Clinical Nurse III - Ambulatory Surgery Care Unit​/Post Anesthesia Care Unit; PACU

Under general supervision, incumbents provide care to patients in a structured environment. Clinical Nurse III initiates and performs established nursing interventions utilizing current clinical knowledge and are expected to have the skills and knowledge to assume charge nurse responsibility. Clinical Nurse III applies the theoretical concepts of nursing to clinical practice by performing routine patient care assignments and established nursing policies and procedures in controlled patient care situations.

Clinical Nurse III applicants meet the employment standards by possessing a valid California Registered Nurse license and at least three years of recent acute care experience.

• Analyzes and validates data taken from patient interviews; revises assessments based on observation of patient behaviors.
• Identifies common recurrent patient problems, symptoms, and behavioral changes in relation to standards of care and individual patient needs.
• Assesses the needs of a specific patient population by making purposeful rounds, participating in clinical conferences, and collaborating with physicians and other healthcare team members.
• Assesses the competencies of personnel assigned to a specific patient group.
• Assesses the need for development of standards of care for a specific patient population.
• Assesses the numbers and levels of personnel needed to provide nursing care for a specific patient population.
• Identifies patient care problems, establishes priorities, and develops individual patient care plans based on nursing and medical diagnosis.
• Plans strategies for solving patient care problems with other members of the healthcare team.
• Plans for patient needs within current assignment to determine amount and type of assistance needed.
• Develops a plan for teaching patients and family regarding recurrent health problems, coping mechanisms, and health practices related to maintenance of wellness and prevention of disease.
• Collaborates with appropriate personnel in performing new procedures and/or in functioning in unfamiliar situations.
• Coordinates activities needed to implement the plan of care.
• Coordinates patient and family teaching.
• Coordinates discharge plans with appropriate support personnel.
• Complies with external and internal regulations pertaining to nursing practice.
• Recognizes legal and ethical duties and responsibilities of registered nurses.
• May participate in conducting research activities.
• When assigned charge responsibility, makes recommendations for the unit level staffing pattern and assigns personnel to provide for patient care during an 8-hour period.
• Assists in teaching students and staff.
• May assume role of primary nurse with accountability to specific assigned patients.
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

All applicants must possess an active California Registered Nurse License without restrictions and meet the following requirements:

• Three (3) years of full‑time Registered Nurse (RN) experience, with at least one (1) year within the last three (3) years, in an accredited hospital, clinic, or healthcare setting.
• One (1) year of full‑time RN experience within the last three (3) years in the nursing specialty area.
• Possession of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a nationally recognized certification in a specialty area is preferred.

• Must possess and maintain Basic Life Saving Certification (BLS) during employment.
• For clinical specialty areas, must possess and maintain Advance Cardiovascular Life Saving Certification (ACLS) during employment.
• Other identified specialty area certifications as required.
• Ability to travel to alternate locations; possession of a valid California driver’s license and ability to obtain County driver authorization.
• All County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSW). Must complete required DSW training and be available during emergencies.

• California Nurse Practice Act
• American Nursing Association Code of Ethics
• Nursing Professional Practice Model
• Federal and State healthcare laws and regulations applicable to California hospitals
• Cur…