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POSITION TITLE: Quality Improvement Registered Nurse (QRN)

REPORTS TO (TITLE): Chief Nursing Officer, dotted-line reporting relationship to Director of Quality/Risk Management

PAY RANGE: $55-65/hr (non-exempt)

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

Under the supervision of the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), the QRN monitors and evaluates performance improvement (PI), quality improvement (QI), and data integrity in the Nursing Department. This includes conducting research; analyzing, tracking, trending, and interpreting data; developing written reports; and facilitating related training programs to improve operational and program efficiencies, and other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Experience/Education:

+ Active California Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing required

+ Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree required

+ Minimum of 2 years’ nursing experience, with at least 1 year in psychiatric or behavioral health settings required

+ Experience in quality improvement, performance improvement, or infection control in healthcare setting preferred

Knowledge:

+ Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Handle with Care (HWC) certifications or obtained during initial orientation period

+ Knowledge of infection control procedures, CALOSHA, OSHA, and CDC guidelines

+ Knowledge of the principles of epidemiology and infectious disease

+ Knowledge of the County Health department procedures and practices, CDPH, TJC, and CMS standards

+ Thorough knowledge of all infectious disease, disease warning signs, and response procedures

+ Knowledge of psychiatric and medical nursing procedures is essential

+ Skills and Abilities:

+ Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines

+ Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures

+ Effective oral and written communication skills

+ Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers

+ Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures

+ Ability to use good judgement and to maintain confidentiality of information

+ Ability to work as a team player

+ Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication

+ Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures

+ Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adolescent, adult and geriatric)

+ Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

+ Ability to meet corporate deadlines

+ Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations

Physical Requirements:

+ Ability to sit and stand (one-third of the shift), and walk (two-thirds of the shift)

+ Ability to reach above, at or below waist height, kneel, bend, stoop, turn twist, and throw

+ Ability to see well enough to reach charts, treatment plans and typewritten materials

+ Ability to hear well enough to detect noises on the unit and to discern odors

+ Ability to frequently lift and carry 10 lbs., occasionally lift and carry, 10-50 lbs

+ Ability to frequently push/pull wheeled carts from 100-200 lbs

+ Ability to manipulate small and large tools (electric thermometer, telephone, wheelchair, blood pressure cuffs, walkers, paper punch, addressograph, restraints, staplers, EKG machine, copy machine)

+ Ability to spend 95% of the work day inside in temperatures varying from 60 degrees -90 degrees F. and where noise levels range from low to high

+ Ability to spend 5% of the work day outside in temperatures varying from 30 degrees-110 degrees F

+ Ability to frequently handle hazardous/infectious waste

+ Ability to work in an environment where chemicals are frequently used for cleaning; where mechanical and electrical hazards may occasionally be present and where dust, mist and steam are generated in housekeeping tasks

+ Maintain Material Safety and Data Sheets (MSDS/SDS) for facility wide products

+ Ability to work frequently at a rapid pace and perform a variety of repetitive duties

+ Manage supplies related to prevention and containment of infectious diseases

+ Maintain facility Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Cleaning Supplies “Burn Rates.”

+ Ability to respond to exposure to blood and body fluids - category 1