Nursing RN

JOB SUMMARY: Provides professional nursing care within the Emergency Department; coordinates care planning with other disciplines. Provides direct and indirect patient care in the emergency care setting. Provides care that reflects initiative, flexibility and responsibility indicative of professional expectation with a minimum of supervision. Is able to triage safely, rapidly and accurately, every patient that enters the emergency care system. Determines priorities of care based on physical and psychosocial needs, as well as factors influencing patient flow through the system. Communicates with Emergency Department physicians about changes in patient's status, symptomatology and results of diagnostic studies. Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment. OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Class I.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Provides direct patient care, evaluates outcomes, consults with other specialists as required and adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care

B. Ability to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy. This includes neonatal, pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients and the general patient population.

C. Assesses, plans, implements and educates patient/family on appropriate pain management.

D. Ability to monitor hemodynamic status of patient and correctly interpret the results.

E. Demonstrates knowledge of cardiac monitoring, identifies dysrhythmias and treats appropriately.

F. Accurately assigns triage categories.

G. Maintains accurate and continued nursing documentation including patient histories, conditions, treatments, responses, pain management and assessment of changes.

H. Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and family. Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians and other healthcare providers.

I. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patients served. Able to interpret data about the patients status in order to identify each patients age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group.

J. Interacts professionally with patient and family and involves patient and family in the formation of the plan of care.

K. Formulates a teaching plan based on identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning; includes family in teaching, as appropriate.

L. Maintains current knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and his/her clinical condition.

M. Prepares, hangs, monitors and discontinues IV fluids and blood/blood components.

N. Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, performance improvement program, safety, environmental and infection control standards.

O. Maintains a safe, comfortable and therapeutic environment for patients and families in accordance with Hospital standards.

P. Assists in cost containment through the appropriate ordering and conserving of supplies and equipment.

Q. Cooperates with other personnel to achieve departmental objectives; maintains good employee relations and interdepartmental objectives.

R. Responds promptly to changes in workload, adjusting assignments as necessary to achieve optimal productivity and efficiency.

S. Provides resource information to other staff.

T. Demonstrates the ability to assist physicians with procedures in the Emergency Department.

U. Supervises temporary employees and employees who do not supervise; allocates and monitors work of others; leads one or more employees performing similar work.

V. Orients new employees to the Emergency Department.

W. Assists the Emergency Department Nurse Manager in the development, implementation and evaluation of performance improvement indicators to improve patient outcomes and the work environment.

X. Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, inservice meetings and workshops; shows responsibility for own professional practice and ongoing education.

Y. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.

B. Completes annual education requirements.

C. Maintains regulatory requirements.

D. Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.

E. Reports to work on time and as scheduled.

F. Wears identification while on duty; used computerized punch time system correctly.

G. Attends annual review and department inservices, as scheduled.

H. Attends at least 95% of staff meetings annually; reads and returns all monthly staff meeting minutes.

I. Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner in the community.

J. Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments and staff.

K. Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.

L. Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.

M. Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the facility, as well as the focus statement of the department.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT REQUIREMENTS

• Maintains confidentiality while working with confidential matters on a daily basis.

B. Provides service direct to patients while maintaining a positive patient relations atmosphere.

C. Interacts with patients, family members, Medical Staff members and other department managers on a continuous basis.

D. Follows aseptic procedures and precautions when involved in direct patient contact or handing potentially infectious materials.

E. Follows safety guidelines and policies for the Healthcare System.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

A. Education: Graduate of an accredited School of Professional Nursing.

B. Personal job-related skills: Effective oral and written communication skills; basic computer knowledge; proficient in interpreting EKG.

C. Licensure, registry or certification: Registered Nurse currently licensed by the State of Texas. BCLS and ACLS preferred

D. Experience

a. Prior Work Experience: One year experience as a professional Registered Nurse preferred

b. Technical Training: Current CPR training

E. Physical and Mental Requirements: Duties of the position require extended periods of standing and walking. Bending, stooping, twisting, reaching and lifting up to 50 pounds. Occasional heavy lifting when moving or supporting patients who may suddenly become weak or helpless. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising client care.