources for efficient operations and patient safety.
- Support organizational initiatives to improve communication, quality and patient experience (HCAHPS)
- Manage emergency situations; call RRT and codes.
- Coordinate coverage for patients off unit that require RN attendance or designate
- Monitor high risk patients as designated by high acuity
Patient Support and Experience
- Provide service recovery.
- Investigate and resolve patient and family concerns regarding patient care, communicate other needs to appropriate staff.
- Coach and role model to staff for positive performance.
Reports and Audits
Initiate and maintain all required logs and reports during shift.
- Patient assignment board
- Assignment sheet, unit events, codes, patient flow, assignments, ratio
- Safety Incident Report (SIR) entry and review
- Employee injury / illness reports (EIIR) and MIR
- Quality / core measures
- Correct Pyxis discrepancies every shift and perform weekly audit
- Quality control on department appropriate equipment
- Maintain unit equipment at appropriate locations and at a par level
At MarinHealth, our top priority is the well-being of our employees, patients, and community. As such, we require all employees to receive necessary immunizations, including the measles, mumps, varicella, and seasonal flu vaccinations as a condition of employment and annually thereafter.
Additionally, the continued recommendation to obtain a COVID + booster vaccination status. We understand that some individuals may require medical or religious exemptions from these requirements, but we remain committed to prioritizing the health and safety of all.
Thank you for helping us in our efforts to maintain a healthy and safe environment for all.
The compensation for this role listed on this posting is in compliance with applicable law. The selected candidate’s compensation will be determined based on the individual’s skills, experience, internal / market equity factors, and qualifications.
This posted minimum and maximum range represents the minimum and maximum of what we reasonably expect to compensate for the position.
Furthermore, all compensation decisions are ultimately determined in accordance with our compensation philosophy. Compensation for positions covered by collective bargaining agreements are governed by the agreements in the aforementioned document.