RN Clinical Resource Lead (MedSurg)

Description

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Director of Med/Surg and Education and the Chief Nursing Officer, the RN Clinical Resource Leader serves as a clinical and operational leader for the Medical-Surgical Department, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. This role combines direct patient care responsibilities with the coordination and oversight of daily nursing operations, staff support, and clinical resource management. The RN Clinical Resource Leader provides guidance, mentoring, and education to nursing staff; facilitates effective communication among interdisciplinary team members; assists with patient flow and unit operations; and promotes compliance with organizational standards and regulatory requirements. The position supports quality improvement initiatives, patient safety efforts, staff development, and evidence-based nursing practice while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and excellence. This role requires advanced clinical judgment, critical thinking, strong assessment and leadership skills, and the ability to function independently in a fast-paced healthcare environment. The RN Clinical Resource Leader ensures adherence to Joint Commission (TJC), CMS, federal, state, and local regulations, as well as organizational policies and procedures, while maintaining strict patient and organizational confidentiality.

Standards of Performance

Clinical Leadership and Patient Care Coordination

• Coordinates and oversees nursing activities during assigned shifts to support safe, efficient, and effective patient care.
• Serves as a clinical resource and mentor to nursing staff and interdisciplinary team members.
• Assists with patient assessments, complex clinical situations, escalation of concerns, and service recovery needs.
• Coordinates patient assignments and patient flow based on acuity, staffing levels, isolation requirements, fall risk, admissions, transfers, surgical admissions, and anticipated discharges.
• Collaborates with physicians, laboratory, cardiopulmonary, therapy, social work, and other interdisciplinary providers to promote continuity of care.
• Facilitates timely admissions, transfers, and discharges, including support for emergency room-to-Med/Surg bed placement within established timeframes when applicable.
• Conducts patient rounds to monitor quality of care, identify concerns, address patient and family needs, and improve patient experience.
• Monitors patient status communicates changes in condition to appropriate providers, and reviews medical records to assess progress or identify areas of concern.
• Identifies issues that may place patients at risk for complications, readmissions, or adverse outcomes.

Operational Leadership and Department Coordination

• Serves as the designated chain-of-command resource for the Med/Surg Department in the absence of departmental leadership.
• Coordinates departmental activities, workflows, and the functions of nurses and healthcare professionals involved in patient care during the designated shift.
• Monitors staffing levels, supports adequate staff coverage, and communicates staffing needs to nursing leadership.
• Participates in daily shift huddles, communicates operational priorities, and conducts lead shift huddles to review census, staffing, and potential concerns.
• Provides recommendations to leadership regarding staffing, workflow improvements, patient care initiatives, interviewing, selection, and training of new staff.
• Supports the Director of Nursing Clinical Lead in implementing, monitoring, and sustaining new expectations, initiatives, and departmental priorities.
• Promotes a positive, calm, and collaborative Med/Surg work environment that supports teamwork, professional communication, and high-quality care.

Staff Development, Education, and Accountability

• Assists with orientation, onboarding, mentorship, coaching, and clinical guidance for new and current nursing personnel.
• Identifies educational needs and coordinates training opportunities related to competencies, unit education needs, new procedures, changes in practice, equipment, and processes.
• Monitors staff competency validation, mandatory education, in-service participation, and annual competency assessment requirements.
• Promotes evidence-based practice, professional development, and transfer of learning across the department.
• Supports performance evaluations, competency validation, and ongoing staff accountability by providing input, identifying development needs, recommending corrective actions when appropriate, and assisting leadership with follow-up related to training, policy compliance, and performance improvement.
• Serves as a resource for staff and models commitment to the organization’s mission, vision, values, patient experience, and clinical outcomes.

Quality, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance

• Promotes adherence to professional nursing standards, hospital policies and procedures, state nursing requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Supports quality improvement, patient safety, infection prevention, OSHA compliance, risk management, and high-reliability practices.
• Ensures departmental readiness for surveys, inspections, accreditation reviews, and compliance with Joint Commission (TJC), CMS, OSHA, Georgia Department of Public Health, and state nursing regulations.
• Participates in monitoring clinical outcomes, implementing improvement initiatives, and maintaining internal controls to support compliance.
• Assists with incident investigations, corrective actions, regulatory follow-up, and risk-reduction strategies.
• Actively participates in quality improvement and risk management programs at the unit level and supports Hospital/Nursing Unit quality goals.

Customer Service and Relationship Management

• Develops positive working relationships with patients, families, physicians, staff, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Addresses patient and family concerns in a timely, compassionate, and professional manner.
• Collaborates with departmental leadership, the Director of ED/Med Surg, Compliance Officer, and Risk Management to resolve complaints, service issues, and patient care concerns.
• Promotes excellent customer service and a patient-centered culture focused on quality, safety, communication, and service excellence.

Administrative and Professional Responsibilities

• Reviews clinical documentation and patient records for accuracy, quality, completeness, and compliance.
• Assists with data collection, audits, reports, performance monitoring, and required documentation in a timely and accurate manner.
• Participates in departmental meetings, assigned committees, and organizational initiatives.
• Maintains effective communication with leadership and team members regarding operational concerns, patient care needs, and opportunities for improvement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Level of Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Completion of an approved Registered Nurse training program is required. 

Formal Training: Must demonstrate the clinical knowledge, leadership ability, and operational judgment necessary to support Medical-Surgical Department operations as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

• Operational Coordination: Ability to plan, organize, supervise, and coordinate Medical-Surgical operations in a complex clinical environment.
• Critical Thinking and Data Interpretation: Ability to interpret, analyze, and present complex information to support informed clinical and operational decisions.
• Delegation and Accountability: Demonstrated ability to delegate responsibilities with appropriate authority while retaining overall accountability for assigned tasks and outcomes.
• Problem Resolution: Ability to identify problems in a timely manner, develop and implement effective solutions, evaluate results, and revise plans as needed.
• Leadership and Staff Support: Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to work effectively with clinical staff, delegate according to individual skill levels, and model and mentor appropriate professional behavior.
• Organization and Time Management: Strong organizational and time management skills are necessary to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

Licensure, Certification, Registration: Current, unencumbered Georgia Registered Nurse license required. BLS, PALS, and ACLS certification must be obtained within 30 days of hire. 

Work Experience: Minimum of three years of nursing experience required. Leadership experience is preferred. Critical care experience and recent, specific experience caring for cardiac patients are desirable.

Computer Skills: Proficient computer skills required, including effective use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Must be able to navigate and document accurately in the electronic medical record (EMR), review patient information, enter required documentation, and use electronic systems to support safe and efficient patient care.