Registered Nurse

Overview

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The Registered Nurse requires substantial specialized knowledge, judgement and nursing skills based upon the principles of psychological, biological, physical, and social sciences in the application of the nursing process in the respective departments in which assigned.

The RN must collaborate with physicians and multidisciplinary team members; provide physical and psychological support to patients, friends, and families; supervising assigned team members and students.

Responsibilities

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• Completes patient assessments; develops, implements, evaluates, and revises the plan of care utilizing critical thinking skills.
• Performs nursing acts authorized by the Board of Nursing and consistent with the American Nurses Association Standards of Practice and nationally accepted standards for registered nurses.
• Provides patient care, counseling, health teaching, and health promotion utilizing the Teach Back methodology to validate patient understanding.
• Administers medications, intravenous therapy, and treatments as prescribed by a Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP).
• Supervises, delegates, and follows through with other personnel in the performance of nursing care activities.
• Serves as a mentor and preceptor for students and newly hired staff as assigned.
• Reports pertinent information through the appropriate chain of command, including the Clinical Nurse Manager, Nurse Manager, and House Nurse Coordinator.
• Participates on committees, teams, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Maintains a safe and secure environment for patients, coworkers, and self.
• Participates in discharge planning and transition of care activities and identifies patient needs.
• Advocates for patients and escalates patient concerns in a timely manner.
• Accurately and promptly documents patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in the medical record.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living and functions as an active member of the healthcare team.
• Assumes responsibility for ongoing professional growth and development.
• Demonstrates effective communication and active listening skills while maintaining a compassionate and empathetic approach to patient care.
• Utilizes SBAR communication techniques and performs bedside shift reporting utilizing SBAR when appropriate.
• Serves as a positive role model and adheres to professional standards of conduct.
• Maintains patient dignity, privacy, and confidentiality.
• Adheres to all requirements outlined in the Special Addendum and Staff Nurse Position Description.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EMERGENCY ROOM TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Training for personnel assigned to the Emergency Department shall include:

• State and federal regulations related to emergency services.
• Nursing management of trauma patients.
• Nursing management of cardiac-related disorders.
• Performance and interpretation of EKG procedures and appropriate nursing interventions.
• Pharmacological interventions, including intravenous therapy.
• Patient assessment and triage procedures.
• Nursing management of pediatric emergencies.
• Medicolegal aspects of emergency nursing, including proper documentation.
• Nursing management of obstetrical emergencies.
• Recognition and management of patient and family emotional responses.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and airway management.

Qualifications

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Education:

• Associate's Degree from an accredited school of nursing required.
• Bachelor's Degree preferred.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of one (1) year of acute care nursing experience preferred.
• One (1) year of experience should be relevant to the specific department in which the employee will be working. Refer to departmental addendums for additional requirements.
• Experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR) preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with providers at all levels.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to influence others and achieve desired outcomes.
• Ability to follow direction and facilitate a work environment conducive to change in a complex healthcare system.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills.
• Basic computer skills required.
• Ability to successfully pass a medication examination.
• Completion of a hospital-approved training program and documented competency in emergency care procedures as determined by the Director of Nursing Services.
• Completion of Moderate Sedation training.
• Completion of Stroke Modules.
• Completion of Restraint training.
• Must be adequately oriented to unit policies, procedures, equipment, safety practices, infection control standards, and performance improvement monitoring processes.

Licensure/Certification:

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the state of practice required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• De-Escalation Training within six (6) months of hire required.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification required.
• Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum (TNCC) certification required.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification required.
• NIH Stroke Certification required.
• Advanced Dysrhythmia/EKG certification required.
• Rural Trauma Team Development Course (RTTDC) preferred.
• Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course (ENPC) preferred.