Job Objective:

In addition to the objective outlined in the AVH Registered Nurse (RN) Job Description, the Couplet Care RN is responsible for providing nursing care for postpartum mothers and newborn infants guided by the policies and procedures of the unit. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, initial and ongoing assessment of the newborn and mother, patient education regarding infant and postpartum care, and preparation for discharge.

Duties and Responsibilities :

Non-Essential Duties:

Copying, faxing.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Core Competencies: All AVH employees will effectively demonstrate these behaviors:

Accountability Action Oriented Customer Focused Compassion

Effective Communication Teamwork

Ethics & Values Integrity & Trust

Education and Experience:

Education

Required:

• Graduate from a school of nursing
• Completes twenty (20) hours of training in Breastfeeding and Lactation within 6 months of hire.
• Completes Couplet Care Core Competencies during orientation period .

Desired:

• BSN or MSN

Experience

Two (2) years recent clinical experience in Maternal/Newborn Nursing specialty area preferred.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

Required:

• Meets all required licensure and/or certifications of the Registered
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification required within 6 months from date of hire t o Couplet
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is required for Couplet Care Charge

Desired :

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is encouraged for all Couplet Care
• Certification in Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN) .
• STABLE Program

AVH Conduct/Compliance Expectations:

• Ability to adhere with AVH Absenteeism and Tardiness Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Leaves of Absence Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Recording of Hours Worked Policy
• Ability to adhere to the department dress code
• Ability to organize work and establish priorities
• Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties
• Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette/standards
• Conforms to AVH Standards of Excellence
• Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters
• Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff
• Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVH
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information
• Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations
• Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties
• Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures
• Conforms with required and appropriate Joint Commission requirements
• Conforms with and supports hospital quality assurance and improvement guidelines
• Ability to participate effectively in department and hospital staff education
• Display a willingness to work as a team player
• Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times
• Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVH Board of Directors
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Compliance & Integrity Program and its requirements; complies with duty to report behavior standard; demonstrates understanding of purpose for a Compliance hotline and the importance of seeking guidance from a supervisor or the Compliance Officer when in doubt regarding a possible compliance issue
• Ability to follow the Code of Business Conduct (Standards of Business Ethics and Integrity)

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Work often performed under stressful, emotional, and physical
• Requires frequent walking, standing, bending, twisting and reaching, and must be able to speak, see, and hear.
• Ability to frequently lift, push and pull up to 25 lbs .
• Ability to occasionally assist, as part of team , in lifting, pushing and/or pulling patients for the transfer of care, requiring exertion of up to and over 50 lbs.
• Must be able to operate technical equipment in the Couplet Care area safely and in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.

A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.

Job Objective :

A Registered Nurse is responsible for the nursing care of patients as established by the Nursing Practice Act of the Board of Registered Nursing of the State of California and as guided by policies and procedures of the hospital.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Nursing Process

• Applies nursing process in direct patient care:
• Provides accurate assessment and documentation of physiological, psycho social, cultural, developmental, socioeconomic, and spiritual needs of patient as evidenced by assessment within time frame appropriate for level of care
• Provides logical sequence of action, updates nursing care plan as evidenced by notations on care plan, provides evaluation each shift of patient’s progress In relation to the patient care plan, if applicable to area of care
• Provides Information to patient/family relating to educational resources available, Directs patient/family educational process
• Provides discharge planning beginning on admission with appropriate referrals and update as required by the patient
• Adheres to the admission and transfer criteria
• Adheres to all current policies and procedures in providing patient care and seeks clarification if needed.
• Evaluates and documents outcomes of medical, nursing, and ancillary team interventions
• Incorporates time management skills in accomplishing care

2. Nursing Care Delivery Process

• Knowledgeable regarding current nursing practices and procedures

• Knowledge of legal aspects of nursing care
• Demonstrates knowledge of legal documents pertinent to unit/area of care
• Demonstrates knowledge of Patient rights
• Acts as liaison between medical staff and patient care team

3. Technical Equipment

• Able to operate technical equipment in area of care, safely, efficiently, and accurately

4. Environment

• Assists in maintenance of a safe, comfortable and therapeutic environment
• Assesses safety/cleanliness of patient/unit environment and reports conditions requiring change
• Utilizes resources, equipment, and supplies efficiently and with cost awareness
• Reports hazardous conditions to appropriate department for correction
• Uses clean and aseptic techniques for protection of patients and personal safety
• Prevents contamination and/or transfer of Infection by use of the Exposure Control Plan and Standard Precautions in daily work
• Demonstrates knowledge of emergency codes

5. Leadership/Professionalism

• Supervises care provided by others

• Maintains professional attitude and effective working relationships with fellow staff members, other departments, patients’ families, medical staff and volunteers
• Functions appropriately and effectively under pressure. Provides care as part of team effort in crisis or emergency situation
• Adheres to all privacy laws when dealing with confidential and protected health information (PHI)
• Maintains the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information
• Adheres to the Code of Conduct
• Adheres to all Antelope Valley Hospital Compliance & Integrity Program policies and procedures including the duty to report compliance violations and the duty to disclose conflicts of interest
• Completion of all mandatory initial and annual training within assigned time frames per established guidelines
• Demonstrates ethical decision making, integrity, and a willingness to promote a culture of safety

6. Communication

• Communicates effectively with patients, families, visitors, and physicians
• Responsible for problem solving and crisis intervention related to physicians, patients, families, and staff
• Follows the Chain of Command and Conflict Management process established by AVH
• Displays a willingness to follow directions and to accept and utilize constructive criticism

7. Age Specific & Cultural Requirement

• Demonstrate knowledge regarding special needs and behaviors of age specific and cultural groups
• Participates in age specific and cultural educational and training programs
• Demonstrates proficiency in required age specific and cultural competencies

Non-Essential Duties:

• Participates on unit or hospital based committees
• Other duties as assigned, within compliance with Title 22, The Joint Commission, and CMS.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVH Board of Directors
• Conforms to required accreditation standards.
• Conforms with and supports hospital quality management and performance improvement guidelines

Skills

• Skill and ability to follow telephone etiquette/standards
• Displays a willingness to work as a team player
• Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties

Abilities

• Ability to adhere to all established AVH policies and procedures and to interpret and function under these.
• Ability to organize work and establish priorities
• Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties
• Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters
• Ability to relieve clerical staff at desk, or to adopt any function commonly assigned to unlicensed
• assistive personnel, or as allowed within scope of nursing practice, as needed
• Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times
• Ability to be flexible in meeting staffing requirements of the facility
• Ability to meet basic health requirements and physical job standards

Education and Experience:

Education

Adheres to required educational standards

• Maintains current licensure, certifications, education, and physical health standards

Participates in mandatory and/or optional educational activities/offerings. Attends staff meetings regularly and as required by assigned unit

• Demonstrates knowledge and competency on hospital information technologies used in the designated patient care area.
• Successfully completes written and practical competencies annually or otherwise as assigned.

Experience

• Two years’ acute care nursing preferred, new grad training provided as appropriate

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Current California Registered Nursing license
• BCLS Certification
• ACLS, PALS, and/or other additional Certifications required for some specialty areas

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Work often performed under stressful, emotional, and physical conditions
• Accepts additional workload during times of unexpected circumstances, e.g., high activity, high census, and sudden emergencies
• May be exposed to contaminated instruments that may cause infections, burns, or cuts
• May also be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and risk of radiation

A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.

*Per Diem/ Varied Weekends Only*

Education and Experience:

Education

Required:

• Graduate from a school of nursing
• Completes twenty (20) hours of training in Breastfeeding and Lactation within 6 months of hire.
• Completes Couplet Care Core Competencies during orientation period .

Desired:

• BSN or MSN

Experience

Two (2) years recent clinical experience in Maternal/Newborn Nursing specialty area preferred.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

Required:

• Meets all required licensure and/or certifications of the Registered
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification required within 6 months from date of hire t o Couplet
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is required for Couplet Care Charge

Desired :

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is encouraged for all Couplet Care
• Certification in Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN) .
STABLE Program

*Per Diem/ Varied Weekends Only*