Description

Job Summary

Provides direct and indirect patient care in the Infusion Therapy 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Infusion Therapy RNs administer therapy IV fluids directly into the patient's veins or via peripherally inserted central catheters. These professionals might also be in charge of scheduling as well as pre-treatment preparation like taking vitals and cleaning treatment equipment. In addition, the RN might be tasked with providing education and follow-up care after patients have been released from therapy.

• Performs appropriate assessment of physical, social, and psychological status (including cognitive, communicative and developmental skills as appropriate).
• Seeks and evaluates information acquired from other members of interdisciplinary team: patient, family, physician, non-nursing disciplines, support staff, others.
• Uses assessment information and critical thinking skills to collaboratively develop individualized plan of care.
• Actively seeks patient, family, team, and physician involvement to develop plan of care including needed education.
• Collaboratively plans and prepares patients for further support needs once the current episode of care outcomes are met (i.e., teaching, referrals, and follow-up).
• Directs the interdisciplinary care team via delegation, coordination and collaboration as appropriate.
• Provides or delegates care consistent with plan of care, guidelines of care and professional licensure provisions.
• Demonstrates the ability to set priorities and to coordinate and organize patient care delivery through effectively managing time, supplies, and resources.
• Evaluates patient response to interventions through review of achievement of goals, clinical outcomes, patient and family satisfaction.
• Revises plan of care as indicated, and reassesses changes as appropriate.
• Promotes nursing profession and participate in development of others.
• Integrates legal and ethical standards into practice: complies with regulatory standards, practices within scope of licensure, provides accurate & timely documentation, and understands legal implications of care delivery.
• Assists in maintaining highly specialized therapy with complicated equipment, assesses the patient's condition, and monitors medication and treatment.
• Develops and revises plan of care to meet changing wound care and skin care needs of the patient.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Provides direct patient care, evaluates outcomes, consults with other specialists as required and adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care.
• Interacts professionally with patient and family and involves patient and family in the formation of the plan of care.
• Ensures an adequate stock of supplies and proper functioning of equipment.
• Follows the seven (7) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Documentation meets current standards and policies and is completed within the shift.
• Maintains current knowledge of medications and IV fluids and their correct administration based on age of the patient and his/her clinical condition.
• Maintains a good working relationship and effective communication bot within the department and with other departments for the benefit of the patient.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-services and workshops; shows responsibility for own professional practice and ongoing education.
• Knowledgeable of the anatomy and physiology and disorders of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary and dermal systems.
• Utilizes principles of current wound management theory when providing care to patients with acute and chronic wounds.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of staging system of wounds.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill to develop and implement policies and procedures to manage patients with draining wounds, fistulae and/or tubes; wound prevention, wound care, ostomy care and incontinence.
• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Demonstrates ability to perform treatments and provide services to level of licensure.
• Wound care / dressing changes as ordered by physician.
• Ensure preauthorization is done and within effective date.
• With down time during patient infusions, consider data abstraction and chart reviews.
• When not with patients, float to medical, ED and surgical end to help.
• Able to pick up nursing shifts in other areas of the hospital PRN.
• Review orders for accuracy with proper dates and signatures.
• Actively engage in quality improvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Associates Degree in Nursing
• Current state Registered Nurse Licensure in Idaho
• Current BLS certification
• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing
• Basic computer knowledge

Preferred Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
• Current ACLS Certification
• Additional languages preferred
• Wound Care Certification OR knowledge of a variety of wound care techniques with the ability to perform procedures as needed

Skills/Competencies

• Read, write, and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos in English.
• Effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form and deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Physical Requirements

Perceive the nature of sounds by the ear, express or exchange ideas by means of spoken word, perceive characteristics of objects through the eyes, extend arms and hands in any direction, seize, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise work with hands, pick, pinch, or otherwise work with fingers, perceive such attributes of objects or materials as size, shape, temperature, or texture; and stoop, kneel crouch, and crawl. Must be able to lift 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting, carrying pushing, and pulling of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Continuous walking and standing. Must be able to identify, match, and distinguish colors. Rare lifting of greater than 100 pounds.