White Plains Hospital
Unit Leader
Job Code: 300222
Department/Location: Department Specific
FLSA Status: Non‑exempt
Reports to: Nurse Manager / Assistant Nurse Manager
Position Summary The Unit Leader plays a key role in supporting bedside nurses to provide safe patient care and to achieve organizational, departmental, and individual goals. Working in collaboration with the Nurse Manager, the Unit Leader incorporates leadership and communication skills to be an effective change agent on the unit. Acting as a liaison between management, staff, physicians, patients and families, ancillary staff, and other departments, the Unit Leader leads by example and holds staff accountable to provide safe patient care and a high level of patient satisfaction.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
Understands and adheres to the WPH Performance Standards, Policies and Behaviors
Ensures quality, safe patient care and clinical services are rendered in accordance with established hospital, regulatory agency, and nursing evidence‑based standards
Acts as a positive role model for the nursing profession, demonstrating coaching, mentoring, problem‑solving, and serving as a resource person for staff and peers on all shifts
Identifies, develops, implements, and monitors unit‑based quality and Performance Improvement initiatives to provide quantifiable evidence of progression toward unit‑based goals
Provides flexibility with scheduling in accordance with the Nurse Manager and Assistant Nurse Manager to lead clinical units or meet unit‑based needs
Adheres to the unit‑based budget and provides nursing staff and resources in accordance with budgetary guidelines
Collaborates with physicians and other members of the health care team to assure delivery of optimum, age‑appropriate patient care
Identifies and implements nursing evidence‑based and/or best practices to develop Nursing Standards and protocols for the delivery of optimum patient care
Participates clinically in patient care and accepts patient care assignments as required for the delivery of safe, optimum patient care
Ensures unit‑based professional and non‑professional staff participate in continuing education activities, nursing shared governance, maintenance of organization‑required annual competencies, and adherence to organizational policies and procedures
Participates in task forces, committees, or projects as assigned
Maintains a continuous safe patient care and work environment in accordance with requirements of accrediting and regulatory agencies
Participates in interdisciplinary collaboration based on theoretical concepts of team building and participation, providing quantifiable evidence and exemplars of the collaboration’s success
Demonstrates mastery of customer service skills, including patient rounding and monitoring outcomes through successful and maintained patient satisfaction scores that surpass nationally benchmarked scores
Identifies and creates action plans with quantifiable measurement and outcomes to correct deficiencies in patient and nursing satisfaction
Acts as a positive change agent on the unit and supports all organization‑based initiatives and projects
Performs all other related duties as assigned
Education & Experience Requirements
Current NY State License
BSN (or MSN) required
Knowledge of current nursing, medical and health trends and practices in rendering of patient care
One year of RN experience in the area of specialty or practice preferred
BCLS certification required
ACLS certification required for all RNs, except for NICU & Operating Room RNs. All newly hired, inexperienced nurses must receive this certification within 12 months. All newly hired, experienced nurses must receive this certification within 6 months
PALS certification required for all RNs working in the PACU, 5I Pediatrics, Emergency Department, Armonk Urgent Care, Ambulatory Surgery and 226 Ambulatory Surgery Center. All newly hired, inexperienced nurses must receive this certification within 12 months. All newly hired, experienced nurses must receive this certification within 6 months
NRP certification required for all RNs working in the Mother‑Baby unit, Labor & Delivery and NICU. All newly hired nurses to the NICU, L&D and the Mother‑Baby unit must receive this certification within 6 months
Demonstrates a basic knowledge of management skills
Previous management/leadership experience preferred
Two years previous clinical experience in area of unit concentration preferred
Ability to function as staff RN
Demonstrates excellence in clinical skills
Core Competencies
Teamwork & Adaptability
Acts as a Professional Role Model
Assessment Skills
Excellent Communication Skills (both verbal and written)
Attention to Detail
Planning & Organizing
Sound Problem‑Solving, Judgment and Decision‑Making Skills
Stress Tolerance
Physical/Mental Demands & Work Environment
May be exposed to chemicals necessary to perform required tasks. Any hazardous chemicals the employee may be exposed to are listed in the hospital’s SDS (Safety Data Sheet) database and accessed through the hospital’s Intranet site (Employee Tools/SDS Access). A copy of the SDS database can also be found at the hospital switchboard, saved on a disc.
Position requires ability to move about freely at least 85 % of the time.
Must be able to remain stationary for extended periods.
Frequently moves/transports objects up to 50 pounds and must be able to move patients of all weights with a minimum of one assistance device or assistive equipment.
Must be able to work in an environment with continuous interruptions.
Must be able to assess and respond to rapidly changing situational needs of patients, department and hospital.
Must be able to adapt in a high‑stress and fast‑paced environment with multiple interruptions.
Must be able to detect sounds and respond to emergency sounds/signals at all times.
Must be able to constantly operate computer, equipment and other devices.
Position requires ability to concentrate on fine detail with interruptions and attend to tasks for more than 60 minutes at a time.
Individual must be able to understand and relate to theories behind several related concepts and remember multiple tasks given during the course of a day.
Primary Population Served
Neonatal (birth – 28 days)
Infant (29 days – less than 1 year)
Pediatric (1 – 12 years)
Adolescent (13 – 17 years)
Adult (18 – 64 years)
Geriatric (> 65 years)
Bariatric patients with weight‑related comorbidities
Non‑patient care population
The responsibilities and tasks outlined in this job description are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of White Plains Hospital. Salary Range: $117,695–$152,756 (based on full‑time hours)
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Department/Location: Department Specific
FLSA Status: Non‑exempt
Reports to: Nurse Manager / Assistant Nurse Manager
Position Summary The Unit Leader plays a key role in supporting bedside nurses to provide safe patient care and to achieve organizational, departmental, and individual goals. Working in collaboration with the Nurse Manager, the Unit Leader incorporates leadership and communication skills to be an effective change agent on the unit. Acting as a liaison between management, staff, physicians, patients and families, ancillary staff, and other departments, the Unit Leader leads by example and holds staff accountable to provide safe patient care and a high level of patient satisfaction.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
Understands and adheres to the WPH Performance Standards, Policies and Behaviors
Ensures quality, safe patient care and clinical services are rendered in accordance with established hospital, regulatory agency, and nursing evidence‑based standards
Acts as a positive role model for the nursing profession, demonstrating coaching, mentoring, problem‑solving, and serving as a resource person for staff and peers on all shifts
Identifies, develops, implements, and monitors unit‑based quality and Performance Improvement initiatives to provide quantifiable evidence of progression toward unit‑based goals
Provides flexibility with scheduling in accordance with the Nurse Manager and Assistant Nurse Manager to lead clinical units or meet unit‑based needs
Adheres to the unit‑based budget and provides nursing staff and resources in accordance with budgetary guidelines
Collaborates with physicians and other members of the health care team to assure delivery of optimum, age‑appropriate patient care
Identifies and implements nursing evidence‑based and/or best practices to develop Nursing Standards and protocols for the delivery of optimum patient care
Participates clinically in patient care and accepts patient care assignments as required for the delivery of safe, optimum patient care
Ensures unit‑based professional and non‑professional staff participate in continuing education activities, nursing shared governance, maintenance of organization‑required annual competencies, and adherence to organizational policies and procedures
Participates in task forces, committees, or projects as assigned
Maintains a continuous safe patient care and work environment in accordance with requirements of accrediting and regulatory agencies
Participates in interdisciplinary collaboration based on theoretical concepts of team building and participation, providing quantifiable evidence and exemplars of the collaboration’s success
Demonstrates mastery of customer service skills, including patient rounding and monitoring outcomes through successful and maintained patient satisfaction scores that surpass nationally benchmarked scores
Identifies and creates action plans with quantifiable measurement and outcomes to correct deficiencies in patient and nursing satisfaction
Acts as a positive change agent on the unit and supports all organization‑based initiatives and projects
Performs all other related duties as assigned
Education & Experience Requirements
Current NY State License
BSN (or MSN) required
Knowledge of current nursing, medical and health trends and practices in rendering of patient care
One year of RN experience in the area of specialty or practice preferred
BCLS certification required
ACLS certification required for all RNs, except for NICU & Operating Room RNs. All newly hired, inexperienced nurses must receive this certification within 12 months. All newly hired, experienced nurses must receive this certification within 6 months
PALS certification required for all RNs working in the PACU, 5I Pediatrics, Emergency Department, Armonk Urgent Care, Ambulatory Surgery and 226 Ambulatory Surgery Center. All newly hired, inexperienced nurses must receive this certification within 12 months. All newly hired, experienced nurses must receive this certification within 6 months
NRP certification required for all RNs working in the Mother‑Baby unit, Labor & Delivery and NICU. All newly hired nurses to the NICU, L&D and the Mother‑Baby unit must receive this certification within 6 months
Demonstrates a basic knowledge of management skills
Previous management/leadership experience preferred
Two years previous clinical experience in area of unit concentration preferred
Ability to function as staff RN
Demonstrates excellence in clinical skills
Core Competencies
Teamwork & Adaptability
Acts as a Professional Role Model
Assessment Skills
Excellent Communication Skills (both verbal and written)
Attention to Detail
Planning & Organizing
Sound Problem‑Solving, Judgment and Decision‑Making Skills
Stress Tolerance
Physical/Mental Demands & Work Environment
May be exposed to chemicals necessary to perform required tasks. Any hazardous chemicals the employee may be exposed to are listed in the hospital’s SDS (Safety Data Sheet) database and accessed through the hospital’s Intranet site (Employee Tools/SDS Access). A copy of the SDS database can also be found at the hospital switchboard, saved on a disc.
Position requires ability to move about freely at least 85 % of the time.
Must be able to remain stationary for extended periods.
Frequently moves/transports objects up to 50 pounds and must be able to move patients of all weights with a minimum of one assistance device or assistive equipment.
Must be able to work in an environment with continuous interruptions.
Must be able to assess and respond to rapidly changing situational needs of patients, department and hospital.
Must be able to adapt in a high‑stress and fast‑paced environment with multiple interruptions.
Must be able to detect sounds and respond to emergency sounds/signals at all times.
Must be able to constantly operate computer, equipment and other devices.
Position requires ability to concentrate on fine detail with interruptions and attend to tasks for more than 60 minutes at a time.
Individual must be able to understand and relate to theories behind several related concepts and remember multiple tasks given during the course of a day.
Primary Population Served
Neonatal (birth – 28 days)
Infant (29 days – less than 1 year)
Pediatric (1 – 12 years)
Adolescent (13 – 17 years)
Adult (18 – 64 years)
Geriatric (> 65 years)
Bariatric patients with weight‑related comorbidities
Non‑patient care population
The responsibilities and tasks outlined in this job description are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of White Plains Hospital. Salary Range: $117,695–$152,756 (based on full‑time hours)
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