Team Lead Nurse-PICU-40hr

Connecticut Children's; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A children's health system in Hartford is looking for a dedicated nurse to join the PICU team. The role involves coordinating day-to-day operations, providing direct patient care, and mentoring staff. Candidates should have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minimum of two years of pediatric experience, including PICU. Key responsibilities also include demonstrating clinical expertise and leading quality improvement initiatives. This position requires effective communication and collaboration skills to ensure high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of pediatric nursing experience required.
• PICU experience is necessary.
• Current State of Connecticut Registered Licensure is required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily activities in PICU.
• Provide direct patient care as needed.
• Mentor staff and resolve patient/family conflicts.

Skills

Clinical expertise

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Cultural sensitivity

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Pediatric experience (minimum two years)

PICU experience

Tools

Basic Life Support (BLS)

PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)

Job description

In conjunction with the Nurse Manager, assists in coordinating the day-to-day activities and operations of the PICU. Collaborates with patients, families, peers, physicians and other members of the healthcare team in the delivery of quality patient care. Provides direct care to patients as required. Assumes resource nurse role when working. Provides off‑shift visibility and coverage. Reports to the Nurse Manager.

Responsibilities

Clinical Practice/Quality and Patient Safety

• Frequently takes patient assignment. When caring for patients, demonstrates clinical expertise and uses the nursing process to provide safe, appropriate patient care to a defined patient population according to Connecticut Children’s and unit policies and standards.
• Exemplifies leadership skills and is recognized as an expert by peers and others.
• Applies expertise in helping peers with complex patient issues, and develops strategies to support staff in caring for a new patient type.
• Demonstrates commitment to continuous quality improvement. Leads change processes by coordinating quality improvement activities in the PICU.
• Identifies clinical issues and promotes quality improvement activities.
• Demonstrates effective communication and collaboration skills with all members of the health care team.
• Holds self and team accountable for quality outcomes and continuous quality improvement.
• Understands and takes into consideration both departmental and organizational staffing resource needs, and appropriately allocates/assigns staffing resources based upon those needs.

Customer Satisfaction

• Demonstrates commitment to customer service. Works with the Nurse Manager and Patient Advocates with patient/family issues requiring service recovery.
• Mentors staff to handle conflicts and resolve issues independently.
• Supports the organizational efforts toward patient/family education.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the differences and needs of patients in appropriate, specific populations from neonate to young adult and applies them to practice.
• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients/families.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Functions as role model, demonstrating core behaviors with all interactions and provides feedback to clinical staff.
• Facilitates teamwork and cooperation among staff.
• Participates in hiring and onboarding of new staff.
• In conjunction with the Nurse Manager, participates in all phases of the performance management process (check‑ins, ongoing feedback/coaching, appraisals and orientation) for assigned staff.
• Partners with Nurse Manager to facilitate monthly staff meetings.
• Ensures necessary information is effectively communicated to all members of the team.
• Effectively follows up and resolves routine employee relations issues, seeking support from Nurse Manager and Human Resources for more complex issues.
• Promotes development of innovative approaches to improve patient care.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience Required

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, minimum of two years of pediatric experience.

Position Specific Job Education And/or Experience

• PICU experience required.

Licenses and/or Certifications Required

• Current State of Connecticut Registered Licensure is required and maintained thereafter.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR in adult, child and infant required upon hire.
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) within one year of hire and maintained thereafter.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

Knowledge of

• Nursing and Institutional Strategic Plan.
• Day-to-day needs of patients on PICU, including ECMO, CRRT and cardiac patients.
• Accreditation and certification requirements and standards.
• Medical equipment as it relates to patient care on the units.

Skills

Communication and Influence

• Advocate on behalf of CT Children’s.
• Actively listen to ideas of others.
• Present complex information in a clear and compelling way (verbally and written).
• Ensure staff are provided with appropriate information about issues that may impact them.
• Effectively gain commitment from others.

Ability to

• Work assigned off-shifts, including weekends, evenings, nights, and holidays as needed.
• Provide expert nursing care and consultation to patient/families; demonstrate clinical competencies with specialty areas; and assess the competencies of others.
• Demonstrate all CT Children’s Leadership Competencies.
• Supervise and train employees, foster employee development and performance management.
• Act in a professional capacity and serve as a professional role model.
• Lead change, including encouraging innovation, and employing strategies to overcome resistance to change.
• Build a high‑performing team by coaching team members and holding others accountable.
• Foster teamwork and collaboration. Partner with colleagues to accomplish common goals, constructively raise concerns, and use problem‑solving approaches to identify solutions.
• Demonstrate personal leadership by treating others with respect, admitting mistakes, taking responsibilities for actions and decisions, and modeling integrity in an ethical manner.

About Us

Connecticut Children’s is the only health system in Connecticut that is 100% dedicated to children. Established on a legacy that spans more than 100 years, Connecticut Children’s offers personalized medical care in more than 30 pediatric specialties across Connecticut and in two other states. Our transformational growth establishes us as a destination for specialized medicine and enables us to reach more children in locations that are closer to home. Our breakthrough research, superior education and training, innovative community partnerships, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion provide a welcoming and inspiring environment for our patients, families and team members.
At Connecticut Children’s, treating children isn’t just our job – it’s our passion. As a leading children’s health system experiencing steady growth, we’re excited to expand our team with exceptional team members who share our vision of transforming children’s health and well‑being as one team.