Emergency Department RN

The registered nurse is accountable for the provisions of nursing care to all patients in the Emergency Department, including the provision of nursing care to trauma patients. The registered nurse will prescribe, delegate and coordinate that care as part of their daily responsibility. The registered nurse will also participate in unit management, staff orientation and self development.

Nursing Skills

• Collects relevant patient data or reviews data collection on admission and ongoing to assure holistic assessment.
• Assesses the demands of the patient's illness on the patient and the patient's potential for adaptation.
• Continuously analyzes patient data to identify patient's needs using nursing diagnosis.
• Takes responsibility for assuring patient's needs are being met while in the Emergency Department.
• Educates patients in self care, prevention, medication, treatments, procedures, disease, symptom management, etc. Uses available resources and assures that education needs are met for all patients.
• Develops update and/or give patient education programming.
• Initiates discharge planning on admission and ongoing preparing the patient/family for timely discharges including transfer and discharge sheets and assures that discharge planning has been done that meets the patient's/family's needs.h

Nursing Responsibilities

• Performs nursing skills according to REHC policies and procedures using proper body mechanics and universal precautions.
• Revises and updates current policies and procedures and develops new ones as needed.
• Implements physician orders correctly and in a timely manner.
• Manages multiple patient care situations, prioritizes to meet all patient needs.
• Documents according to charting guidelines.
• Serves as a teacher and role model to others.
• Identifies self to patients and others, explains procedures and uses good communication techniques.
• Recognizes and intervenes when pertinent pt changes occur. Reports this to necessary staff.
• Able to perform in crisis or complex situations grasping problem and managing team work.
• Identifies education needs for the unit, assists in providing needed staff development.
• Attends educational offerings that enhance knowledge in current role at REHC and contributes to the overall mission of REHC.

Patient Care

• Use proper safety and infection control procedures.
• Perform all tasks specific to area of expertise: airway management, cardiac rhythm interpretation, and IV therapy, medication administration, recording and reporting specific monitor readings. (Competencies will be done yearly as determined by Emergency Services Manager)
• Communicates patient/family observations to appropriate team members.
• Demonstrates consideration of age, developmental, physical, social, emotional and cultural needs of patients and families in all communication and encounters.
• Demonstrates respect for patient, visitor and employee rights consistent with hospital policy. (Informed consent, confidentiality, privacy)
• Provides care which recognizes all aspects of patient/family need, including biologic, psycho-social, emotional, and spiritual needs.
• Transports/transfers patient safely, using proper body mechanics.
• Assist with patient/family education.
• Perform basic personal care.
• Familiar with hospital emergency response plans and is able to carry out assigned tasks.
• Assist in acute care area as needed.
• Assists with patient discharge as directed by Provider.
• Other duties as assigned by Provider.

Collaboration

• In constant communication with the provider regarding plan of care.
• Assists REHC to maintain compliance with rules and regulations of governing bodies.
• Recognizes when standards are not being met and make changes that effectively brings the organization into compliance.
• Assists in other departments as assigned and helps other staff as needed to meet patient needs.
• Seeks opportunity to help out in other departments or to assist other staff to assure all patient's are having their needs met.
• Confirmed by peers as effective team leader.
• Utilizes each staff member's expertise and delegates appropriately according to patient needs and acuity.
• Assists in orientation of staff with courtesy and respect including skill development, problem solving and decision-making.
• Takes an active role in assuring that new employees are oriented in all aspects of the job, evaluating progress, and devising learning opportunities that meet the needs of the new employee.

Unit Management

• Participates in daily unit management by taking charge assignment as needed.
• Initiates decision making with and in the absence of the Nurse Manager.
• Ensures daily staffing requirements are met.
• Makes staffing decisions which enhance cost and quality effectiveness.
• Maintains proper equipment and supply.
• Enhances cost and quality effectiveness by identifying when changes in equipment and supplies need to be made.
• Monitors and documents staff performance and gives to manager as appropriate.
• Works with staff to improve their performance.
• Assists in evaluating standards of care through continuous quality activities and through follow-up patient phone calls.
• Implements changes based on quality improvement findings.
• Supports the philosophy and objectives of the department of nursing.
• Promotes and influences a positive atmosphere in the department of nursing.

Emergency Department

TRAUMA

• Recognizes and leads emergency situations such as codes, lab abnormalities.
• Assessment, analysis, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation of interventions, outcome identification and evaluation of human responses of individuals in emergency situations.
• Assures Code Blue documentation completeness.
• Triage and prioritization.
• Emergency operations preparedness.
• Stabilization and resuscitation.
• Provision of care in uncontrolled or unpredictable environments.
• Consistency as much as possible across the continuum of care.
• Maintains competency and knowledge in OB situations.

Relationship Management

• Treats patients and all others with courtesy and respect.
• Strives to welcome and be helpful towards any customers in contact with.
• Receives no patient/family/staff dissatisfaction comments annually.
• Effectively manages relationships with co-workers.
• Confronts negative attitudes and addresses conflicts appropriately.
• Adheres to the Bill of Rights and follows confidentiality policy.