Assistant Nurse Manager - Emergency Department

About Us:

For more than 85 years, Stephens County Hospital has been a trusted cornerstone of our community, committed to excellence in healthcare and compassionate patient service. Our dedicated team of approximately 475 employees is driven by a shared passion for improving lives and recognizes the true value of good health.

Stephens County Hospital is a 96-bed acute care facility located in Toccoa, Georgia, nestled in the scenic foothills of Northeast Georgia. Our welcoming, family-oriented community offers a rich blend of cultural, civic, and outdoor opportunities, making it an exceptional place to live and work.

We are proud members of the Georgia Hospital Association, the American Hospital Association, and the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals. Stephens County Hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission, the nation’s leading healthcare accrediting organization, reflecting our ongoing commitment to quality and safety.

 

Assistant Nurse Manager - Full Time - Exempt Position 

 

The Assistant Nurse Manager is a registered professional nurse who functions as a member of the nursing management team and provides clinical and operational leadership for the assigned department. The Assistant Nurse Manager coordinates the efforts of assigned staff, supervises clinical care, supports patient flow, and promotes safe, efficient, and high-quality patient care. The Assistant Nurse Manager serves as the primary leader in the absence of the Nurse Manager and provides coverage for the Nurse Manager during meetings, vacations, and other periods of absence. A Minimum of 40 hours per week required with 24/7 unit accountability with some weekends and after hours as needed.

 

Education / Experience:

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – minimum requirement

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) – preferred

3–5 years of experience in an acute care setting – required

1–2 years of clinical leadership experience – preferred

Emergency Department experience preferred for positions assigned to the ED

 

Licensure / Certification:

Current Georgia RN license or current compact/multistate RN license

BLS – required

ACLS – required

PALS – preferred; required within 6 months of employment for positions assigned to the Emergency Department

Department specific certifications – preferred

Additional specialty certification appropriate to the area of practice (e.g., CEN, TNCC) – preferred

 

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

  • The Assistant Nurse Manager serves as the primary leader in the absence of the Nurse Manager and provides coverage for the Nurse Manager during meetings, vacations, and other periods of absence. The position is responsible for 24/7 unit accountability and is an exempt position requiring a minimum commitment of 40 hours per week. The Assistant Nurse Manager also functions as a Registered Nurse and may provide direct patient care as needed based on patient acuity, staffing needs, department operations, and organizational requirements. For positions assigned to the Emergency Department, the Assistant Nurse Manager provides additional clinical and operational leadership related to emergency patient flow, triage, staffing, patient assignments, emergency protocols, and the coordination of care in a high-acuity environment.

 

  • Coordinates the efforts of assigned staff and provides leadership in the delivery of patient care.

  • Supervises clinical care provided by nursing and support staff and ensures appropriate delegation and follow-through.

  • Serves as the primary leader in the absence of the Nurse Manager.

  • Covers for the Nurse Manager when he/she attends meetings, is on vacation, or is otherwise unavailable.

  • Serves as Administrator on Duty (AD) in rotation with Nurse Managers following appropriate training.

  • Assists the Nurse Manager with the overall management and daily operations of the department.

  • Assists with developing and implementing department goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.

  • Assists with assessing and adjusting workflow to promote efficient operations and quality patient care.

  • Promotes maximum appropriate use of staff resources and supports appropriate staffing patterns.

  • Participates in staff scheduling and makes appropriate patient care assignments based on patient acuity, staff competency, and department needs.

  • Ensures appropriate staffing coverage for patient care needs, including meals, breaks, admissions, discharges, procedures, and changes in patient volume.

  • Conducts or participates in staff meetings and department huddles as appropriate.

  • Participates in the applicant selection and interview process as requested.

  • Assists with staff evaluations and provides feedback regarding performance and professional development.

  • Assists in identifying staff educational needs and recommends appropriate educational opportunities.

  • Assists with orientation, onboarding, and competency validation of new and existing employees.

  • Assists with counseling employees regarding performance, conduct, attendance, and adherence to organizational standards.

  • Collaborates with the Nurse Manager regarding formal corrective action and disciplinary processes.

  • Demonstrates skill in supervising and supporting staff in the performance of their duties.

  • Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability and may rotate to another shift or department when operational needs require.

Clinical Leadership and Patient Care

  • Performs all duties of a Registered Nurse and provides direct patient care when needed.

  • Assumes responsibility for the completeness and quality of nursing care provided by assigned staff.

  • Assumes charge nurse, team leader, or direct patient care responsibilities as necessary.

  • Demonstrates sound clinical judgment, critical thinking, and the ability to make timely decisions in complex situations.

  • Prioritizes patient care based on acuity, safety, clinical needs, and available resources.

  • Ensures patient care is provided in accordance with hospital policies, departmental standards, regulatory requirements, and National Patient Safety Goals.

  • Demonstrates competency in clinical skills and knowledge appropriate to the assigned area of practice.

  • Ensures appropriate assessment, reassessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care.

  • Identifies changes in patient condition and ensures timely notification of the appropriate healthcare provider.

  • Ensures physician orders are implemented promptly and appropriately.

  • Promotes safe medication administration and compliance with medication safety policies.

  • Ensures appropriate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, responses to treatment, and changes in condition.

  • Promotes appropriate pain management, fall prevention, skin integrity, infection prevention, and other applicable patient safety initiatives.

  • Ensures appropriate use of patient identification, specimen labeling, medication verification, and procedural safety practices.

  • Supports safe management of IV therapy, vascular access, blood products, medications, monitoring equipment, and other clinical treatments within the scope of practice.

  • Ensures appropriate patient preparation and recovery related to procedures, treatments, surgery, and transfers.

  • Promotes patient and family education and involvement in the plan of care.

  • Assists with discharge planning and ensures appropriate patient and family understanding of discharge instructions.

  • Initiates consultation with other healthcare disciplines based on patient needs.

  • Maintains awareness of patient, family, physician, and staff concerns and facilitates appropriate resolution.

Emergency Department-Specific Responsibilities

For positions assigned to the Emergency Department:

  • Supports the Nurse Manager in the overall management and daily operations of the Emergency Department.

  • Assists with coordinating patient flow from triage through discharge, admission, transfer, or other disposition.

  • Demonstrates the ability to prioritize patients based on acuity and established triage criteria.

  • Ensures triage documentation meets established department and regulatory requirements.

  • Responds promptly to triage needs and assists with reassessment of patients awaiting treatment or an available treatment space.

  • Monitors the waiting room and ensures patients awaiting care are reassessed according to department policy.

  • Initiates or oversees approved emergency treatment protocols as appropriate.

  • Makes appropriate patient care assignments based on acuity, staff competency, patient volume, and available resources.

  • Coordinates staffing and workflow in response to changes in Emergency Department volume and patient acuity.

  • Assists with maintaining appropriate coverage during periods of high patient volume or increased acuity.

  • Supports timely coordination of care among physicians, nurses, ancillary departments, EMS, patients, and families.

  • Ensures families are kept appropriately informed regarding patient status while maintaining patient confidentiality.

  • Promotes staff competency in emergency clinical skills, equipment, protocols, and procedures.

  • Assists with evaluation of staff competencies and development of improvement plans when indicated.

  • Maintains competency in emergency equipment and procedures appropriate to the assigned department.

  • Supports the safe care and monitoring of patients requiring high-acuity interventions, including cardiac monitoring, defibrillation, rapid volume administration, procedural sedation, and other emergency interventions within the scope of practice.

  • Supports appropriate use of emergency department policies, protocols, and evidence-based practices.

  • Promotes efficient patient throughput while maintaining patient safety and quality of care.

Quality Improvement and Risk Management

  • Participates in ongoing unit Quality/Process Improvement and Continuous Quality Improvement activities.

  • Assists with identifying quality concerns, patient safety issues, and opportunities for improvement.

  • Coordinates or participates in quality improvement activities as directed by the Nurse Manager.

  • Investigates incidents and assists in determining appropriate follow-up actions.

  • Reports quality, safety, staffing, and operational concerns through the appropriate chain of command.

  • Participates in audits, monitoring activities, quality studies, and performance improvement initiatives.

  • Assists in developing and implementing corrective actions when opportunities for improvement are identified.

  • Promotes compliance with National Patient Safety Goals and organizational safety standards.

Communication and Collaboration

  • Acts as a liaison among physicians, patients, visitors, nurses, ancillary departments, and other members of the healthcare team.

  • Communicates effectively and professionally with patients, families, physicians, leadership, peers, and support staff.

  • Provides concise, pertinent hand-off communication at shift changes and during transfers of care.

marie.culver@stephenscountyhospital.com
marie.culver@stephenscountyhospital.com