Nurse Clinician II, Institute for Translational Sciences

Minimum Qualifications: 
RN with six months of clinical RN experience and/or successful completion of probationary NC I period documented on nursing evaluation tool. Must possess and maintain a current Registered Nurse license or valid permit to practice in Texas. Current BLS required.

Job Summary: 
Advanced Beginner Clinician. Possesses knowledge and skill necessary to meet nursing standards for professional practice specified in Texas Nurse Practice Act without supervision. Recognizes when assistance is needed and seeks appropriate resources. Practice is characterized by a balance of dependent and interdependent decision making. Focus is on expanding knowledge and skills for specialty area. Provides patient care through nursing-based practices upon the American Nurses Association Standards of Professional Practice and Professional Performance. Values specialty unit, nursing, and institutional strategic initiatives and health system goals.

Job Duties:

The nurse will assist in conducting a Universal Influenza Vaccine Trial in the Division of Infectious Diseases. Research will require nursing and administrative tasks associated with this vaccine trial. The nurse will work with faculty, clinical and research professionals, and engaging potential clinical trial participants in support of this research.

Nursing Process 

• Assesses, plans, implements, evaluates, and documents the daily care of assigned patients
• Identifies nursing diagnoses/patient care needs. Develops and individualizes care plan, and revises plan of care as needed
• Executes physician's orders for all assigned patients. Administers medications and treatments and delivers culturally congruent and specialty appropriate competent nursing care in accordance with UTMB's policies, procedures, and standards in a caring and compassionate manner
• Performs routine technical procedures/skills in specialty area assigned

Patient/Family Teaching & Health Promotion 

• Provides basic patient/family instruction and healthcare teaching based on identified learning needs (patient values, beliefs, barriers, and readiness to learn)
• Identifies potential impact of family dynamics*
• Utilizes evidence-based resources to provide patient/family education.
• Uses Teach-Back to determine effectiveness and modifies strategies as needed

Care Coordination & Delegation 

• Plans, coordinates, and prioritizes patient care activities according to skill level and work complexity 
• Maintains safety and continuity of care using methods such as bedside shift report, hand-off tools/processes, inter-disciplinary rounding, etc. 
• Demonstrates effective time management skills 
• Delegates appropriately, seeking guidance when needed 
• Demonstrates competent use of technology in the delivery of patient care 

Professional Performance 

• Ethics (legal/regulatory), Advocacy & Culturally Congruent Care 
• Identifies ethical situations and seeks assistance, if necessary, to resolve 
• Utilizes available resources when ethical issues arise 
• Delivers culturally sensitive care using resources to meet the needs of patient/family 
• Serves as a patient advocate, seeking guidance when necessary 

Communication & Collaboration 

• Supports healthy work environment by demonstrating respectful verbal and non-verbal communication with all members of the healthcare team. Seeks assistance for support with challenging communication 
• Recognizes colleagues when they go above and beyond in demonstrating UTMB’s core values. 
• Plans, coordinates, and prioritizes patient care activities in collaboration with inter-professional team 

Leadership 

• Recognizes informal and formal unit/hospital leaders and can educate colleagues regarding unit/hospital leadership 
• Recognizes unit, nursing, and institutional strategic initiatives and health system goals 
• Recognizes the importance of financial responsibility to promote fiscal health for the patient, unit and organization 

Education, Evidence-Based Practice & Research 

• Attends/participates in unit meetings/activities and supports the philosophy and goals of the unit department and organization 
• Participates in shared leadership at the unit level* 
• Participates in unit based quality improvement activities 
• Attends in-services and continuing education activities 
• Participates in one journal club annually* 
• Completes the UTMB/Vizient™ Nurse Residency Program and completes an evidence-based practice project as required* 
• Demonstrates commitment to lifelong learning (evidence-based practice, specialty certification, advanced degree, etc.) 
• Demonstrates ability to accept and adopt change by seeking knowledge and needed information 
• Demonstrates knowledge of how to access and utilize evidence-based resources to guide patient care 

Quality, Resources & Safety 

• Identifies patient safety concerns, and reports appropriately; addresses immediate safety concerns appropriately 
• Identifies unit quality metrics/outcomes data and improvement activities; actively engages in discussion, activities related to unit goals 
• Demonstrates self-care through practices that support personal well-being, personal safety and injury prevention 

General Requirements: 

• Completes required specialty specific Competency Based Orientation (CBO) tools by the initial performance evaluation due date for placement in employee file. 
• Actively participates in ongoing self-evaluation of competency using Competency Based Orientation (CBO) tools and e-performance nursing appraisal. 
• Completes the annual self-evaluation on time for competency and performance evaluation 
• Performs and reports point of care testing (POCT). 
• Prioritizes and organizes work so that required assignments are completed within a specified time frame. 
• Provides and maintains a clean, safe environment and performs and/or assists others to perform proper aseptic technique, isolation procedures and infection control measures. 
• Practices basic cost containment for patients and the unit. 
• Consistently completes accurate, concise and legible documentation for all patient, unit and hospital records (including care delivery and telephone patient related interactions). 
• Competently utilizes electronic forms of communication and documentation. 
• Meets periodic UTMB and unit specific compliance requirements for health screening, training, attendance, safety, and CPR. 
• Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure. 

Salary Range: 
Actual salary commensurate with experience.