What are the responsibilities and job description for the FT Emergency Room RN position at Morehouse General Hospital?
Emergency Room Job Summary:
ER nurses work in hospital emergency departments. ER nurses often work 12 hours shift and may include nights, weekends and holidays. The emergency department provides 24/7 care. This job can be emotionally and physically demanding since the patient’s volumes and acuity at times can be high. The RN treats a wide variety of medical conditions. The RN plays a crucial role in providing care to patients in urgent or life-threatening situations.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Triage and Patient Assessment:
The ER nurse is the first point of contact for patients in the ED. They are
responsible for assessing and quickly determining the severity of the patient’s
condition and prioritizing care based on the level of emergency.
- Stabilizing Patients:
The ER nurse provides immediate care to stabilize patients with critical conditions,
such as trauma, heart attacks, strokes or severe infections. This can include
administering medications, applying wound care, or preparing patients for surgery.
- Administer Medications and Treatments:
Give medications via various routes (oral, IV, injection) and perform treatments
such as wound cleaning, splinting broken bones, or administering fluids.
- Perform Diagnostics:
ER nurses conduct or assist with diagnostic tests, such as EKGs, blood draws, and
urine tests, to help diagnose the patient’s condition.
- Collaborating with the medical team:
ER nurses work closely with doctors, nurse practitioners, and specialists to
implement care plans and ensure patients receive appropriate and timely treatment.
- Emergency Response:
ER nurses respond to rapid deterioration in patients, performing life-saving
interventions such as CPR, administering emergency medications, or using
defibrillators.
- Patient and family communication:
ER nurses explain diagnoses , procedures, and treatments to patients and their
families, often in high-stress, time-sensitive situations. They provide emotional
support and answer questions regarding care.
- Transferring Patients:
ER nurses arrange for patients to be transferred to other departments (ICU,
MedSurg, OB and possibly surgery) or other facilities for higher level of care. ER
nurses arrange follow-up appointments for discharged patients and provide
follow-up instructions. ER nurses set up transfers via ground, helicopter, or fixed
wing transport.
- Maintains Detailed Records:
Accurate documentation of all patient care activities, assessments, and treatment
responses is critical in emergency settings.
- Handling Trauma and Crisis situations:
ER nurses are trained to handle trauma cases such as accidents, shootings, or
severe burns, and they work effectively under pressure in fast-paced environments.
- Infection Control and Safety:
ER nurses follow strict protocols to prevent the spread of infections and ensure
patient safety in the ER.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Critical Thinking and Quick Decision-Making
ER nurse must assess situations rapidly and make quick, informed decisions
regarding patient care.
- Adaptability
ER nurse must be able to adapt quickly, the environment is unpredictable,
situations change rapidly.
- Strong Communication
Effective communication with patients, families, and the healthcare team is vital,
particularly in emergency situations.
- Calm under pressure
ER nurse must stay calm in high-pressure, high-stress situations to provide
efficient and effective care.
- Technical Proficiency
ER nurse must be skilled in using medical equipment such as EKG machines,
defibrillators, ventilators, and IV pumps.
Teamwork
ER nurse must be able to collaborate with other health professionals to deliver
coordinated and immediate care in the ER.
Education and Certification:
- Registered nurse license: Valid Louisiana license.
- 2 years of emergency nursing is preferred
- Bachelor’s degree or associate degree
- BLS, ACLS, PALS
- TNCC is preferred
- Emergency Nursing Certification is preferred
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $35.00 - $45.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $35 - $45
