Plans, implements, supervises, and evaluates the delivery of patient-centred care within established institutions' policies, procedures, guidelines, and standards of professional nursing practice in the Medical Surgical Unit. Coordinates the care needed for a patient with different disciplines. Replaces nurses when sick leave arises. Ensures this is done through the management of human, financial and other resources; professional development of oneself and subordinates; involvement in strategic planning and fostering interdisciplinary and collaborative relationships. Enforces Joint Commission International (JCI) requirements, including but not limited to International Patient Safety Goals, and national and international standards.
General:
- Assists nursing staff in the development of clinical decision-making and problem-solving skills through case consultation, clinical demonstration, case review, bedside rounds, etc.
- Acts as a role model in the application of standards and philosophy of nursing practice.
- Ensures that nursing practice includes physical, psychological, social, and cultural dimensions utilizing the nursing process with consideration to the developmental and maturational needs of patients.
- Assumes responsibility for infection control, safety, and comfort of patients.
- Provides input in formulating patient care policies and procedures.
- Oversees collaboration with multidisciplinary health care team and coordination of medical and nursing management of patient care.
- Evaluates all nursing activities related to patient care.
- Evaluates the integration of the nursing process: identification of patient problem(s), implementation of plan of care and evaluation of patient progress toward desired outcomes(s).
- Provides direction and guidance in the delivery of patient care, incorporating outcomes and research evidence to guide practice.
- Promotes, oversees, and monitors unit patient /family education processes.
- Monitors compliance for accurate reporting and documentation of all patient care.
- Follows-up with subordinates to make sure they implement them in their daily activities.
- Demonstrates responsibility for meeting Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA) mandatory education (e.g., fire, safety, infection control and others).
- Participates in collecting and/or reviewing data to enhance services within the department and makes recommendations to modify the unit's clinical practice based on Quality Improvement (QI) findings.
- Adheres to privacy, confidentiality, and security policies and procedures related to Protected Health Information (PHI) or other sensitive and personal information.
- Promotes incident and customer complaint reporting to improve patient and family care.
- Investigates all incidents and customer complaints.
- Initiates risk management processes suited to the needs of patients in the unit.
- Ensures safe handling, and administration of Narcotic/ Controlled Drugs and documentation as directed by policies and procedures.
- Involves the patient, significant others and healthcare provider in the patient’s plan of care and education.
- Provides and supports direct culturally acceptable care for patients and families.
- Implements and evaluates new and creative approaches to meeting improvement goals.
- Corrects or reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate departments.
Operational Management:
- Ensures appropriate staffing:
- Assigns staff to patients daily according to acuity level.
- Plans and updates staffing weekly according to nursing hours.
- Maintains required staffing patterns, meeting continuity of care and acuity level on a 24-hour basis.
- Ensures proper skill mix.
- Controls overtime.
- Plans for the use of labour (vacation plans) by projecting needs over the calendar year.
- Ensures availability and maintenance of supplies and equipment to meet patient care needs.
- Plans for the use of material resources by projecting needs over the calendar year.
- Submits monthly and annual reports on a timely basis.
- Assists with developing priorities, goals, and action plans.
- Serves as a resource person to subordinates in issues related to operating the unit on a 24-hour basis.
- Participates in performance improvement activities and ensures that quality services are provided.
- Reviews workflow processes pertinent to own work unit and implements changes as appropriate to evolving conditions and technologies.
Administrative:
- Enforces attendance policies.
- Implements sick leave policies.
- Manages vacation scheduling.
- Oversees new employee orientation as well as the preceptorship and mentorship programs to maximize efficient outcomes.
- Develops, reviews, disseminates, and implements American Hospital Dubai's policies and procedures.
- Explains personnel policies to employees and ensure adherence to policies.
- Maintains required (patient or non-patient-related) records, data, reports, and statistics for administrative purposes.
- Supports the administrative structure of the unit and department.
- Communicates using established organizational channels.
Staff Development and Management:
- Ensures establishment of responsibilities and identification of priorities and performance standards.
- Allocates and delegates tasks effectively.
- Communicates individual goals clearly.
- Encourages and assists staff to deal appropriately with conflict.
- Conducts and contributes to staff meetings.
- Supports the Human Resources activities of the department regarding training, professional development, mentoring, and counselling.
- Performs evaluations of nursing staff.
- Monitors and evaluates nursing personnel per established evaluation criteria and personnel policies.
- Provides constructive feedback and support to subordinates to assist them in improving their performance.
- Invests in the development of the staff nurses on the assigned unit, by providing support, and feedback.
- Encourages critical thinking and evidence-based nursing practice.
- Implements specific disciplinary activities and carries out corrective measures, as well as submitting complete investigative reports as delegated.
- Recommends staff deserving recognition and reward for motivation and exceptional performance.
- Supports the creation of an environment fostering creativity and professional judgment, promotes staff growth and initiative, nurtures high morale, and meets employee's goals and objectives.
- Conducts ongoing assessments of staff educational needs and establishes in-service/development programs to meet these needs.
- Coordinates the development, implementation, and expansion of learning opportunities/skills development for all the unit staff.
- Monitors and assesses staff knowledge of emergency care.
- Facilitates opportunities for nursing staff to improve and/or expand clinical knowledge and skills.
- Identifies needs and implements staff education activities for the use of new equipment and /or technologies.
- Assesses and monitors staff competency.
- Coordinates competency–based validation of nursing staff for unit-specific procedures.
- Collaborates with other departments (Human Resources and Clinical Educators etc.) towards the development and coaching of subordinates to accomplish unit goals and objectives.
Unit Specific:
- Performs nursing interventions/procedures per established standards of care (Competency List “Green Book”) policy and procedures including but not limited to:
- Administers epinephrine, monitors vital signs closely, and provides supportive care while preparing for potential advanced interventions as necessary for managing anaphylaxis.
- Sets up and adjusts the BIPAP machine according to the prescribed settings, ensures proper mask fit, and monitors the patient's respiratory status and machine settings to optimize ventilation.
- Educates the patient on proper colostomy and ileostomy appliance application and maintenance, monitors for signs of complications, and provides ongoing support for long-term management of stoma care.
- Applies and maintains the negative pressure wound therapy device, monitors wound healing progress, and adjusts settings as needed to promote effective wound closure and prevent infection.
- Assists in bladder scan using the portable ultrasound device to assess bladder volume and post-void residual urine, and interpret the results to guide further patient care.
- Bachelor's degree in nursing (minimum of three (3) years full-time course duration) or
- Degree in Nursing (minimum two (2) years course duration) and Registration as a Registered Nurse from Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.
- For UAE nationals graduates of UAE or non-UAE universities are exempted from the experience and clinical training requirements for the applied title. (UAE nationals must submit a copy of their birth certificate and the mother's family book).
- Non-UAE national graduates from UAE universities are required to successfully complete six (6) months of clinical training post-graduation in an APS health facility (except for Registered and assistant Nurse titles).
- Must hold a valid License/Registration to practice in their home country and/or country of last employment (where applicable).
- Must hold a minimum of a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification or others according to the scope of practice.
- Post Graduate Qualification in Nursing Management/Advanced Clinical Speciality preferable.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum of seven (7) years of nursing experience in the Medical Surgical Unit.
- Minimum of three (3) years of Managerial Experience in the Medical Surgical Unit.
- Knowledge of Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA).
- Skills in Leadership and Management.
- Ability to speak and write in English fluently.
- Ability to speak and write in Arabic preferred.