Job Description

To provide expert nursing care for an individual or group of patients with complex problems and unpredictable outcomes using knowledge of nursing theories and to assist in the administrative and educational functioning of the unit.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Include the following. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be

Dependent upon area of assignment (hospital or ambulatory care) performs all, or a combination of, the following:

1. Delivers expert nursing care based on in-depth knowledge and expertise by:

• Assess factors of the patient’s past and present physical, psychosocial, and cultural baseline, health problems, and external support systems which may impact on his/ her ability to cope with current health situation.
• Define a nursing problem list, based on the assessment of the patient, that reflects the consideration of the medical diagnosis and the patient’s problems.
• Define realistic measurable goals related to each problem.
• Develop a nursing plan which is directed toward the optimal resolution of nursing diagnoses and prevention of future problems.
• Evaluates and document a patient’s progress toward goals.
• Collaborates with the appropriate health care professionals in implementing a comprehensive plan of care.
• Provide an individualized plan of nursing care which assists the patient is maximizing participation in his/ her care.
• Revise the nursing plan of care and / or goals as necessary.
• Implement appropriate patient education programs to meet individual health care needs.
• Initiate discharge planning within 24 hours of admissions.
• Records nursing care using appropriate documentation.
• Demonstrates administrative and clinical leadership skills by:
• Monitoring and evaluating the practice of primary nursing according to department standards.
• Anticipating patient care or staff problems that may arise and initiating preventative measures.
• Determining numbers and types of personnel needed and taking action to obtain staff through the next 24 hours in cooperation with the Staffing Office.
• Assessing patient needs and personnel capabilities in determining assignments.
• Assisting less experience staff in expanding their knowledge and skills.
• Evaluating working relationships of staff members and providing counseling to improve communication and interaction between staff and team members
• Planning and implementing formal unit programs including orientation, in-service, patient education, quality assurance and systems of patient care management.
• Developing, evaluating, and revising standards, policies and procedures within area of practice.
• Counseling and evaluating staff under direction of Clinical Manager, Chairman, and/or Practice Group Administrator.
• Serving as a role model in the area of professional and ethical behavior.
• Precepting and orienting staff to policy, procedure and clinical situations under direction of Clinical Manager, Chairman, and/or PracticeGroup Administrator.
• Develops and revises teaching standards for patient and / or staff.
• Maintains accountability for delivery of nursing care and for aspects of care delegated to others.
• Adheres to ethical and legal standards of the hospital and the profession.
• Participates in identification of research questions and collection of data.

Other Related Duties

1. Maintains professional expertise by earning 30 contact hours per year and through review of current Nursing literature.
2. Attends and participates in staff meetings.
3. Develops goals in consultation with nursing managers for professional growth and development.
4. Participates in unit level, department and hospital committee.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

A Bachelor’s degree in nursing with at least four years of relevant clinical experience is necessary.

Or

Master’s degree in nursing. Certification in special area is necessary.

Experience

At least three years relevant clinical experience is necessary.

Competencies

Must be able to communicate providing verbal feedback in a professional manner. Must be able to follow and understand instructions, and react favorably in all work situations. Must be mentally adaptable and flexible in dealing with a variety of people.

Supervision Received

Dependent upon area of assignment, supervision is received daily from the Chairman, Department Clinical Manager or Practice Group Administrator.'

Supervision Exercised

Functional supervision is exercised over professional and non-professional staff.

Typical Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Frequent mobility and/or sitting required for extended periods of time. Requires manual dexterity to operate computer keyboard, calculator, copier machine, and other office equipment.

About GW MFA

MFA physicians provide comprehensive patient care, offering one practice for the whole person with 52 medical and surgical specialties. As members of the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences faculty, MFA providers are teachers and mentors for medical students, residents, fellows, and researchers preserving the rich tradition of academics, research, and healing. In addition to maintaining a closely integrated alliance with The George Washington University and The George Washington University Hospital (GWUH) which is separately owned and operated by Universal Health Services (UHS), the GW MFA has active referring relationships with 12 area hospitals.

The GW MFA’s leading healthcare presence in the DC metro region is complemented by a network of community-based practices in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Given its geographic location in central NW Washington, DC, and proximity to more than 175 resident embassies, the MFA continues to evolve its international clinical outreach.