Staff RN III- Lactation Educator

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:

1. Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing
2. Licensed as a RN in the State of Georgia in good standing without limitations.
3. Must hold Certified in American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS).

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES/LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION PREFERRED:

1. BSN degree
2. Two (2) years of experience as a Registered Professional Nurse (RN).
3. One (1) year experience in lactation.
4. Preparing for the International Board Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) examination.
5. Additional Life Support credential (ACLS, PALS, NRP, etc.) or other clinical specialty certifications in specific units.
6. Visual color acuity depending on the role in specific units.