Description

This position normally works three 12-hour night shifts per week on the Med-Surg Unit. 

Requirements

POSITION SUMMARY:  

The Registered Nurse under Administrative direction assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates delivery of patient care.  Provides administrative direction to development and evaluation of Nursing personnel; maintains operational aspects of patient care in collaboration with administrative support services.  Further, contributes to Nursing and the Hospital through support of philosophy and objectives, educational and research efforts.

Experience and Education:

Minimum:   Graduated from an accredited School of Nursing

Minimum:   Varied clinical experiences if new graduate of nursing; Associate Degree Nursing, Diploma    

                     or Bachelors of Science in Nursing.                                       

Preferred:  One year of acute hospital nursing

·        Current license as a Registered Nurse; Basic Life Support (BLS) within the first 90 days of

                employment.

·        Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification within the first 6 months of employment

Summary

•        Is flexible and responsive to the staffing needs of unit.

•        Promotes teamwork/unit cohesiveness through appropriate behavior.

•        Seeks to advance and develop professional skills and knowledge.

•        Works carefully and precisely without creating unnecessary errors

•        Pays close attention to details

•        Completes necessary documents according to Hospital and departmental policy

•        Evaluates and follows-up on services provided

•        Provides necessary services to those customers with whom the hospital serves

•        Displays sensitivity to needs of customers. Supplies customers with emotional as well as technical clinical support.

•        Displays polite behavior to customers.  Demonstrates positive relations in dealing with customers.

•        Speaks in a positive, professional manner about customers and the hospital

•        Responds promptly to customers’ requests and needs in a timely fashion.

•        Displays good organizational skills and utilizes time wisely

•        Maintains a neat and orderly work environment

•        Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner

•        Seeks additional work upon completion of assignments

•        Willingly shares information and resources with co-workers

•        Takes the time to explain and exchange information with customers

•        Maintains composure under stress and continues to work effectively

•        Demonstrates positive relations in dealing with customers.

•        Promotes teamwork by working with other employees and departments to coordinate services

•        Assesses each situation before taking action

•        Seeks assistance/guidance when necessary

Hours and Schedule:

Three 12-hour shifts per week or Six per pay-period; set schedule is repeated every 2 weeks and scheduled by staffing coordinator. 

Responsibilities:

·        Charges/documents use of supplies/equipment and medication according to procedures.

·        Charting and documentation is performed in a timely manner, accurate with all appropriate patient information for billing.

·        Ensures proper use and care of supplies/equipment.

·        Uses supplies appropriately and judiciously.

·        Assists with orientation of new employees.

·        Evaluates skills of personnel and makes patient assignments in accordance with employee’s capabilities.

·        Recognizes own limitations; seeks resources and consultations

·        Identifies factors contributing to quality patient care and helps identify methods for improving the quality of care through corrective action.

·        Does unit and chart audits as assigned.

·        Assesses each patient in a systematic method by reviewing each body system as appropriate for the patient; using appropriate tools (i.e., auscultation, palpation, etc.)

·        Documents assessment findings of initial assessment upon admission and as the patient’s condition warrants

·        Identifies patient problems utilizing assessment data.

·        Documents ongoing assessments and validation of patient response to nursing and medical intervention.

·        Appropriate knowledge and application of growth and development as relates to age group to which services are provided. Could include newborn, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric.

·        Completes a plan of care of assigned patients within 24 hours of admission based upon the patient’s physical, psychological/social, age specific, educational, and safety needs; incorporating discharge planning.

·        Assists with developing plan of care in collaboration with the patient/significant other

·        Prioritizes the nursing care plan with sensitivity to patient needs

·        Delivers patient care according to updated Nursing Care Plan

·        Maintains accurate record of nursing observations and care; to include the patient’s response to treatments, medication and prescribed activity, the patient’s intake and output, vital signs and general condition

·        Maintains accurate records of administration of medications

·        Charting is legible, using correct spelling of medical terminology, with records signed appropriately

·        Recognizes teaching and learning needs of the patient and family and develops a teaching/learning plan to meet these needs; including medications, disease process, diet, activity, treatments and referral agencies available.

·        Does or arranges for patient/family teaching and documents on Education Care Activity

·        Evaluates effectiveness of teaching/learning plan and updates it as indicated

·        Keeps patient/family informed of ongoing treatments and procedures. Ensures continuing communication

·        Does discharge instructions as per physician order and/or nursing judgment; including diet, activity, medications, appointment times, wound care and any other specific instructions pertaining to the individual patient

·        Accurately administers medications by appropriate route as ordered within standard time limits.

·        Administers IV therapy

·        Maintains accurate documentation of controlled substances

·        Shares responsibilities for general care of patients, to include promoting personal hygiene, positioning the patient for comfort and good body alignment, assisting the patient with prescribed activities, and administering prescribed medications and treatments.

·        Does procedures as indicated for the Med/Surg patients

·        Has knowledge of patient’s condition at all times and keeps LPN team members, physicians and supervisor/nurse manager accurately informed

·        Performs BLS and ACLS procedures accurately and maintains current certification

·        Completes competency of lift usage and restraints.

·        Meets Med/Surg specific annual competencies

·        Is aware of patient/family need for reassurance and provides for maximum emotional and spiritual support

·        Considers patient’s needs and individual relationships when making decisions regarding patient placement

·        Interprets and reinforces the care and philosophy of the Med/Surg/CCU/Tele units to the patient and family

·        Performs other duties as requested.

ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT

WITH BCMH STANDARDS

Physical Activity:

·        Must be able to see patients well enough to determine skin color, facial expressions and to read monitors and chart information.  

·        Must be able to hear sufficiently to carry on conversation with patient at distances of 30 feet and when not in direct eye contact with the patient (i.e., behind dividing curtain in room).  

·        Must be able to hear well enough to talk on telephone, answer intercom, and determine emergency call signals. 

·        Must be able to speak and communicate in English with patients, families, and staff. 

·        Must have touch sensation to determine skin temperature and temperature of liquids to prevent burn injuries to patients. 

·        May require being on feet majority of shift; standing, stooping, bending, reaching.

Lifting Requirements:

·        Minimum lifting:   5 lbs.

·        Maximum lifting:  75lbs. to move

Working Conditions:

·        Adequate heating, cooling and ventilation, and work space to perform duties

Hazards and Risks:

·        Varies depending on area working. 

·        Subjected to health (communicable and infectious diseases, contaminates from equipment processed, body fluids and tissues) and safety risks (contact with violent and combative patients, burns from sterilizers, hazardous materials, electrical hazards from equipment, anesthetic agents).