Career Advancement
Career Advancement
Opportunities are available for career-long practice at Strong Memorial Hospital.
The Career Advancement System (CAS), previously known as the Clinical Advancement System, has been in place since the 1980s and was developed through the work of a Steering Committee and an Advisory Committee composed of staff nurses, nurse managers and other nursing leaders. CAS provides a variety of options for nurses as they progress and seek advanced professional or leadership roles.
CAS is a dynamic system responsive to changes in the health care delivery system and the nursing profession and is oriented toward the future. The system includes 6 levels of practice from novice nurses (Level 1) to advanced practice nurses (Level 6). This career ladder provides opportunities for all RNs to expand and grow their nursing practice at Strong Memorial Hospital.
All positions require an active New York State license in good standing.
RN Levels
The Level I Registered Nurse, under the direction of the Nurse Manager, is accountable for provision of direct care to assigned patients. The Level I Registered Nurse contributes to unit activities and supports enhancement of the care delivery system at the unit level. The Level I Registered Nurse supports peers in the delivery of patient care services.
The Level II Registered Nurse, under the direction of the Nurse Manager, is accountable for provision of competent patient care based on established standards. The Level II Registered Nurse assumes an expanded role, which may include charge nurse, preceptor, and committee member responsibilities.
The Level III Registered Nurse is accountable for the provision of expert patient care including service to patients with complex needs. The level III nurse has increased responsibilities that may include staff orientation, patient care coordination, or other unit/service activities. The level III nurse participates in formal and informal educational activities that support evidenced based care and outcomes.
The Senior Level III Mentor Nurse is accountable for the provision of expert patient care, including service to patients with complex needs. The Senior Level III serves as a unit staff mentor and has increased responsibilities that may include staff orientation, patient care coordination and or other unit/service/nursing practice activities. The Senior Level III nurse identifies learning needs of others and patient safety issues, and develops an appropriate plan of action based on best practices.
The Assistant Nurse Manager/Clinical Resource Nurse is accountable for supporting standards of care and providing consultation and expertise in the delivery of patient care. The Assistant Nurse Manager/Clinical Resource Nurse is involved in activities at the service, nursing practice and institutional level, and contributes to goal achievement through personal action and the facilitation of others. He/she participates in community and professional organizations, demonstrating commitment to the promotion of nursing’s visibility and future. The Assistant Nurse Manager/Clinical Resource Nurse provides expert patient care, serves as a resource, consults as requested, and communicates effectively within the unit and service. He/she also participates in the management of human resources, the development and evaluation of recruitment and retention strategies, and the monitoring of patient outcomes. The focus of the Assistant Nurse Manager/Clinical Resource Nurse’s responsibilities reflects the expectations for appointment at unit, program, or service level.
All positions require a Diploma, Associate or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited Nursing Program and an active New York State RN license in good standing.
Advance Practice Nursing Levels
Clinical
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) works in a collaborative relationship with a physician provider to oversee the care delivered to a patient population. The NP is responsible for direct patient care, documentation of care delivered, adherence to hospital and nursing policies, procedures and practice standards, education of patients and staff, assurance of service excellence, completion of state and hospital-required reviews of practice, and participation in performance improvement and other activities as required.
The Senior Nurse Practitioner (NP) works in a collaborative relationship with a physician provider to oversee the care delivered to a patient population or program of services. The Senior NP is responsible for direct patient care, documentation of care delivered, adherence to hospital and nursing policies, procedures and practice standards, education of patients and staff, assurance of service excellence, completion of state and hospital-required reviews of practice, and participation in performance improvement and other activities as required. Additional responsibilities are negotiated according to area of expertise and hospital need.
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) provides expert clinical services that are focused on the assurance of excellence in practice, the adherence to hospital and nursing policies, procedures and practice standards, and the development of staff and team relationships within a program or unit. The CNS may have accountability for expert management and consultation for a given patient population. CNS responsibilities may include direct patient care, documentation of care delivered, education of patients and staff, assurance of service excellence, and participation in performance improvement and other activities as required.
The Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) provides expert clinical services that are focused on the assurance of excellence in practice, the adherence to hospital and nursing policies, procedures and practice standards, and the development of staff and team relationships within a program or unit. The Senior CNS may have accountability for expert management and consultation for a given patient population. Senior CNS responsibilities may include direct patient care, documentation of care delivered, education of patients and staff, assurance of service excellence, and participation in performance improvement and other activities as required. Additional responsibilities are negotiated according to area of expertise and hospital need.
Management
The Nurse Manager maintains 24-hour-a-day accountability for all patients and nursing activities on assigned unit. The Nurse Manager oversees and directs unit activities, including standards development, implementation and management, human resource management, assessment and monitoring of resource needs and utilization, staff professional development, unit-based research and performance improvement, new program development and implementation, and communication within nursing practice and across disciplines and departments. The Nurse Manager represents the unit and service on committees at all levels within the institution.
The Senior Nurse Manager is responsible for management oversight of more than one area and serves as a resource for nurse managers and others in the Department of Nursing. The Senior Nurse Manager participates in service or departmental level program planning and assessment and allocation of resources. The Senior Nurse Manager also oversees and directs unit or department-level activities, including standards development, implementation and monitoring, human resource management, assessment and monitoring of resource needs and utilization, staff professional development, unit-based research and performance improvement, new program development, and communication within nursing practice and across disciplines and departments. The Senior Nurse Manager represents the unit and service on committees at all levels within the institution.