POSITION SUMMARY :

Responsible for the delivery of patient care through the nursing process of assessment, diagnosing, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Responsible for directing and coordinating all nursing care for departmental specific patients based on established clinical nursing practice standards. Collaborates with other professional disciplines to ensure effective and efficient patient care delivery and the achievement of desired patient outcomes. Supports the organization vision and mission. Utilizes knowledge of patient’s age and cultural diversity into the provision of patient care. Contributes to the provision of quality nursing care through performance improvement techniques that demonstrate positive outcomes in patient care.

POSITION EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS :

¨ Graduate of accredited school of nursing required (BSN Preferred)

¨ Current registered nurse’s license in the State of Texas

¨ Current BLS certification required

¨ Annual Neonatal emergency response class and competency obtained within 6 months of hire

¨ ACLS certification required for all charge nurses before assigned duty

¨ Willingness to be crossed trained to other areas

¨ Willingness to float to similar clinical areas

¨ Willingness to be trained for charge nurse

¨ Willingness to become a preceptor after one year of nursing experience

¨ Must be able to be sensitive to cultural and bilingual issues

¨ Good written and verbal communication skills required

¨ Ability to read, write and speak English required

¨ Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with all levels of nursing, administration, and physicians

¨ Hospital experience preferred

JOB KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE :

Ability to practice nursing as described by the following definition: “The diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health alternations.” Ability to utilize the best nursing process in the provision of nursing care including but not limited to administering treatments and medications, interpreting diagnostic tests, formulating a plan of care, collaborating with other health care providers and providing education to patients and/or significant others. The successful candidate will be required to pass competencies for this position.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES :

¨ Promotes the facility mission, vision and values by effectively communicating them to others. Considers mission, vision and values in developing services, standards and practice

¨ Ensures that care is delivered to each patient in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act of the State of Texas and ANA Standards of Clinical Nursing Practice.

¨ Performs nursing care using sound judgment.

¨ Implements physician’s orders in a safe and accurate manner.

¨ Assists with admitting, discharging and transferring patients.

¨ Transcribes and implements new physician orders.

¨ Adapts to the needs of the unit by demonstrating flexibility/adaptability.

¨ Maintains detailed and accurate records of nursing actions.

¨ Participates in health/therapeutic counseling, teaching/emotional support for patients and significant others.

¨ Makes rounds on assigned patients and prioritizes patient’s needs.

¨ Maintains a safe and clean environment for patients and co-workers.

¨ Provides and receives reports in a status of patients at the change of shifts.

¨ Administers medication and therapies within the scope of safe nursing practice.

¨ Formulates, modifies and implements goal oriented patient care plans according to facility policies.

¨ Assumes responsibility to report clinical limitations or the need for assistance to the Charge Nurse or Director.

¨ Performs other duties as assigned.

¨ Abides by the rules and regulations set forth by the Board of Nurse Examiners

¨ Adheres to policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of services

¨ Informs the Director of any anticipated and/or actual issues/problems.

¨ Maintains current with all new policies and procedures published.

¨ Provides direction to licensed and non licensed staff in the delivery of patient care.

¨ Anticipates potential problems situations and intervenes to offset any adverse impact.

¨ Contacts the organ procurement organization in order to satisfy regulatory requirements for the determination of medical suitability for organ, tissue and eye donation; completes certificate of referral/request and places same in the medical record.

¨ Builds a positive work environment by guiding employees to support the mission of the hospital, providing developmental opportunities and encouraging teamwork.

¨ Ensures the distribution and delivery of equipment/supplies as necessary.

¨ Collaborates with Charge Nurses to make unit decisions in coordination with Unit Director or in the absence of the Unit Director.

¨ Ensures care is delivered to each patient in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act of the State of Texas and ANA Standards of Clinical Nursing Practice.

Standard I: Quality of Care

The nurse systematically evaluates the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice.

Standard II: Performance Appraisal

The nurse evaluates his/her own nursing practice in relation to professional practice standards and relevant statues and regulations.

Standard III: Education

The nurse acquires and maintains current knowledge in nursing practice.

Standard IV: Collegiality

The nurse contributes to the professional development of peers, colleagues, and others.

Standard V: Ethics

The nurse’s decisions and actions on behalf of patients are determined in an ethical manner.

Standard VI: Collaboration

The nurse collaborates with the patient, significant other, and health care providers in providing patient care.

Standard VII: Research

The nurse uses research findings in practice.

Standard VIII: Resource Utilization

The nurse considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, and cost in planning and delivering patient care.

Standard IX: Practice Environment

The nurse contributes to the environment of care delivery within the practice settings.

Standard X: Accountability

The nurse is professionally and legally accountable for his/her practice. The professional registered nurse may delegate to and supervise qualified personnel who provide patient care. Builds a positive work environment by guiding employees to support the mission of the hospital, providing developmental opportunities and encouraging teamwork.