Registered Nurse (RN), Stroke Unit

Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation Unit - Part-time Day Shift

The Clinical Nurse II (CN II) is an experienced registered nurse who consistently demonstrates advanced clinical judgment, accountability, and leadership in the delivery of patient-centered care within the inpatient stroke rehabilitation setting. The CN II serves as a clinical resource, role model, and mentor while supporting evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient safety, quality outcomes, and excellent patient experience.

The CN II functions as a frontline leader who promotes a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and compassionate care while assisting the nurse manager in achieving departmental goals.

Primary Responsibilities

Clinical Excellence

• Provides comprehensive nursing care utilizing the nursing process.
• Demonstrates advanced assessment and critical thinking skills in caring for patients recovering from stroke and neurological conditions.
• Anticipates changes in patient condition and intervenes appropriately.
• Demonstrates proficiency in rehabilitation nursing principles.
• Coordinates individualized care plans that promote maximum patient independence.
• Ensures safe medication administration and adherence to organizational policies.
• Serves as a clinical resource for complex patient situations.

Stroke Rehabilitation Expertise

• Demonstrates expert knowledge of stroke rehabilitation principles.
• Reinforces stroke prevention education with patients and caregivers.
• Supports interdisciplinary rehabilitation goals established by Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Case Management, Pharmacy, and Providers.
• Promotes patient participation in therapy by coordinating nursing care around rehabilitation schedules.
• Assists with discharge readiness and caregiver education.

Patient Experience

Supports unit initiatives related to the Five Core Tactics by:

• Bedside Shift Report
• Individualized Bedside Report
• Commit to Sit
• Get to Know My Patient
• Nurse Leader Rounding support

Responsibilities include:

• Building therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Addressing patient concerns proactively.
• Assisting peers with service recovery opportunities.
• Modeling excellent communication techniques.
• Promoting individualized patient-centered care.

Quality & Patient Safety

Supports achievement of unit quality goals including:

• Fall prevention
• Pressure injury prevention
• Infection prevention
• Safe restraint utilization
• Safe PEG medication administration
• Accurate neurological assessments
• Bladder management and PVR completion
• Accurate documentation
• Regulatory compliance (Joint Commission, CARF, CMS)

Participates in:

• Root cause analyses
• Safety huddles
• Mock tracers
• Unit audits
• Performance improvement initiatives

Leadership

Serves as a positive clinical leader by:

• Acting as Charge Nurse as assigned.
• Serving as a mentor for new employees.
• Assisting with orientation of new staff.
• Supporting nursing students and clinical instructors.
• Providing real-time coaching.
• Promoting accountability among peers.
• Demonstrating professionalism during difficult conversations.
• Assisting with conflict resolution.

Teamwork

• Promotes collaboration across all disciplines.
• Supports positive working relationships with providers.
• Assists coworkers during periods of high patient acuity.
• Demonstrates flexibility with patient assignments.
• Participates actively in daily interdisciplinary rounds.

Unit Operations

Assists the Nurse Manager by:

• Monitoring staffing needs during the shift.
• Escalating operational concerns appropriately.
• Identifying opportunities to improve workflow.
• Assisting with implementation of new initiatives.
• Supporting regulatory readiness.
• Participating in shared governance activities.

Professional Development

The CN II is expected to demonstrate professional growth through activities such as:

• Specialty certification (CRRN preferred)
• Continuing education
• Unit-based council participation
• Evidence-based practice projects
• Quality improvement initiatives
• Community outreach activities (stroke awareness events, National Night Out, health fairs)
• Preceptor development

Expected Behaviors

The Clinical Nurse II consistently demonstrates:

• Accountability
• Clinical excellence
• Compassion
• Professional communication
• Initiative
• Critical thinking
• Reliability
• Emotional intelligence
• Respect
• Integrity
• Adaptability
• Commitment to lifelong learning

Education & Experience

• Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Maryland, or eligible to practice due to Compact state agreements outlined through the MD Board of Nursing, is required.
• Associate’s degree required; BSN preferred. 
• One year nursing experience. Solid knowledge and clinical skills.
• Current CPR certification required.
• Up-to-date status on all mandatory training and classes.
• Maintenance of 10 contact hours of education every two years.
• Member of a professional organization.
• Recent applicable clinical experience in a comparable setting.

 Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Responsible for maintaining competencies required for the patient care setting; focus on advancing own professional development
•  Demonstrates highly effective interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates leadership qualities through effectiveness as charge nurse, preceptor, or clinical resource. 
• Demonstrates effectiveness as an interdisciplinary team member.
• Ability to learn and use computer systems in order to manage patient information.
• Ability to participate in team-building efforts on units; supports and models teamwork
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.