Registered Nurse-Float Pool

Registered Nurse-Float Pool

JOB TITLE: Registered Nurse – Float Pool

DEPARTMENT: Nursing

REPORTS TO: CNO

POSITION SUMMARY

The Registered Nurse – Float Pool will provide nursing care to wide variety of patients within Caldwell Medical Center. During every shift, the Registered Nurse – Float Pool will be a member of a nursing team that provides direct nursing care to a specific unit within the hospital. It is quite conceivable that a Registered Nurse – Float Pool may start their shift in one unit and then based on a change in census and acuity be transferred or moved to a different unit to meet operational requirements. However, it is possible that a Registered Nurse – Float Pool may spend extended periods of time in one nursing unit to help balance off long-term absences (i.e. illness, holidays, maternity leave, etc.). While working within a nursing unit the Registered Nurse – Float Pool acts as a patient advocate and facilitates communication between the patient, family and other health care professionals. This will result in a holistic approach to planning, organizing, teaching and relationship development that will best meet the needs of the patient. 

Based on patient census and acuity throughout Caldwell Medical Center, the incumbent may be required to provide standardized nursing care to any and/or all of the nursing units within the scope of a RNs practice. This scope includes medical-surgical, telemetry and acute care (i.e.

emergency department). 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

▪ Comprehensive knowledge and understanding (as outlined in clinical competencies review) of: 

                        ▫     Age-specific care of patients. 

                        ▫     Understanding of family dynamics and appropriate interaction. 

                        ▫     Clinical competencies in abnormal lab or test values, medications and interactions. 

▪ In addition, the Registered Nurse – Float Pool must be able to acquire within a reasonable time frame and   

   remain current with the following training appropriate to their areas of specialty which include but are not  

   limited to:

                        ▫     Emergency drugs

                        ▫     IV therapy

                        ▫     Electrical Defibrillation

                        ▫     Cardiac Monitoring

                        ▫     ECG

                        ▫      Hemodynamic Monitoring

▪ Demonstrates an aptitude and willingness to learn new responsibilities

▪ Excellent verbal and written communication skills

▪ Excellent organization, interpersonal, and customer service skills

▪ Ability to work independently, make decisions, meet deadlines, multi-task and solve problems; working

   under a moderate to high degree of pressure

▪ Experience with a hospital-based computer system

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The Registered Nurse – Float Pool provides direct nursing care to a wide variety of patients requiring continuous 24-hour medical and nursing treatment using a problem-solving approach and in accordance with the standards, guidelines and scope of professional nursing practice to facilitate individualized nursing care to patients within Caldwell Medical Center.

The Registered Nurse – Float Pool will:

▪     Assess, plan implement, document and evaluate care to ensure a coordinated holistic approach which best meets the needs of the patient.

▪     Assist patients to achieve their optimum level of health in situations of normal health, illness injury or through the process of dying

        ▪     Advocate the dignity and self-respect of patients

▪     Promote the autonomy of patient and help them to express their health needs and values to obtain appropriative information and services

▪     Safeguard the trust of patients that information learned in the context of a professional relationship is shared outside the health care team only with the patient’s permission or as legally required

▪     Apply and promote principles of equity and fairness to assist patients in receiving unbiased treatment and a share of health services and resources proportionate to their needs

▪     Act in a manner consistent with their professional code of ethics, responsibilities and standards of practice

1. The Registered Nurse – Float Pool facilitates, implements and modifies patient and family education/ teaching based on the needs of the patient.

The Registered Nurse – Float Pool will:

▪     Use a holistic approach to facilitate individual learning of patients and their families upon admission and transfer or discharge in relation to patient illness or injury (i.e.  self-care, health promotion, etc.)

▪     Assess the patient for physical and psychological needs, their knowledge of their health, disease process and learning needs

▪     Research, develop, revise and evaluation an ongoing basis, educational resources necessary to support patients 

▪     Coordinate the admission and transfer or discharge of patients. This includes explaining and ensuring that the patient understands the admission or discharge plan established by the health care team for the patients care and treatment.

1. The Registered Nurse – Float Pool assumes accountability for the standard of care delivered toward determining and achieving patient care goals.

The Registered Nurse – Float Pool will:

        ▪     Make decisions necessary to promote change and ultimate outcome of goal attainment

▪     Communicate with other members of the health care team regarding the patient’s health care to provide continuity of care and promote collaborative efforts directed toward quality patient care

       ▪ Take a role in disaster responses within the unit they are assigned to

        ▪     Direct and supervise the functions of others who are providing direct care and support

(certified nurse assistance, etc.)

1. Registered Nurse – Float Pool advocates for practice environments to have the organizational and resource allocations necessary for safe, competent and ethical nursing care.

The Registered Nurse – Float Pool will:

▪     Collaborate with nursing colleagues and other members of the health care team to advocate health care environments that are conducive to ethical practice and to the health and wellbeing of patients, clients and others in the setting

        ▪     Orient new employees to unit specific programs

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

 MINIMUM EDUCATION

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with current licensure with the State Board of Nurse Examiners. License must be in good standing. 

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

2-year minimum RN staff experience in medical/surgical, telemetry environment or emergency department.  

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

Experience in three or more different nursing units (i.e. ICU, medicine, surgery, emergency) is preferred. 

License and Certification

• Basic Life Support (BLS) Required
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Required
• Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS) Required

Qualifications