The Nurse Lead is a Registered Nurse who works under the direction of the manager to facilitate safe and efficient operational flow of the nursing unit. The Nurse Lead is the first line clinical support for staff, physicians and other providers. Through interprofessional collaboration, the Nurse Lead will ensure that patient and staff needs are met while coordinating the patient flow into and out of the unit. The Nurse Lead will also contribute to patient care by taking a patient assignment. This clinician will function as part of interprofessional teams by communicating, planning, and implementing care directly with other healthcare professionals, including physicians, pharmacists, social workers, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners.
Departmental Specific Summary
Essential Duties
- ASSESSMENT 1. Completes an initial unit assessment at the beginning of the shift a. Makes formal rounds to include population specific patient assessment and interaction with staff regarding patient care b. Assesses staff competencies and appropriateness of staff assignments c. Provides direct patient care d. Identifies actual or potential patient or staff safety risks e. Collects information about potential admission and discharges by review of information from the admissions schedule, shift report, patient, family and/or nurse interview and collaboration with physicians and the health care team 2. Observes and ensures National Patient Safety Goals 3. Continually reassesses unit and patient needs 4. Identifies potential barriers to admission, discharges and transfers 5. Assesses unit staffing needs for the oncoming shift using patient acuity and oncoming staff competencies. 6. Ensures complete and accurate documentation of patient acuity, staffing, and breaks as required per Title 22.
- PLANNING 7. Ensures timely communication of projected staffing plan to Patient Flow Center each shift
- INTERVENTION 8. Utilizes professional, respectful, effective communication to delegate and direct unit activities and patient assignments 9. Supports the staffing and operational needs of the unit and organization by taking a patient assignment 10. Ensures completion of required unit routines including resolution of narcotic discrepancies and overrides, crash cart check, and other unit specific tasks as assigned 11. Meets with patient and family regarding feedback and follows-up with issues utilizing the KNOWN Standards 12. Ensures and facilitates staff’s prompt patient call light response and response to patient needs as appropriate 13. Ensures staff breaks and appropriate break coverage, approves overtime and missed meals as needed. 14. Requires ill/injured staff to have medical evaluation and complete required forms 15. Initiates, directs, assigns, and coordinates duties to be performed by staff responding to drills, emergencies, or disasters
- EVALUATION 16. Evaluates and modifies staffing plan, patient care assignments, skill mix, break assignment and coverage to ensure patient safety, avoid delays in the flow of patient admissions, discharges and transfers and to provide staff allotted time for breaks
- LEADING AND ROLE MODELING 17. Acts as a clinical resource and support 18. Keeps informed of clinical / unit / organizational updates / changes 19. Ensures that floats, travelers, registry staff and volunteers are oriented to the unit 20. Models compassion, understanding, problem solving and conflict resolution skills amongst the staff to assist patients and families having difficulty coping with their illness and/or hospitalization and maintains good public relations 21. Consistently keeps current on clinical, unit, department and medical center changes; shares information with staff members by facilitating shift huddles and utilizing all forms of communication as directed by Unit Manager 22. Models expertise through the application of evidenced-based practice in clinical decision making 23. Demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to the unit, department and organization’s mission and goals 24. Participates in unit, departmental or organizational activities as assigned 25. Informs multidisciplinary team members in protocols and guidelines of care related to patients. 26. Partners with Unit Leadership in making daily staffing assignments in accordance with budgeted hours per patient day and provides rationale for any staffing variances. 27. Seeks out opportunities for professional development (e.g. certifications, nursing committees, unit based projects, research, published peer review article) 28. Effectively collaborates with other disciplines and providers to meet the needs of patients and fellow staff members
- DIRECT PATIENT CARE ACCOUNTABILITIES 29. Follows policies and procedures; demonstrates ability to access online manuals. 30. Transfers learned scientific knowledge into practical application in applying the Nursing Process. 31. ASSESSMENT Appropriately completes Nursing Assessment upon patient admission, at each shift and with change of condition. Completes patient acuity by 0200/1400 daily (except ETC) – Optilink 32. DIAGNOSIS Interprets assessment information and formulates Nursing Diagnoses 33. PLAN – IPOC Develops Plans of Care with individualized interventions. Documents expected/projected patient outcomes. Reviews/Revises/Updates Plans of Care daily based on evaluation and interpretation of patient outcomes 34. INTERVENTION Administers medication and IV therapy appropriately at prescribed intervals. Completes patient care procedures correctly per policy at prescribed intervals. Delegates tasks based on others’ scope of practice and competency. Acts as patient advocate. 35. Manages restraint use per policy 36. DOCUMENTATION Documentation is complete and correct in Electronic Health Record 37. EDUCATION Provides patient/family education as needed 38. TRANSFER AND DISCHARGE Collaborates with Case Manager and/or physician regarding discharge planning. 39. EQUIPMENT Utilizes patient care equipment appropriately and safely according to manufacture guidelines (e.g.) 40. COMMUNICATION Communicates effectively with all members of the healthcare team including patient and family 41. ORGANIZATION Manages time effectively. Able to organize and prioritize responsibilities. 42. OBSERVES REGULATORY AGENCY REQUIREMENTS 43. Measure based on the appropriate level of care expected: MANAGEMENT OF THE CARE OF MEDICAL SURGICAL PATIENTS Demonstrates the ability to manage post surgical patients MANAGEMENT OF THE CARE OF PATIENTS IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT/S Demonstrates the ability to manage complex critically ill patients MANAGEMENT OF THE CARE OF PATIENTS IN THE STEPDOWN/TELEMETRY UNITS Demonstrates the ability to manage high acuity patients requiring specialized monitoring and care 44. QUALITY MEASURES Identifies and participates in data collection and process improvements related to Nurse Sensitive Quality Indicators 45. Performs other duties as assigned. (Examples: Enthusiastic participation in unit activities such as process improvement efforts, preceptor, peer education; changing assignment to meet patient needs, etc.)
Required Qualifications:
- Req Bachelor's degree Nursing Graduate from an accredited school of Nursing (BSN).
- Req 2 years Nursing experience in an Infusion Center
- Req Strong critical and strategic thinking, analytical and planning skills.
- Req Organization/time management skills.
- Req Excellent communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Required Licenses/Certifications:
- Req Registered Nurse - RN (CA DCA)
- Req Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
- Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)
- Req Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
- Req ONS Chemotherapy & Biotherapy
- Req Oncology Certified Nurse - OCN (ONCC)
USC Care Medical Group serves as the sole physician entity reporting to the USC Health System, uniting faculty clinical practice under Keck Medicine of USC. This entity oversees clinical governance, physician and ambulatory services, and core enterprise functions including billing, contracting, and financial operations. The organization encompasses 17 clinical departments, with approximately 1,500 physicians and 2,000 staff delivering care across more than 80 locations from Kern County to Orange County and into Las Vegas. USC Care Medical Group is the engine for patient-centered growth—advancing quality, safety, access, and financial strength through integrated, system-level thinking that transcends silos and traditional models. By building bridges across the enterprise, embracing innovation, and leveraging technology, we deliver seamless, 5-Star access and service while expanding clinical reach and diversified models of care. Our work fuels a sustainable cycle of good health—organizationally, financially, and within the communities we serve—driving continued growth from within and beyond the system’s boundaries.
The hourly rate range for this position is $49.20 - $104.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
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