Description

Provides direct and indirect patient care in the emergency care setting. Provides care that reflects initiative, flexibility and responsibility indicative of professional expectation with a minimum of supervision. Is able to triage safely, rapidly and accurately, every patient that enters the emergency care system. Determines priorities of care based on physical and psychosocial needs, as well as factors influencing patient flow through the system. Communicates with Emergency Department physicians about changes in patient's status, symptomatology and results of diagnostic studies. Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program
• Current nursing license, in good standing with the State licensing board
• Minimum of one (1) year Emergency Room (ER) Nurses experience preferred.
• Cognitive skills as related to the position

Position Responsibilities

The Emergency Room Registered Nurse provides direct and individualized nursing care to patients based on the application of scientific nursing principles. In addition to general nursing care, responsibilities of Emergency Room Registered Nurses include, but are not limited to:

• Collects current symptoms, as well as a detailed patient history and then consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans
• Performs triage, while considering both physical and psychosocial elements
• Manages basic life support needs and stabilizes patients until the attending physician is available, based upon nursing standards and protocol
• Initiates corrective action whenever information from monitoring equipment shows adverse symptomatology
• Records patients’ current vital signs
• Works directly under physicians, assisting them during exams, diagnostic testing and treatments
• Prepares, administers, (orally, subcutaneously, through an IV), and records prescribed medications.
• Reports adverse reactions to medications or treatments in accordance with the policy regarding the administration of medications by a licensed registered nurse.
• Provides IV therapy
• Cleans and bandages wounds
• Provides basic, bedside care
• Maintains proper supplies and appropriate medical equipment to care for patients
• Reports any suspected abuse to the appropriate agencies
• Initiates patient education plan, as prescribed by physician. Teaches patients and significant others how to manage their illness/injury, by explaining: post-treatment home care needs, diet/nutrition/exercise, self-administration of medication and rehabilitation, as well as provides referrals to other healthcare professionals for follow-up treatment.
• Displays professionalism while completing multiple urgent tasks in a timely manner
• Records all care information concisely, accurately and completely, in a timely manner, in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms/EMR.
• Performs other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment setting

Depending on setting, may also:

• Float among various clinical services, where qualified and competent.

Other Responsibilities

• Completes required orientation as directed by Cogdell Memorial Hospital.
• Follows facility and OSHA safety rules and procedures while on assignment
• Respects cultural and religious practices of patients
• Upholds HIPAA regulations
• Punctual and dependable for assigned/confirmed shifts

Working Conditions

Because patients need round-the-clock care, working hours include days, nights, weekends and holidays. Nurses spend considerable time walking, bending, stretching and standing, so they must follow proper body mechanics to guard against injury. Because of the fast-paced and variable environment of emergency rooms, an Emergency Room Registered Nurse must possess good stress coping skills and be able to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds. The nurse must be able to work accurately around frequent interruptions. Emergency Room Registered Nurses may face hazards from exposure to chemicals and infectious diseases. In addition, they treat patients that may be confused, irrational, agitated, and/or uncooperative.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift twenty (20) pounds. Moving, lifting or transferring of patients may involve lifting of up to fifty (50) pounds
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
• Ability to bend, lean and stoop without hindrance; full range of body motion
• Fine motor skills
• Visual acuity; normal range of hearing

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach forward with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift or move 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The overall physical demand rating for a job of the nurse falls within the Medium classification (exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work) according to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

Mental demands include; alertness, analytic ability, retention/recall of information, concentration, judgment, initiative, precision, creativity and communication.