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:

• 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

• Nursing Care Delivery Process

Knowledgeable regarding current nursing practices and procedures

• Demonstrates knowledge and use of resources and forms
• Demonstrates knowledge of hospital structure and administrative resources
• Demonstrates ability to interpret rules and regulations

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

• Technical Equipment

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

• 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

• Leadership/Professionalism

Supervises care provided by others

• Assumes responsibilityfor quality of care given
• Gives accurate and concise patient care report to appropriate persons
• Gives accurate, concise patient care reports
• Demonstrates knowledge of scheduling guidelines

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

• 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

• 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

AVH Values: All AVH employees will effectively demonstrate these values:

Patients Come First – We listen actively and communicate with our patients and families, placing safety as a top priority.
Accountability & Ownership – We fully complete tasks, are transparent, effectively communicate, and recognize that what we do reflects on us.
Teamwork – We build trusting relationships, promote a sense of community, and are respectful of everyone. Success is about the whole team.
Integrity & Honesty – We tell the truth at all times, speak up when something is wrong, and do the right thing when no one is looking.
Excellence – We take pride in our work, are goal-oriented, and on a never-ending quest for top tier quality.
Initiative & Innovation – Our can-do attitudes, creativity, and resourcefulness empower us to improve the patient’s experience, solve our own problems, make timely decisions, and look for opportunities to add value.
Tenderness & Compassion – We have genuine empathy, show kindness, and encourage and advocate for each other.

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

• Resuscitation credentials such as (BLS, ACLS, PALS, etc) are required before completion of orientation period.

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 The 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 established policies.
Ability to follow the Code of Conduct

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.

NOTE: THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO THIS JOB. THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

Job Objective:

In addition to the objective outlined in the AVH Registered Nurse (RN) Job Description, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) RN is responsible for nursing care of preterm and/or newborn infants in distress or having difficulty in the transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life, guided by the policies and procedures of the unit.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Meets all the essential duties and responsibilities of the Registered Nurse (RN).
• Additional duties and responsibilities of the NICU RN:
  • Assesses unique developmental needs of neonates and recognizes both normal and abnormal patterns of development.
  • Assists families through stages of grief and loss as needed.
  • Provides quality care with accurate assessment, interventions, and documentation for the low to high risk neonate.
  • Provides newborn care to the infant at delivery.
  • Provides age specific education for infant, adolescent and adult.

Non-Essential Duties:

Copying, faxing.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Possesses all the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities of the Registered Nurse (RN).
• Demonstrates knowledge of the mandated reporting laws.
• Demonstrates knowledge of infant and child safety measures and abduction prevention program.

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 an accredited school of nursing.
Attends a minimum of six (6) Neonatal Nursing Rounds annually.
Completes twenty (20) hours of training in Breastfeeding and Lactation within 6 months of hire.

Desired:

BSN or MSN preferred.

Experience

Two (2) years recent clinical experience in NICU specialty area preferred.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

Required:

Meets all required licensure and/or certifications of the Registered Nurse.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification required within 6 months from date of hire to NICU.

Desired:

Certification in Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC) or Critical Care Neonatal Nursing (CCRN-Neonatal).
STABLE Program certification.

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 conditions.
May be exposed to contaminated Instruments that may cause Infections, burns, or cuts.
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.
Must be able to operate technical equipment in the NICU 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.

NOTE: THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO THIS JOB. THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

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

• Resuscitation credentials such as (BLS, ACLS, PALS, etc) are required before completion of orientation period.

NICU Specific:

Education

Required:

Graduate from an accredited school of nursing.
Attends a minimum of six (6) Neonatal Nursing Rounds annually.
Completes twenty (20) hours of training in Breastfeeding and Lactation within 6 months of hire.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

Required:

Meets all required licensure and/or certifications of the Registered Nurse.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification required within 6 months from date of hire to NICU.