Stepping into the Clinical Decision Unit (CDU) at Bethesda North Hospital, you will find a dedicated team that provides thoughtful, high-quality care for adult and geriatric patients, adhering to Medicare guidelines. This 20-bed unit is a hub for patients requiring further diagnostic testing and treatments, including medical, pre/post-surgical, and cardiac interventions. Every moment counts here, as the team focuses on efficient care delivery, seamless teamwork, and close monitoring of each patient’s progress. For nurses joining the CDU, the journey begins with a warm welcome and a comprehensive orientation experience. Your first week includes corporate orientation, followed by personalized one-on-one onboarding with the Nurse Manager or Educator. This ensures every new team member feels supported and ready to start hands-on training with a preceptor. Unit orientation is tailored to individual experience levels, spanning 4-8 weeks of in-depth, competency-based training. Nurses gain expertise through NIHSS certifications, ACLS/BLS training, ECG/telemetry skills, SIM code readiness exercises, and immersive shadowing opportunities. Whether you’re a new graduate or an experienced RN, the CDU fosters professional growth through robust support, teamwork, and continuous learning. The unit operates on a 6-week scheduling cycle, including every third weekend and holiday rotations (A, B, C). Flexible options like weekend programs and PRN/Optional scheduling provide a supportive work-life balance. Nurses and Acute Care Technicians (ACTs) collaborate closely, maintaining patient ratios of 1:5 RN, 1:5 LPN, and 1:10 ACT. This teamwork ensures compassionate, safe, and attentive care for every patient. What makes the CDU truly unique? It's the culture of collaboration, the shared commitment to excellence, and the opportunity to make a difference every day—one patient at a time.
Job Overview:
Under the direction of and in collaboration with the nurse manager, has 24-hour accountability for their area(s) of responsibility. This accountability encompasses: patient care outcomes, service excellence, human resource issues, fiscal management, quality improvement compliance, and communication. Emphasis should be placed on creating a positive environment that fosters professional growth and retention. This environment is supported by the Assistant Nurse Manager (ANM) acting as a role model and as a mentor and coach to the staff.
Job Requirements:
Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
Certification within specialty area within two years of assuming position
Registered Nurse
Membership in related professional organization preferred
2-3 years experience Clinical Nursing or in a related field
1-2 years experience Progressive Leadership Nursing
Job Responsibilities:
Assists in assuring the delivery of quality patient care to achieve desired outcomes. Participates in formulation/revision of unit clinical and administrative practice policies and procedures in accordance with the goals of the organization and nursing d
Acts as a clinical and administrative resource for unit personnel. Plans, organizes, and evaluates the provision of care by collaborating in a collegial manner with physicians and other members of the health team. Maintains ongoing professional developm
Assists in overall nursing operations, which includes annual planning in support of system-wide initiatives. Coordinates and assists as necessary in patient care on designated shifts. Manages nursing unit in absence of nurse manager. Determines equipme
Assists in the overall responsibility to recruit and retain staff: Interviews, hires, and coordinates orientation of staff; Utilizes counseling and progressive discipline as needed. Provides a work environment which is conducive to staff retention. Crea
Assumes responsibility for the development of employees: Develops staff through identification of educational and organizational opportunities in collaboration with nurse educators. Coaches and mentors staff through ongoing performance feedback. Provide
Other Job-Related Information:
Direct Report FTEs = 10-19
The TriHealth Nursing Vision, Mission, and Philosophy speak to professional development, collaboration, and our nursing culture. To achieve excellence in nursing care, TriHealth encourages: pursuit of improved knowledge through continuing education classes, formal education leading to advanced degrees, and the attainment of specialty certification; nurse membership in local, regional, and national nursing organizations related to the appropriate nurse specialty; involvement in activities that better the health of our community; nursing research activities and use of evidence-based practice; all nurses to foster, support, and personally model collaborative relationships amongst nurses, physicians, and other caregivers for the betterment of patient care.
Working Conditions:
Climbing - Rarely
Concentrating - Consistently
Continuous Learning - Consistently
Hearing: Conversation - Consistently
Hearing: Other Sounds - Frequently
Interpersonal Communication - Consistently
Kneeling - Rarely
Lifting <10 Lbs - Consistently
Lifting 50+ Lbs. - Rarely
Lifting <50 Lbs. - Occasionally
Pulling - Rarely
Pushing - Rarely
Reaching - Rarely
Reading - Consistently
Sitting - Consistently
Standing - Rarely
Stooping - Rarely
Talking - Consistently
Thinking/Reasoning - Consistently
Use of Hands - Frequently
Color Vision - Occasionally
Visual Acuity: Far - Frequently
Visual Acuity: Near - Consistently
Walking - Frequently
Leadership Performance Standards
TriHealth leaders create a culture of engagement, safety & reliability and high performance by consistently modeling and utilizing the following TriHealth Way leadership competencies, tactics and ALWAYS Behaviors to drive strategic pillar results:
Achievement of Annual Pillar Goals:
1) Safety/Quality, 2) Service, 3) Growth, 4) Culture/People, 5) Finance
Leadership Competencies:
TriHealth Way of Leading
TriHealth Way of Serving
Transformation Change
Drive for Results
Build Organizational Talent
Leadership Tactics:
Conduct department huddles. Generally, clinical departments hold daily huddles, non-clinical hold weekly huddles.
Regularly Round on Team Members, using questions from the rounding log.
- 25 or fewer team members = monthly
- 26-50 team members = every other month
- 51+ (and optional team members) = quarterly
Lead monthly team meetings using meeting agenda template; review stoplight report; cascade key leadership messages.
Model, coach and validate team members’ use of TriHealth Way behaviors (AIDET + Promise, Always Behaviors and Always HEARD).
Recognize team members for safety wins, positive performance and demonstrating SERVE and ALWAYS behaviors, TriHealth Way of Leading, Serving and Delivering Care.