Description

Provides direct and indirect patient care in the medical-surgical setting. Communicates with physicians/Nurse Manager/co-workers, as appropriate about changes in patient’s clinical condition including results of diagnostic studies and symptomatology. Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment. Additionally, is able to perform general nursing duties in all departments with adequate supervision.

Requirements

Minimum Qualification:

• Graduate of an accredited School of Registered Nursing
• Current RN license from the Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners with renewal as required by law
• Current BLS certification

Position Description:

• Obtains and records initial assessment and establishes priorities according to patient age, symptoms and psychosocial needs.
• Re-assesses patients systematically to identify progress and trends that require intervention.
• Develops and implements a measurable individualized plan of care for the patient within the time frame established by Nursing Standards of Care.
• Makes comprehensive nursing decisions based on the interpretation of facts and evaluations of patient outcome; modifies the plan of care based upon the evaluations.
• Participates in patient/significant other health education and discharge planning.
• Implements and documents timely interventions appropriate to patient needs.
• Delegates unit work assignments appropriately to ensure completion of required patient care support activities.
• Coordinates team assignments and makes adjustments based upon patient and unit needs; follows up on delegate patient care tasks for quality and completeness.
• Utilizes the appropriate chain of command for resolution of difficult issues.
• Participates in orientation of new staff/students on the unit.
• Maintains neat, organized and safe environment for patients and staff.
• Functions as a resource to visitors, physicians and staff; greeting them promptly and courteously with eye contact and a pleasant expression and tone of voice.
• Promotes a positive work environment as evidenced by; demonstrating a professional, supportive attitude for the unit staff; being receptive and responsive to new ideas; and being flexible to changing systems.
• Participates in the unit’s continuous quality improvement plan to improve organizational performance.
• Collaborates by working with others to achieve unit and organizational goals.
• Responds within the 30 minutes response time when on-call.
• Attends mandatory meetings held within the department.
• Adjust work hours/schedule to meet the needs and demands of the department and hospital.
• Cross-training to allow for flexibility in filling nurse staffing needs of the hospital.
• Competencies in nursing procedures and patient care are met and documented.
• Aware of all Emergency Disaster Plans and how to respond if a Disaster occurs.
• Works effectively with others, demonstrates leadership and teaching ability and the ability to work under pressure.

Demonstrates competency in the following areas:

Ability to perform a head-to-toe assessment and reassessments on all patients as per policy. This includes: pediatric, geriatric and the general population.

• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and their clinical condition.
• Follows the seven (7) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure patients’ needs are met and hospital policy is followed.
• Ability to perform waived testing (point of care testing) per Clinical Laboratory’s and the patient care unit’s policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret the results of waived tests; takes appropriate action on waived test results.
• Ability to revise plan of care as indicated by the patient’s response to treatment and evaluate the overall plan daily for effectiveness.
• Formulates a teaching plan based upon identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning. Family is included in teaching as appropriate.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to physicians, staff, Nurse Executive and administrative team.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and family. Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians and other healthcare providers.
• Maintain operational aspects of the patient care units in collaboration with other service areas.

Professional Requirements:

• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Completes annual education requirements.
• Maintains regulatory requirements, including all federal, state, local regulations and accrediting organization standards.
• Maintains and ensures patient confidentiality at all times.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time.
• Wears identification while on duty, uses computerized punch time system correctly.
• Completes inservices and returns in a timely fashion.
• Attends annual review and department inservices, as scheduled.
• Attends all staff meetings as required.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the hospital, as well as the focus statement of the department.
• Appreciation of and desire to be part of a health care team dedicated to providing patients optimal care.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of medications and pharmacology at a level appropriate to the scope of licensure and professional expertise
• General practice nursing and medical terminology
• Standard diagnostic and medical equipment and instruments
• Basic Microsoft computer skills

Additional Requirements with or without Reasonable Accommodation:

Ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, push, stoop, reach above the shoulder, grasp, pull, bend repeatedly, identify colors, hear with aid, see, write, count, read, speak, communicate in English, analyze, alphabetize, lift and carry over 100 lbs, perceive depth.

Conditions include working inside, working around machines with moving parts and moving objects, radiant and electrical energy, working closely with others, working alone, working protracted or irregular hours. Exposure to body fluids and/or infection from disease-bearing specimens, exposure to chemicals/biohazardous/radioactive substances, exposure to explosive/flammable chemicals or gases, exposure to patient/visitors under a wide variety of circumstances.

Mental demands include; alertness, analytic ability, memory, concentration, judgment, initiative, precision, creativity and communication.