Senior Clinical Nurse I

This role is designed for the nurse who is a clinical and professional leader at the unit level. Demonstrates effective and consistent leadership behaviors in advancing evidence based practices, leading unit governance initiatives, and coaching others to achieve and grow in the role of the professional nurse.

Clinical Practice:

1. Provides independent care of unit specific patient population; serves as Clinical Resource for others, utilizes and 

integrates evidence into practice, functions effectively in roles specific to unit(as defined by each department/unit).

A. Accountable to patients and families for the processes and outcomes of care during an episode of care.

B. Accountable to peers for the advancement of group practice on the unit, and to the nurse manager for 

the totality of work performance. 

2. Serves as a clinical expert and professional resource for the unit nurses. Utilizes clinical expertise to teach 

nurses informally on the unit in a structured role or through formal teaching in classes. 

3. Advances clinical practice on the unit, consistently integrates evidence into practice and uses this as a firm 

foundation for unit practice. 

Service/Quality:

1. Leads efforts to address Nursing Sensitive Quality Indicators (NSQI) improvement opportunities; 

develops/implements and evaluates action plans.

2. Leads performance improvement initiatives by designing, implementing, evaluating, and disseminating results.

3. Monitors patient and unit safety standards; actively contributes to development and implementation of 

improvement plans.

4. Coaches CNI and CNIIs on PI and/or evidence-based practice. 

5. Complies with, participates and leads regulatory activities in the unit/division or organization

Leads in the development of Performance Improvement, or Evidence Based Practice, or research at the unit 

level.

Unit Operations:

1. Performs charge role as scheduled; coaches new charge nurses.

2. Oversees unit orientation program. Plans clinical experiences for orientation.

3. Serves as a unit steward such as liaison for lab, nutrition, pharmacy, etc.

4. Mentors and coaches other nurses to advance their development and to maintain competencies required for the patient population served.

5. Orients nurses to unit level decision making structure and councils

Professional Development:

1. Serves as an expert preceptor, coach and mentor to new nurses, students and preceptors 

A. Mentors and coaches unit leaders or those assuming leadership roles on councils or major governance

initiatives.

B. Leads unit processes for development of ancillary personnel’s skills and development; leads unit 

based peer review processes. 

2. Actively engaged in advancing own practice; role model for others. 

3. Demonstrates evidence of professional growth and development through at least one of the following:

A. Bachelors of Science in Nursing OR Specialty Certification with enrollment in BSN/higher nursing 

program and expected graduation date within three (3) years. AND

B. Current and active specialty certification, (if BSN/higher degree attained) OR

C. Enrollment in a degree program or certificate program (Baccalaureate or higher, 12 credits or greater) 

within past two years, OR

D. Formal teaching within past two years, OR

E. Board or committee member of a professional association within past two years (not a hospital committee)

1.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.

2. Up-to-date status on all mandatory training and classes. 

3. Bachelors of Science in Nursing OR Specialty Certification with enrollment in BSN/higher nursing program with

expected graduation date within three (3) years.

4. Current BLS certification required. Unit based licensure as required for the role as defined at the unit/department level. (examples include but are not limited to Neonatal Resuscitation Program [NRP], Certification in Pre-Transport/PostResuscitation Stabilization Care of Sick Infants for Neonatal Healthcare Providers [STABLE], Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support [ACLS), Trauma 101, etc.)

5. Relevant clinical work experience related to practice on the unit.

6. Maintenance of 20 contact hours of education every two years. On an annual basis, 10 CE hours are required.

7. Member of a professional organization.